Sydney School of Entrepreneurship

SSE’s Legacy of Impact and Innovation

Since its inception in 2016, the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship (SSE) has been a trailblazer in entrepreneurial education. Established as an independent, not-for-profit consortium with a bold mission to empower diverse entrepreneurs, SSE has catalysed innovation, skills development, and economic transformation across New South Wales (NSW) and beyond.

Backed by an investment from the NSW Government, SSE brought together 11 NSW universities and TAFE NSW in an unprecedented collaboration. Over its seven-year journey, SSE supported over 22,000 participants, issued more than 2,300 microcredentials, and reached 40% regional participants, demonstrating an enduring commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

Join us on a look back at SSE's journey across three pivotal phases.

Phase 3: Securing the Legacy (2025 and Beyond)

SSE programs to live on through ASE

After eight years of delivering innovative, values-driven education to over 22,000 learners across New South Wales, the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship (SSE) formally wound down operations from May 2025. In a move that ensures the continuation and expansion of its legacy, SSE’s most impactful programs will transition to The ASE Group.

Read the SSE announcement.

Phase 2: From Foundations to Impact (2019–2024)

Scaling, Innovating and Driving Diversity

During this transformative phase, SSE expanded its reach, adapting to global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and leveraging digital platforms to ensure continuity and growth. Programs such as the Virtual Startup Internship Program (VSIP) and Discovery empowered diverse cohorts with the skills and networks needed to thrive in an evolving economy. SSE also deepened its focus on inclusion, launching targeted initiatives for First Nations entrepreneurs and refugees, and fostering innovation through youth-focused projects. This period cemented SSE’s role as a leader in entrepreneurial education and a catalyst for systemic change across NSW and beyond.

Key Developments:

2019: Virtual Startup Internship Program (VSIP) launched, engaging over 7,000 participants by 2020.
2020: Rapid pivot to digital delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding accessibility and participation.
2021: Collaborative research on youth entrepreneurship published in partnership with Young Change Agents, shaping the discourse on entrepreneurial education.
2022: Launch of Invest in Yourself: Exploring Money and Self-Employment, supporting First Nations and refugee entrepreneurs.
2023: Implementation of the SSE Strategy 2023–2026, focusing on diversity, inclusion, and equity; celebration of its sixth anniversary.

Notable Achievement:

Issued 2,300+ digital credentials, building industry-recognised skills.
Launch of the Discovery program, fostering entrepreneurial mindsets in secondary school students.
Establishing the Youth Accelerator Program with the NSW Department of Education, potentially impacting 2,200 public schools.
Partnering with 100+ organisations, creating a diverse and supportive ecosystem.

2019 - 2024

Spotlight on Participants: A Sample of Impact

Scott McKeon

Co-founder of Espresso Displays, creating the world’s thinnest portable touchscreen monitors with support from SSE’s networks. Through SSE’s Discovery Program and bootcamps, Scott honed his entrepreneurial skills and connected with critical mentors and investors.

Indra Mckie

Founder of Village, a wellness app connecting communities. Indra credits SSE’s hands-on workshops and tailored mentoring for equipping her with the skills to launch her venture and scale its impact.

Tahir Ud Din

An entrepreneur from Chitral, Pakistan, Tahir leveraged SSE’s Digital Internship Program to enhance his businesses, promote women’s economic empowerment, and implement innovative strategies for social and economic resilience in his community.

Rose Lewis

A participant in Virtual Startup Internship Program (VSIP), Rose worked with a startup tackling climate change by developing sustainable farming solutions, creating a carbon offset model tailored for regional farms.

James Bradley

Founder of Diffuse Energy, James gained invaluable market insights during SSE’s International Bootcamp to India in 2019. These experiences helped refine his startup’s compact wind turbine technology and unlock global opportunities.

Shiroq Alali

A young Ezidi woman from Armidale, Shiroq leveraged SSE’s "Invest in Yourself" program to gain financial literacy and secure an internship at UNE’s Smart Region Incubator. She now helps her community with practical entrepreneurial skills.

Phase 1: The Early Years (2016–2018)

Laying the Foundations

SSE’s establishment marked a significant leap in entrepreneurial education. Its Ultimo campus became a hub for collaboration, providing state-of-the-art facilities that brought students, academics, and industry leaders together. Early achievements include delivering over 45 workshops, hackathons, and roundtables, engaging more than 2,500 attendees by the end of 2017.

Key Milestones:

2016: SSE established with $25 million in cornerstone funding from the NSW Government.
2017: Launch of The Navigator, SSE’s flagship academic unit, completed by over 100 students in its inaugural year.
2018: First international bootcamp in China, fostering global entrepreneurial perspectives.
2018: Recognition as the Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Centre by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centres.

Impact Highlights:

2,500 people engaged with SSE within the first two years.
Representation from 48% women and 37% regional areas.
Co-designed and prototyped a new curriculum with member institutions through EduHack workshop, shaping entrepreneurial education for 2018-19.

2016

2017

2018

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