Anyone Can Build
For Bla(c)k Women and Women of Colour
Anyone Can Build is a 100% scholarship-based pre-accelerator for Bla(c)k women and Women of Colour in Queensland to take your startup to the next level in 13 weeks. You’ll get $1k co-matched funding, validate your idea, build a better product and pitch your business idea to mentors and investors. In 2025, we delivered the Anyone Can Build program for the Queensland Government.
This year's applications are now closed.
As seen in
About The Program
Anyone Can is a 13-week pre-accelerator program designed to empower CALD women founders to start a business. Led by experienced founders and investors, many of whom are successful CALD women entrepreneurs, this program provides a safe, inclusive space where you can develop your ideas, connect with mentors, and gain the confidence to take your Innovation-Driven Enterprise (IDE) to the next level.
Anyone Can is designed to support you:
✓ Develop the skills and confidence to turn ideas into action.
✓ Connect with a community of CALD founders and mentors who share your vision.
✓ Access tools, knowledge, and networks that empower you to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.
✓ Test and grow your idea with $1,000 AUD co-matched funding opportunity (GST inclusive).
“We don’t need to wait for a seat at the table. We’re making a new and improved one”
Applications are now closed.
If you’re interested in future cohorts, please express your interest below. We’ll contact you as soon as the program opens. For any questions? Contact hello@thecco.com.au
Express Your InterestAnyone Can’s Backstory
We have a deep care for the start-up community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Black Women, and Women of Colour. Before launching our program, we conducted Australia's first research into funding equity, which helped us understand the support that these founders require. This research culminated in the creation of our startup program, Anyone Can.
Bla(c)k Women and Women of Colour founders supported to enter the startup ecosystem.
Women of colour community members through our Founders Directory.
Average participant satisfaction across our typical programs.
Why Choose Us
Key Benefits
$1,000 Funding pool
A co-matched award pool of up to $1000 raised *Funds available until the pool is exhausted.
Extensive support
Ask questions and get all the answers throughout your 13-week experience.
Safe space
A safe space where as a Bla(c)k or Woman of Colour you're not the "other" or the "token", you make up the family
Mentoring
Weekly 1:1 mentoring with a dedicated mentor
Community
Become a part of a vibrant community of ambitious Bla(c)k and Women of Colour revolutionising the business ecosystem in Australia
Pitch-readiness
Learn to nail your pitch to customers and investors whilst overcoming imposter syndrome
How It Works
01
Apply Today
Apply in 10 minutes Fill out a short expression of interest. Tell us about your idea and why you want to build it.
02
Onboard & Study
Join your cohort 13 weeks of workshops, validation sessions, and 1:1 mentoring. Around 1.5–2 hours of live sessions per week.
03
Pitch Night
Present your startup at our pitch competition. Walk away with a validated concept, $1,000 co-matched funding invested, and a network that keeps lifting you.
Milestones
Our Impact
Effective progress tracking and milestone setting are critical components of any successful project or personal goal. By systematically monitoring our achievements.
10
+
Cohorts to date
160
+
BWoC founders inspired
90
%
Satisfaction rate
90
%
Increase in confidence
Testimonial
What Our Past Cohorts Said
Building alongside people who understand the particular weight of putting yourself forward, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to keep going anyway, that is its own kind of anchor. I didn't just find like-minded people. I found a community I truly feel I belong to.
Kaiyi Zhang
Founder @Harmony Within Living
Personally, one of the biggest shifts has been confidence. Pitching my idea publicly, speaking about my work, and stepping into a founder identity have all stretched me beyond my comfort zone. I’ve noticed a greater ease in expressing myself and sharing my vision with others.
Grace Yap-Kirk
Founder @Holistic Homecoming
I've always believed the universe works with a touch of magic and through the Anyone Can Build program, and the inspiring people I've met, I’ve seen that magic unfold in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.
Giselle Torres Pabo
Co-Founder @Rise
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be part of this program. It has truly been an incredible experience, I’ve loved being part of the group and learning from so many insightful mentors.
Sienna Aguilar
Founder @Grounded Resilience Workshop
Event Highlights
Moments from our past gatherings
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much time am I required to dedicate to the program?
Each week includes around 1.5–2 hours of live contact time, including compulsory Ask Me Anything sessions with experts or mentoring sessions on Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30 PM AEST, plus optional office hours. In addition to live sessions, you should plan to spend 2–5 hours per week (either after work or on the weekend) completing the online modules and applying what you learn to your business. Because places in the program are limited, we strongly recommend checking your schedule before applying to ensure you can commit to the program. This helps us offer places to participants who are able to fully engage and benefit from the experience.
2. I already have a business and/or am progressing on my idea, should I still apply for this program?
Yes, as long as your business or idea is still in the early stages. Anyone Can Build is a pre-accelerator program, best suited for founders who:
- Have an idea, pretotype, or early prototype
- Are still validating their problem, customer, or business model
- Want support to strengthen their foundations before scaling
3. Do I have to pay if I got accepted into the program?
No, you are not required to pay any fee. All places are offered on a scholarship basis thanks to our generous sponsors.
Your idea is ready. So are we.
Real mentorship. $1,000 co-matched funding. A community that gets your context. And zero cost to apply. You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to show up.
Express Your Interest
With Thanks to Our Sponsors & Partners
