Industry Venture Challenge
Kickstart your professional development and your employability!
The Industry Venture Challenge (IVC) at La Trobe University is an immersive 8-week program that connects students with real-world industry challenges, allowing them to apply academic knowledge to solve pressing problems faced by partner organisations to develop innovative conceptual solutions that demonstrate functionality, usability, reliability and performance.
Facilitated in partnership between the OPV Academic Team and La Trobe’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship team, our IVC students thrive in this highly rewarding and inspirational program. Participants in the IVC also have an opportunity to win CASH PRIZES at the end of the program as they pitch their ideas to clients.
- The IVC provides a unique work-based learning experience, outside a traditional classroom setting
- Students will get an opportunity to attend networking events and workshops conducted by industry experts
- Projects are run professionally in an industry environment and students get a chance to develop hands-on project management skills
- Students will develop employability skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, networking, self-management and academic skills
- Students will be guided and mentored by an industry supervisor as well as an academic supervisor in the project
- Students will develop their entrepreneurial mindset
Undertaking the Industry Venture Challenge fulfils the 100-hour placement component of LTU3IND and is delivered across the 8-week IVC program. During this time, students are also required to complete the subject assessments associated with LTU3IND. When you register in an IVC project, you are required to attend an in-person Induction Day in Week 2 of the Semester, and the Pitch Day in Week 11 of the Semester. Travel and accommodation funding support is available for regional and interstate students.
Please note: During Semester 1, 2025 the IVC is only available to undergraduate students. However, in Semester 2 2025, postgraduate students will be able to apply for the IVC project program as part of LTU5IND. More details to come!
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Student requirements
To complete the Industry Venture Challenge and get the most out of your learning experience, you will need to:
- Attend a face-to-face induction session
- Commit to 100 placement hours across the 8-week Industry Venture Challenge (approx. 2 days per week)
- Attend and actively contribute towards team, client and mentor meetings
- Complete a team project report with implementation plan, presented at a client pitch event
- Complete the academic assessments for Industry Placement subject LTU3IND
How it works
Once you have met the subject pre-requisites, you’ll submit an online application, and enrol into the 15-credit point Industry Placement Elective subject LTU3IND. You’ll undertake The Industry Venture Challenge as your 100-hour industry placement component. You’ll also complete subject assessment requirements as you set goals and reflect on your placement experiences.
As you work in your consultancy teams, you'll complete your placement hours remotely, however, your face-to-face induction and presentation skills workshop provide you with opportunities to attend fun networking events and to meet with clients, subject coordinators and other fellow students doing the challenge.
You will have the opportunity to develop real life presentation skills at a face-to-face Pitch Day with free lunch, cash prizes and the chance to pitch to a panel of industry judges.
Key Dates
Semester 1, 2025 - Events and activities | | |
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LTU3IND online briefing covering assessment and what to expect | | |
Online application deadline | Friday 14th February (5pm) | |
Industry Venture Challenge briefing (information session) | | |
Induction day (Face to Face) | Thursday 13th March (approx. 9.00am - 2.30pm) | Digital Innovation Hub Level 2 Jenny Graves Building Bundoora Campus |
8-week online placement commences | | |
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| Wednesday 16th April | |
Pitching day (Face to Face) Pitching, lunch, celebration and networking event | Thursday 22nd May (approx. 11.30am - 4.30pm) | Digital Innovation Hub Level 2 Jenny Graves Building Bundoora Campus |
8-week online placement concludes. Final assessments due. | | |
How to apply
Applying is easy!
1. The Industry Venture Challenge is a placement option, undertaken as part of the 100-hour industry placement elective subject, LTU3IND. So please make sure you are eligible to do LTU3IND and that you have space in your degree.
2. Complete the online application form.
3. You can then self enrol into the elective subject LTU3IND. For information on how to enrol via Student Online, follow these steps.
The Industry Venture Challenge Team will get in touch with you to confirm any next steps and key dates. But you can also find them above!
Find out more
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What will I get out of the Industry Venture Challenge?
You will benefit from working in diverse and multidisciplinary consultancy teams, developing your transferable employability skills around collaboration, negotiation, communication, problem solving, time management and pitching. The Industry Venture Challenge will enable you to boost your self-confidence, connections and in demand industry skills to help you become work ready and equip you with the steppingstones to your next chapter.
You’ll also connect with like-minded students, have fun, develop your problem solving and creative thinking skills, gain industry connections, learn how to pitch and present, win prizes and so much more! At the end of the challenge, you’ll also be rewarded with a digital badge for your effort!
Most importantly, you will have fun whilst you are learning (we’re very much into the fun factor at the face-to-face events!) and you have the chance to not only receive an Industry Placement Bursary, but also to walk away with cold hard cash for your efforts!
What kind of organisations will I work with?
The client organisations will be curated by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship team and may vary in size and industry. The organisations you will be working with will present and introduce the relevant information during the face-to-face Induction Day. This will be your opportunity to find out more about the organisation, ask questions and you’ll also form your consultancy teams.
Is this real industry experience?
