Young Eyes Festival of Innovation 2025

Is your child full of creative ideas? Calling all problem solvers, big thinkers, and budding changemakers - The Young Eyes Festival of Innovation 2025 is now open for entries!

Originating from Zig Zag Hub, a coworking space supporting start-ups, this festival was created to meet the growing demand for entrepreneurial education in schools. It showcases rising stars from the Illawarra, South Coast, and beyond, helping young minds turn their innovative ideas into real-world impact.

The Young Eyes Festival of Innovation remains the keynote event staged by the Young Eyes Team, where rising stars from the Illawarra, South Coast and beyond, are presented with the opportunity and necessary support to bring their change making ideas to reality. Applications close: Saturday, August 23rd at 5pm.

To enter and be a part of The Young Eyes Festival of Innovation, kids aged 11 - 14 need to complete the Future Founders Program (more information below) - 5 fun-filled and engaging modules designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and develop key entrepreneurial skills - and the first 2 modules are free!

Enter The Young Eyes Festival of Innovation and signup now to receive the first two modules of Future Founders: Kickstarter Course for FREE here!

All about The Future Founders Program

Designed for students aged 11 to 14, this fun and flexible online learning experience helps young minds explore entrepreneurial thinking, build confidence, and bring their ideas to life.

Students who take part in the program will have the opportunity to pitch their idea at our ‘Shark Tank’ event in early September, with selected finalists going on to present at The Young Eyes Festival of Innovation 2025 on 24 September at the HARS Aviation Museum (participation optional).

What is involved?

The Future Founders Program is made up of 5 fun-filled and engaging modules designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and develop key entrepreneurial skills. (The first 2 modules are free!).

Each module is approximately 30 minutes and can be completed at your child’s own pace. After completing all 5 modules, your child can apply to pitch their idea at our ‘Shark Tank’ event (held outside school hours in the first week of September)

At the Festival, winners will be awarded titles of ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ and ‘Young Innovator of the Year’. Winners will also receive $500 in prize money and access to an exclusive mentoring workshop.

• Program Fee: $29.95
• Applications close: Saturday, August 23rd at 5pm
• Age Group: 11 to 14 years

Enter The Young Eyes Festival of Innovation and signup now to receive the first two modules of Future Founders: Kickstarter Course for FREE here!