What Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship does

Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship is a privately held Australian entrepreneurship education institution founded in 2015 with a A$10 million donation from entrepreneur Peter Wade and headquartered at Ormond College, University of Melbourne, in Parkville, Victoria. The institute operates a curated portfolio of cohort-based programs serving four primary segments: founders and entrepreneurs (Think Like an Entrepreneur, The AI Conundrum, Growth Engine, In Residence), investors (VC Fundamentals, VC Catalyst, Impact Catalyst), corporate innovation teams (Bespoke programs), and educators and schools (UpSchool Complete, UpSchool Introduction, UpSchool Student Challenges). It also co-delivers the University of Melbourne's Master of Entrepreneurship degree, providing academic credentials alongside practitioner-led training.

The core product is a portfolio of intensive, in-person or hybrid programs (typically 3-day formats) supplemented by self-paced online courses (e.g., VC Fundamentals at A$749) and a full-year university degree. Programs include structured post-program support such as 3-month expert follow-on sessions, monthly peer group meetings, 12-month content access, and access to a private community (WhatsApp). The underlying technology is described as an educational curriculum and program delivery platform, with no publicly disclosed proprietary AI/ML systems, patents, or software products; the institute is a content and community business rather than a software business.

Wade generates revenue primarily through program tuition fees, with pricing ranging from A$749 for the self-paced VC Fundamentals course to A$3,450 for The AI Conundrum intensive, plus bespoke corporate engagements. Team pricing (from A$2,250 per person for groups of three or more) and a 25% 'Wader rate' alumni discount are used to drive volume and referrals; full fee remission is available for selected participants where cost is a barrier. Go-to-market is hybrid: direct online registration for individual cohorts, corporate/team sales for organizational buyers, and channel partnerships (notably the University of Melbourne for the Master of Entrepreneurship and LaunchVic for VC Catalyst). Marketing is conducted through content (blog, Substack), a podcast (Wade In Podcast), events (Demo Day, Showcase Pitch Night, AMA sessions), email newsletters, and active social media across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Name

Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship

Legal name

Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship

Website

https://wadeinstitute.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship is an Australian education institution founded in 2015 that delivers cohort-based programs for founders, investors, corporate innovation teams, educators, and scale-ups, plus the University of Melbourne's Master of Entrepreneurship degree, from its base at Ormond College in Parkville, Victoria.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Education & Corporate Programs (Non-degree) (EDAHAHAN), Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA), Technical Universities with Entrepreneurship & Incubation Focus (EDAHAEAH), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship education
• Venture capital training
• Investor education programs
• Innovation leadership training
• Corporate innovation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Parkville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Revenue generated from tuition fees for various programs including VC Fundamentals ($749), The AI Conundrum ($3,450), and bespoke corporate programs. Payment plans available for selected programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship delivers cohort-based educational programs covering entrepreneurship, venture capital investing, AI strategy, growth strategy and innovation leadership. Offerings span short intensives (3-day programs), self-paced online courses, multi-month supported programs, and a full-year Master of Entrepreneurship degree co-delivered with the University of Melbourne, plus bespoke programs co-designed with organisations.

