Innovation Leaders Network Leadership Program

Name: Department of State Development
Price range: $

Empowering South Australia’s next generation of startup leaders

The Innovation Leaders Network (ILN) Leadership Program supports emerging founders and senior decision‑makers who are ready to scale their impact, strengthen their leadership capability, and grow high‑potential businesses.

Delivered in partnership with the Leaders Institute of South Australia in partnership with the Department of State Development, this bespoke program offers a rare opportunity for startup leaders to build the skills, networks and confidence needed to lead through complexity.

If you’re building something ambitious and want to accelerate your leadership journey, this program is built for you.

Expression of Interest

What is the Leadership Program?

A small cohort of South Australian startup founders and leaders will take part in a tailored series of leadership workshops and capability‑building experiences, including:

Practical leadership development with expert facilitators
Tools to effectively manage and motivate teams
Strategies to navigate the challenges of starting, scaling and sustaining a business
Opportunities to connect with peers, mentors, and innovation leaders
Support to strengthen resilience, influence, and long‑term growth capability

The program is delivered at no cost to participants, fully subsidised by DSD.

Program details

ILN Leadership Program overview

The Innovation Leaders Network (ILN) Leadership Program is an intensive, in‑person leadership development program designed for founders and senior decision‑makers of high‑growth, innovative startups in South Australia. The program focuses on practical leadership development, peer learning and real‑world application, rather than classroom‑style training.

Download Program Overview

ILN Leadership Program key dates

STAGE	DATE
Applications open	13 March 2026
Applications close	31 March 2026
Shortlisting	Early April 2026
Interviews	Mid to late April 2026
Applicants notified	Early May 2026
Final acceptance	Mid May 2026

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible, applicants must:

Be based in South Australia
Be a founder, co‑founder, or senior decision‑maker
Be part of an Australian‑registered company with fewer than 200 employees
Be leading an innovative business with high‑growth and scalability potential
Be able to commit to all program dates

Startups at different stages are encouraged to apply from early validation through to post‑investment scaling. What matters most is that your business is entering (or already experiencing) increasing complexity and that you are ready to develop your leadership capability to match.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled a series of frequently asked questions to support you in your application.

Read the FAQs

Expressions of Interest are now open for the 2026 ILN Leadership Program

Applicants are encouraged to review the program overview, eligibility requirements and FAQs before submitting an Expression of Interest.

Submit an Expression of Interest

The real impact of the ILN Leadership Program

How has the ILN Leadership Program benefited participants?

Find out how founders boosted their confidence, sharpened their leadership skills, and tackled growth challenges with practical tools they could apply straight back into their businesses.

Watch more

Expression of Interest

Apply now

Places in the Innovation Leaders Network Leadership Program are limited.

If you are ready to strengthen your leadership capability and connect with other founders and innovators across South Australia, we encourage you to apply.

Submit an Expression of Interest for the 2026 Innovation Leaders Network Leadership Program.

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