The Young Eyes Festival of Innovation
The Young Eyes Festival of Innovation originated as an initiative of Zig Zag Hub – a coworking conglomerate dedicated to meeting the needs of start-ups. Advances in technology, changes in the nature of work and the number of aspiring young innovators with the desire to create and instigate change, established an organic demand for entrepreneurial learning. The Young Eyes Festival of Innovation emerged to fill such void, through entrepreneurial education in schools.
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.
It takes a spark of an idea to unleash a hidden passion
Is your child full of creative ideas? Then our Future Founders Program is for them. Designed for students aged 8 to 11, 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 April, with selected finalists going on to present at the 2026 Young Eyes Festival of Innovation.
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 module is free!)
- Each module is approximately 40 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 April). Alternatively, your child can take the program online as an entrepreneurial learning experience.
- Finalists from the Shark Tank event will be invited to present at our Gala Event in early November.
- 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 (Early Bird): $62
- Applications close: 28 February 2026
- Age Group: 8 to 11 years
Featured Courses
Our Alumni
Jemima
2024 Young Innovator of the Year
“I've become a lot more confident when speaking in front of large crowds”
James
Founder of JT Butterflies
“What I learned here was priceless – both in knowledge and connections.”
Mido
Founder of English First
“You learn a lot of skills throughout preparing the pitches, thinking through your ideas and making PowerPoints.”
Sign Up Now
Complete the Future Founders course to secure your chance to pitch your business idea at the Young Eyes Festival of Innovation 2025.