Product overview

Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship offers a portfolio of educational programs for founders, investors, corporate innovation teams, and educators. The portfolio includes: for entrepreneurs - Think Like an Entrepreneur, The AI Conundrum, Growth Engine, and In Residence; for investors - VC Fundamentals (self-paced online), VC Catalyst (advanced), and Impact Catalyst; for schools - UpSchool Complete, UpSchool Introduction, and UpSchool Student Challenges; plus the University of Melbourne's Master of Entrepreneurship degree, and Bespoke custom programs. Programs are delivered in various formats including 3-day intensives, self-paced online, hybrid, and full-year university formats. The institute serves as Australia's leading centre for innovation based at Ormond College, University of Melbourne.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Entrepreneurship Full-year university program co-delivered with the University of Melbourne that supports the development of new businesses, products, services or processes through entrepreneurial thought and action. Housed at Ormond College, University of Melbourne, with the University as the registered CRICOS provider (00116K).
• The AI Conundrum A 3-day intensive AI strategy course for senior leaders designed to help them understand where AI can create real value and how to act on it within their organizations. Includes in-person wrap-up event, 3-month expert follow-on support, monthly peer group sessions, and 12-month content access. Priced at $3,450 + GST per person; team pricing from $2,250 per person.
• Think Like an Entrepreneur A practical, immersive 3-day program designed to help leaders build entrepreneurial skills they can use to lead change inside an organisation. Includes 3 months of expert support. Next cohort scheduled for June 2026.
• Growth Engine Program focused on building a clear growth strategy for the next stage of scale-up or business development, including 3-month expert support.
• In Residence Entrepreneur program offering an immersive residential experience for founders and innovators.
• VC Catalyst Advanced venture capital investment program for active investors designed to build skills for making successful VC investment decisions, including immersive workshops and case studies. Demystifies early-stage VC and builds confidence in startup investing.
• Impact Catalyst Impact investing program teaching investors how to invest for social and sustainable impact as well as financial return. Next cohort scheduled for August 2026.
• VC Fundamentals Entry-level self-paced online venture capital course designed to demystify early-stage VC and build confidence in startup investing. Priced at $749 + GST per person with 6-month content access. Fee is credited towards VC Catalyst if participants continue.
• UpSchool Complete 3-day intensive school program providing educators and students with tools and confidence to teach entrepreneurship in any classroom or school setting. Scheduled for 10–12 June 2026.
• UpSchool Introduction 1-day express program providing a practical starting point for educators new to entrepreneurship education.
• UpSchool Student Challenges Student challenges helping students build essential 21st century skills through hands-on learning in a university environment.
• Bespoke Programs Customised programs co-designed with organisations including virtual or in-person delivery options. The expert program development team works directly with clients to scope, design and deliver tailored entrepreneurship education.

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Melbourne is the registered provider of the Master of Entrepreneurship program, co-delivered with Wade Institute. CRICOS provider code: 00116K. The program is housed at Ormond College, University of Melbourne.
• Ormond College, University of MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysical home of Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship. Located at 49 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria. Ormond College is the site where programs are delivered.
• Melbourne Business SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner logo displayed on Wade Institute website indicating collaboration in entrepreneurship education programs.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• UNSW Founders: UNSW's entrepreneurship program offering cohort-based programs, startup support and investor education. Peer Australian university-hosted entrepreneurship ecosystem comparable to Wade's UoM-linked Master of Entrepreneurship.
• Antler: Global startup generator combining cohort-based residency with investment, directly comparable to Wade's venture-building model. Antler operates in Australia and globally, making it both a direct and geographic peer to Wade Institute.
• Founder Institute: Global accelerator and entrepreneurship education program running cohort-based founder training programs similar to Wade's Think Like an Entrepreneur and In Residence. Both operate cohort-driven models targeting aspiring and early-stage founders globally.
• Startmate: Australia's leading startup accelerator and fellowship program running cohort-based programs for Australian founders and investors. Directly comparable to Wade's Australian founder/investor cohort model.
• RMIT Activator: University-affiliated entrepreneurship and innovation program at RMIT Melbourne offering accelerator, education, and incubation services. Comparable university-based entrepreneurship hub inside the Melbourne ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Y Combinator Startup School: The largest global online entrepreneurship education program offering free cohort-based startup training. Overlaps directly with Wade's founder-facing programs as a free alternative at much larger scale.
• MaRS Discovery District: Large-scale Canadian innovation hub combining education, advisory and ecosystem-building services for entrepreneurs, investors, and corporates. Comparable broad-scope innovation hub model but at much larger scale.
• Melbourne Business School: University of Melbourne's graduate business school offering MBA, executive education and management training. Listed as a Wade partner but also a direct competitor for executive/corporate training budgets in the Melbourne market.
• Kauffman Foundation (Founder Education): US-based foundation running Entrepreneurship.org, FastTrac, and other founder education programs globally. Comparable entrepreneurship education mission and content dissemination strategy at much larger scale.

Regional players

• Fishburners: Australia's largest startup coworking community offering workshops, mentor programs and networking. Comparable Australian entrepreneurship community but operating as coworking/membership rather than credentialed education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Wade_Institute
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeWmiS7FymCp-a35WkYuGyA
• Facebookfacebook.com/thewadeinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-wade-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/wadeinstitute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship