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Not eligible for refunds. Only valid to approved applicants. Standard T&Cs apply.
Explore your entrepreneurial spirit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 🇻🇳
5.0
500+ students
Accelerate your career on the 2-week study abroad, learn from industry mentors, make lifelong connections, and earn university credits – you can do everything all at once!
Cardiff University students are eligible for up to £3,000* scholarship for any 2024 programs. (T&C apply)
This exclusive offer has ended:
We're industry-backed education.
Past experts on the program are from:
Learn high-demand business skills in the program:
Creative thinking
Problem solving
Branding & PR
Influence
Leadership
Product Prototype
Networking
Pitching
Public speaking
Identify market & trend
Innovation
Cultural Literacy
Strategy
With over 30 sessions and workshops, you'll meet incredible mentors across all industries from Tech, AI, Startups, FinTech, Social Impact and many more.
85%
Of HEX alumni go on to launch their startups or land a job within 4 months of completing the program
🌟
Data collected since 2017
$175+ million
Generated to Australian startup ecosystem by HEX alumni's impact
💰
Data collected since 2018
100+ businesses
Went through HEX programs and hackathons. Think Deloitte, ANZ, Asahi & City of Melbourne
🚀
So, how does it work?
It's simple. Submit your application and tell us why you should be selected to be a part of Generation Next.
*You must attend all workshops and be able to travel to the trade mission.
1. Make sure your startup/business is a match for the current theme.
2. Tell us why you want to join the program in the application form
3. Hang tight. You'll hear from us soon to invite you to the interview.
4. We'll notify chosen candidates during the week commencing 25 May 2026
MAY
TUE 5
@ 11 PM
The ultimate accelerator to take your business to the next level.
Ready to scale, grow as a leader, and explore global opportunities? This is your launchpad for international impact.
HEX is proudly supported by the ASEAN-Australia Centre to offer 30+ aspiring entrepreneurs an incredible opportunity through fully funded grants.
This is your chance to take your business idea abroad and turn it into a reality.
Are you next?
Hello, Melbourne
Experience the vibrant and growing Aussie startup scene 😎 while sipping a flat white coffee in the sun.
Melbourne is the ideal location to scale, export or build partnerships for your entrepreneurial business, as it has an established, diverse and educated workforce, coupled with world-class universities and strong government support. Our startup community is dynamic and collaborative, with a strong social purpose.
38.4 Billion
The value of Melbourne's early-stage startup ecosystem has significantly increased in 2025.
🤝
Source: LaunchVic
32nd Global
Melbourne kept its position stable in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index of 2025.
🌏
Source: Startup Genome
50% Funding
Early-stage funding in Victoria has increased by more than 50% in year, to $1.136B (AUD).
💰
Source: City of Melbourne
Applications Closing Soon
Empowering women founders to scale their business globally and drive economic growth.
Over 13 transformative weeks, Generation Next is designed to accelerate the business growth and economic empowerment of 30 early-stage female entrepreneurs from Southeast Asia and Australia. Generation Next blends online learning, tailored mentoring, and real-world business experiences to fast-track your startup's success.
To be eligible for the Generation Next program:
We’re looking for businesses building in the digital economy across AI, fintech, digital trade, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, platform technologies, or other technology-driven innovation.
With rapid digital adoption, increasing cross-border data flows, and evolving regulatory and cybersecurity landscapes, our region is undergoing a significant technological transformation.
There is a growing opportunity for bold, solutions-driven entrepreneurs to lead this shift, designing trusted digital systems, strengthening cyber resilience, and building technology-enabled ecosystems that drive long-term economic growth.
Upcoming Challenges:
☘️ 2025 Green Economy
📚 2027 Education and Skills
💰 2028 Financial Services
2026 Current Theme: Digital Economy
Business Eligibility
A startup, small business or social enterprise that has a prototype, early customers, or early revenue.
🔮
Women
Early-stage female founders aged 18-40, from any eligible countries with business ideas or those who are entering the market.
🦹🏽♀️
Eligible Countries
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and Timor-Leste.
🌏
How the program works?
12 weeks of online, interactive experiences and an unforgettable 7-day trade mission in Melbourne.
Founder / Business Owner
"I know the problem I’m solving is bigger than me. I’ve got traction, a vision, and the grit to grow — but I need the right platform, capital, and connections to take it beyond borders.
Kick off Generation Next: Thu 18 June 2026
Empowering women founders to build an economic future and impact businesses globally.
Week 5
Designing & refining solutions
User stories. Designing an MVP. Elements of branding and digital marketing.
Thu 30 July 2026
Week 8
Pitch structure & public speaking
Communicating as a leader. Pitch practice.
Thu 27 August 2026
Week 6
Optimise your business model & capital strategy
Business Model Canvas. Funding models. Raising capital. Finding investors
Thu 6 August 2026
*Mid program break on 13 August.
Week 7
Trade mission objectives and preparation
Goal setting & Network Planning for the Trade Mission.
Thu 20 August 2026
Week 1
Building cohort community
Setting you up for success and starting strong.
Thu 2 July 2026
Week 4
Problem, customer & market
Convergent and divergent thinking. Problem statement. Rapid Prototyping. Identifying your customers.
Thu 23 July 2026
Week 2
Founder's mindset and foundations
Understanding personal & professional values.
Thu 9 July 2026
Week 3
Your personal brand and storytelling
Understanding and refining your personal brand.
Thu 16 July 2026
Week 9
Going Global
Getting your digital product ready to enter new markets.
Thu 3 September 2026
Week 13
Final Week
Established ongoing mentoring systems through our community.
Ongoing
Week 10
Boosting your brand & go to market strategy
Understanding and refinining your personal brand. Finessing your strategy to market.
Thu 10 September 2026
*Week 11 is Trade Mission Week
Week 12
Reflections & future planning
Connections. Future planning.
Thu 24 September 2026
Week 11: in Melbourne, Australia.
Trade Mission from 13 - 19 September 2026
The 7-day trade mission in Melbourne offers one-on-one business meetings, exclusive networking opportunities, and the chance to come together in person with your Southeast Asia and Australia cohort.
This immersive experience brings you face-to-face with industry leaders, investors, and key decision-makers, giving you a platform to forge global partnerships, apply everything you’ve learned, and scale your business with confidence.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will shape the future of your business in digital entrepreneurship.
Rejuvenated with new ideas, business plan and ready to take on what's next.
Check out some of our alumni experiences from our other programs around the world.
Generation Next combines technical training on pitching, scaling, and navigating global markets with a supportive community that truly understands the unique challenges women face in entrepreneurship.
For me, it showed how women can step into leadership with both competence and courage, and it reminded me that our voices and ventures have a place on the international stage."
Ricel (Philippines)
Generation Next Alumni 2025
A transformative program that helps you sharpen your idea, build global networks, and grow as a leader.
What's included?
✅ 13-week Generation Next program
✅ 7 nights Accommodation
✅ 4-star Accommodation
✅ 30+ Industry Workshops
✅ Networking and Events
✅ Return Flights to Melbourne
✅ Local Transport Costs
✅ Daily Meal Stipend
✅ Breakfast Included
✅ Coworking Space
✅ HEXPO VIP Event Ticket
✅ University Certificate
✅ Industry Mentoring
✅ Personal Brand
✅ Photoshoot
Value over $10,000 AUD:
All-inclusive in the Grant
Be part of the global women founders movement
Key Dates:
- Applications Close: Tuesday 5 May 2026
- Successful Applicants Announced: Monday 25 May 2026
- Kick off: Thursday 25 June 2026
- Online Program: 2 July–1 October 2026
- Melbourne Trade Mission: 13–19 September 2026
Who is HEX?
Generation Next is delivered by multi-award winning accelerator and leadership development company, HEX.
Since 2017, HEX has helped thousands of early-stage founders launch startups, get funding, or kick-start amazing tech and innovation careers.
Week 13
Final Week
Established ongoing mentoring systems through our community.
Ongoing
Week 12
Reflections
Connections. Future planning.
Thu 2 October 2025
WOMEN LEADING
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Supported By:
Generation
Next
Generation Next
2026 DIGITAL
ECONOMY THEME
JULY 2 - OCTOBER 1, 2026
Southeast Asian and Australian women leading economic growth. Fully funded grant program for women founders ready to fuel their ambition, build cross-border connections, and scale on a global stage.
WOMEN LEADING
ECONOMIC GROWTH
