Start Up, Invest & Grow in Monash in May

Tickets are selling fast for our Start Up, Invest and Grow in Monash program, with our launch already booked out. 

Throughout the month, we’re hosting a series of 9 events and workshops, including:

• Startup essentials: A crash course for founders: Helping early-stage founders validate ideas, use AI effectively, and explore funding pathways.
   
• Build a brand that's impossible to ignore: A hands-on workshop for small business owners who want their brand to stand out. You'll leave with clarity, practical tools and the next steps to confidently grow your brand's presence.
   
• Innovation networking night: Connect with founders, business owners and investors at a relaxed networking event showcasing innovation from across the Monash Precinct.
   
• Eastern Innovation's Pitch Night: Spotlights Monash’s most promising founders and is an opportunity to connect with industry leaders and business owners.
   
• Health innovation discovery bus tour: Discover Monash's health innovation precinct where startups, research and clinical expertise converge to accelerate medical breakthroughs.
   

Monash Business Association networking breakfast

Monash Business Association (MBA) is hosting their first networking breakfast event of 2026 with guest speaker Scott Weeks from EK Financial Group.

Network with local business leaders and hear Scott's insights on leadership, business growth, and navigating change.

When: Wednesday 29 April, 7am - 9am
Where: Huntingdale Golf Club, Windsor Avenue, Oakleigh South
Cost: $64.84

Winning government grants and tenders workshop

Looking to do business with the government but not sure where to start? This free in-person workshop run by Business Victoria will give you the confidence and know-how to apply for tenders, submit quotes and access grants. 

When: Monday 15 June, 9.30am - 11.30am
Where: Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley
Cost: Free, includes light refreshments

Strengthening purpose-led organisations

Are you a purpose‑led business, not‑for‑profit, or social enterprise looking to scale your impact without compromising your values?

Join our practical, hands-on workshop designed to help your organisation strengthen services, attract and retain customers, and build long-term sustainability.

When: Wednesday 24 June, 9.30am - 3.30pm
Where: Monash Civic Centre meeting rooms 2 and 3 (ground level), 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley
Cost: Free

Building stronger teams through age diversity

Discover how to establish high-performing, forward-thinking teams for your business. Attend this business breakfast featuring keynote speaker Maree McCabe, an accomplished CEO with extensive experience in mental health and aged care.

When: Tuesday 16 June, 7.30am - 9.30am
Where: Huntingdale Golf Club, Windsor Avenue, Oakleigh South
Cost: $19.50

Sir John Monash Awards: Nominate a local legend

Nominations are open for the Sir John Monash Awards, celebrating local heroes who help build a vibrant, compassionate and connected community.

An additional overall award, the Sir John Monash Award for Outstanding Leadership, is also presented to one of the category winners.  

There are 10 categories to choose from:

• Active Monash
• Age Well Leadership
• Inspirational Women’s Leadership
• LGBTIQA+ Leadership
• Outstanding Advocate of People with Disabilities
• Multicultural Champion
• Reconciliation Champion
• Sustainability Leadership
• Volunteer of the Year
• Youth Leadership (Young Leader Award (8 - 14 years) and Youth Leadership Award (15 - 25 years)

If you know someone making a difference, share their story!

Nominations close Monday 11 May.

Building confidence, one robot at a time

With Council support and strong community partnerships, Melbourne RoboCats gives girls in Monash the confidence to build robots – and their confidence in STEM.

Each year, a Monash‑based all‑girls robotics team designs, engineers, codes and builds a competition-ready robot in just weeks, often with no prior STEM experience.

Local businesses can get involved as sponsors or mentors, helping equip future‑ready talent while strengthening a vibrant community STEM pipeline.

Oakleigh to welcome new art trail

Oakleigh is set to welcome a new vibrant, colourful and illuminated art trail which will build on the precinct's unique cultural identity. 

Newly commissioned murals, projections, lightboxes and creative installations will feature alongside Council's existing public art trail and cultural wayfinding pieces. 

The trail will reflect Oakleigh’s strong multicultural identity, particularly its iconic Greek precinct, and will offer a unique and an immersive way to experience Oakleigh’s cultural and culinary offering, strengthening its appeal as a truly unique visitor destination.  

The project is thanks to funding from the Victorian Government’s Multicultural Business Precinct Revitalisation Program and contribution by Monash Council. 

