Wade Institute and Ormond College
Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship is Australia’s leading centre for entrepreneurial education. Based on Ormond’s campus, it delivers programs for students, educators and investors, while giving Ormondians direct access to world-class mentors, networks and opportunities.
Ormond's innovation precinct
Established in 2015 thanks to a generous $10m gift from Ormond alumnus and entrepreneur Peter Wade (1971), Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship is a leading centre for entrepreneurial training delivering a range of immersive programs to accelerate learning, creation and connection.
Situated on Ormond’s campus, Wade Institute’s programs include the co-delivery of the University of Melbourne’s Master of Entrepreneurship, investor education program VC Catalyst, and extension programs VC Foundations and Ag Ventures, teacher workshop UpSchool, and custom masterclasses.Alongside its programming, Wade Institute offers unique opportunities for Ormond students, who receive direct access to entrepreneurs, investors and educators, along with exceptional guest speakers, mentors and program academics.
Wade Institute programs
From venture capital investing to entrepreneurial education for students and teachers, Wade’s programs are designed to build skills, networks and real‑world impact.
VC Catalyst
VC Catalyst is an immersive executive education program for active investors to gain the best practice tools and skills to make successful early-stage high-growth venture capital investments.Powered by LaunchVic, the program is delivered at Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship by world-leading venture capitalists and experts.
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Master of Entrepreneurship
The University of Melbourne’s Master of Entrepreneurship suite of programs are co-delivered at Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship and are designed to equip students with the entrepreneurial skills, networks and mindset to make their mark on the world.
Learn moreUpSchool
UpSchool Teacher Workshops give K-12 educators the skills, experience and confidence to embed entrepreneurial practices in their classrooms and grow their leadership potential. Delivered at Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship’s purpose-built training facility, UpSchool supports schools in taking the next step in delivering innovative education for the future.
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Bespoke programs
Wade Institute’s expert team of program developers collaborate with individual leaders, teams and organisations from any sector or industry to create unique entrepreneurial experiences.The Wade Institute institute team have built programs for Minderoo Foundation, Gordon TAFE and the University of Melbourne, to name a few.
Learn moreWhy I gave my gift
Behind Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship is the very successful, but low-profile, entrepreneur and Ormond alumnus, Peter Wade (1971).
We are a smart nation but still too few of our great ideas are generating the future of our economy.
Peter Wade
Originally from Geelong, Peter knows first-hand the changes that are sweeping though the Australian economy. He has watched the decline of manufacturing and heavy industry in and around his hometown and how Geelong has reinvented itself several times to meet the challenges it has faced.Peter observes, “We need to create jobs and opportunities to replace those being lost. Traditional manufacturing is disappearing. Even service jobs, whether they are in call centres or law and accounting firms, are going offshore. Technology is disrupting existing business from media firms to retailers. Even those who work for others will need to be more entrepreneurial and innovative to help create Australia’s future.” “I have been involved in supporting education for a while now and it has given me enormous faith in the extraordinary talent of young Australians.” He is keen to see budding entrepreneurs equipped with the skills they need to take that talent and use it to create value, opportunities and jobs for Australia’s future.
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Support the next generation of thinkers, doers and creative problem solvers.
Waders
Wade Institute students, participants and alumni – affectionately known as Waders – are Ormondians too. Waders are an integral part of the College Community. They attend Formal Hall, study in the ACA, and go on to join our extensive alumni network.