Yes. You will work with real industry clients who have industry-related challenges! These industry partners are keen to work with university students so they can tap into fresh ideas and perspectives to solve these challenges. You will have the benefit of working with other students in consultancy teams to brainstorm ideas and solutions, whilst you have the full support of industry professionals, your Academic Supervisor (LTU3IND Subject Coordinator) and the clients themselves.
Am I eligible for a placement bursary or financial support for travel?
Industry Placement Bursary
Yes! La Trobe University is supporting students who have commenced a placement by offering an Industry Placement bursary of up to $2500! Make sure you check out the eligibility and application requirements for the Industry Placement Bursary.
Support for students based regionally or interstate
La Trobe University supports students from regional and interstate areas to engage in the Industry Venture Challenge and its face-to-face experiences. This includes travel to Melbourne to attend the IVC Induction Workshop and the Pitch Day and accommodation if needed (at La Trobe University's Bundoora campus residences with Accommodation Services). Our friendly team can assist with booking this for you.
This financial support is subject to submission and assessment of information you submit via the IVC Application Form. We will consider reasonable travel costs to/from these events, upon provision of appropriate receipts, proof of event attendance and evidence of a regional address.
Please note: if you would like to access this support, you MUST advise the IVC team 2 weeks prior to either the Induction Day or Pitch Day.
Please contact the IVC team if you need more information: IVC@latrobe.edu.au
What are the career development benefits?
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| Work as part of a diverse and multidisciplinary team, giving you the opportunity expand your transferable skill set by collaborating with students from a range of courses. |
| Deliver projects for a real client and get exposure to high-performing workplace cultures. |
| Provide recommendations to solve real business challenges for your client, presenting these to them in a final report and presentation. |
| Receive three types of support throughout the experience; mentorship from industry, guidance from your placement supervisor, and academic support from your La Trobe Work Based Learning Subject Coordinator. |
| Connect your learning to specifically designed, for-credit learning tasks through your Work Based Learning subject and its assessments. |
| Work with regional, metro, interstate or global clients without being limited by your location. |
Does this count toward Career Ready Advantage?
Yes, once you complete the Industry Venture Challenge and the requirements for LTU3IND, you will be credited with 1 practical experience towards your Career Ready Advantage Award.
Program structure
What is a pitch day?
Be prepared to have some fun! The pitch day will bring together all of the La Trobe students who are doing the Industry Venture Challenge. You will ALL have the chance to win real cash prizes, network with industry experts, develop your professional skills, enjoy a free lunch on us and generally have a blast!
All students who participate in the Industry Venture Challenge will have the opportunity to 'pitch’ their respective challenges and solutions. The day involves each team presenting a 5 minute pitch to a panel consisting of industry experts. More details will be provided in the lead up to the event.
What if I'm not familiar with entrepreneurial skills and pitching?
These kinds of soft skills are highly valuable and applicable to anyone in any industry! But don’t worry, during the Induction Day, we will run you through all of this information.
Do we get to select our own teams?
You will be allocated into multi-disciplinary teams to ensure there is an opportunity for students to work with and learn from students outside of their regular discipline study area.
How much is the prize money?
Each participant of the winning team for the Industry Venture Challenge Live Pitch event, will have the opportunity to win $200 per person. In addition, there will be ‘People’s Choice’ prizes of $100 per person. So that’s a nice bonus that you can win if you strive for success! Students will need to be present at the face-to-face Pitch event at the end of the program to be eligible for the prize money.
Are the placement hours online or face to face?
Your initial briefing prior to the commencement of the program and the 100 placement hours (via LMS), will be conducted online. However, there will be TWO face to face events, one at the beginning (Induction) and another at the end (Pitching Day) of the Industry Venture Challenge where you will come together with fellow students, clients and Subject Coordinators to mingle and have fun!
What is the time commitment?
Over the 8-week Industry Venture Challenge, you will be required to complete 100 hours which includes your online placement hours and attendance at the face-to-face events (Induction and Pitch days).
What kind of support will I get?
You will have different types of support throughout the Industry Venture Challenge; guidance from your Industry Client Supervisor/s and academic support from your La Trobe Subject Coordinator for LTU3IND.
Will there be catering?
For the face-to-face events, participants will be provided with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea! All event information will be provided in the lead up to the day however you may bring your own snacks if you would like.
Industry Placement subject: LTU3IND
How does LTU3IND relate to the Industry Venture Challenge?
LTU3IND is a university wide Industry Placement subject which has a hurdle requirement of 100 placement hours alongside assessment requirements (like most subjects at La Trobe!). You will undertake the Industry Venture Challenge (via the Practera platform) as the 100 hour placement component of the subject, attend the subject online seminars and complete the subject’s assessment requirements.
Am I eligible for LTU3IND?
You will need to have completed 120 credit points and have availability in your study plan to complete a 15 credit point elective subject. Check your study plan online. If you are unsure about whether you have availability for an elective in your study plan, please contact ASK La Trobe. If you need course advice about enrolling in a placement elective, please check with your Course Coordinator.
How do I apply for LTU3IND?
What activities count towards my 100 hour placement requirement?
Most of your placement hours will be accumulated during your online placement as you work remotely within your consultancy teams. However, when you attend the induction day and the pitch day, these hours will also count towards your 100 placement hours. Therefore, it’s essential that you attend these events if you wish to claim these hours as part of your overall 100 hour requirement.