Explore Monash's shopping strips with free public transport

Getting around Monash is easier with free public transport in April. 

We're sharing the love for Monash's most walkable, station-side shopping strips and encouraging residents to discover what makes them so special. 

Follow your local Traders Association

The City of Monash has three active and funded trader associations that undertake marketing, management and business development to encourage commerce, trade and employment in their centres.

Follow them via their website or socials to get a feel of what they do and support your local activity centre.

Clayton Traders Association
Website    Facebook    Instagram

Glen Waverley Traders Association
Website    Facebook   Instagram

Mount Waverley Traders Association
Website     Facebook    Instagram

Entrepreneur Exchange: Facilitated networking

Connect meaningfully, share your story, and build momentum for 2026 through guided, low-pressure networking.

Designed for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to connect with purpose, this event replaces awkward introductions with guided activities that help conversations flow naturally.

When: Thursday 23 April, 6pm - 8pm
Where: Eastern Innovation, 5A Hartnett Close, Mulgrave
Cost: $17.50 - bring a friend for free (2 for $17.50)

New pilot program to help Monash businesses reduce their waste

Are you a Monash-based business looking to reduce your waste and lower costs? Our free pilot Trim Your Bin program is for you.

Selected businesses will receive a waste assessment, a tailored action plan and expert guidance – plus a follow‑up assessment and report. 

This program has been successfully delivered by other councils in Melbourne to help businesses that want to reduce the amount of waste they generate. 

As it's a pilot program, places are extremely limited.

Business Renewables Buying Group

The Business Renewables Buying Group aims to help businesses transition to 100% renewable electricity by leveraging collective buying power to reduce costs. An external facilitator will guide the group to maximise their purchasing power, while cutting the complexity, time and cost involved in going 100% renewable.

This group is open to businesses in Victoria that consume over 500MWh of electricity annually (spending approximately $100,000 per year) and have energy contracts ending in 2025 or 2026. 

Business Energy Savers Program

Businesses located in City of Monash can register with Energy Savers to receive free advice about how to become more energy efficient and take advantage of the Victorian Government’s Energy Upgrade initiative.

Energy Savers connects business owners with a selected panel of accredited and trustworthy suppliers who can take care of the upgrades and required paperwork to access the subsidies.

For more information call 1300 571 535 or register below.

Victorian Production Fund - Games

The Victorian Production Fund – Games supports Victorian digital games companies and Victorian key creatives to develop and release high-quality, diverse and engaging digital games. 

Up to $300,000 per stage and up to $500,000 per project is available for eligible projects, with the equity remaining with the company or individual. 

SEMMA Australian Manufacturing BLUEPRINT forum 1

Join SEMMA's forum series to hear current thinking and policy proposals for the manufacturing industry in the lead up to the Victorian State Election.

Forum 1 explores what manufacturers need from Government to encourage growth, investment and increased productivity, as well as what challenges the industry faces.

When: Thursday 30 April, 9am - 1.30pm
Location: Hawthorn Football Club, 94 Tootal Road, Dingley Village
Cost: Tickets from $40 

Use asbestos registers to keep workplaces safe

Asbestos registers are essential for preventing accidental exposure in workplaces. They identify where asbestos is located, its condition, and risks before any maintenance or refurbishment.

WorkSafe warns that outdated or missing registers can lead to dangerous fibre release. Keeping registers current protects workers and ensures compliance with Victorian OHS laws.

Business Victoria: Online workshops, courses and mentoring

Looking to start, grow or take a fresh look at your business? You can register for a short course or webinar or access a FREE online business advice session from an expert.

• Social media and content marketing - 17 April, 10am - 1pm
• Winning government grants and tenders - 20 April, 5pm - 7pm
• Starting your small business - 21 April, 6pm - 9pm
• Taking your business online - 24 April, 10am - 1pm
• Winning government grants and tenders - 30 April, 1pm - 3pm
• Generating cash flow - 4 May, 6pm - 8pm
• Maximising your marketing - 6 May, 10am - 12pm
• Taking your business online - 7 May, 1pm - 4pm
• Advanced strategies to taking your business online - 12 May, 1pm - 4pm
   

Free business mentoring for Monash businesses

Monash Council works with the Small Business Mentoring Service to provide eligible local business owners with up to 4 FREE one-hour sessions with an experienced business mentor.

Email ecodev@monash.vic.gov.au if you are interested in accessing this service.