Q: How much, and when?

A: $1K per successful applicant. We start on the 27th of January, going through to the end of February.

Q: How do students apply?

A: We're running an entry event, which involves being interviewed by our mentors on the 16th of December.

Get amongst it!

Q: $1K covers everything?

A: Not quite. We'll also run some crowd-funding early 2014 to cover some extra cool stuff, like filming course content, hiring extra staff + experts, and building web collateral.

Q: Where is the course?

A: It will be run within inner Melbourne.

If it all works to plan, we'll be able to roll out 10 courses per year in multiple locations, ongoing indefinitely.

Q: ​Q: How will you prove it works?

A: We'll run an impact evaluation, both short and long term, comparing our students to a control group, before and after the course. We'll also keep tabs on students over a 3 and 6 month period to evaluate the real-world effects. Are students happy, making money, running projects and making the world better? We want real-world outcomes.

Q: How can I make sure I'm chosen for the first round?

A: You can't. Those of you who don’t make it into the first course will still get access to all the course material and reading lists, as well as early access to video content and future courses.

When this pilot is done, our first step to scale is to run multiple courses per building, per year. We’re really excited to scale within Australia to other areas, including modified courses for at-risk young people, older folks on redundancy who need re-skilling and people struggling with unemployment.

Q: What if I can't afford the entry fee?

A: Thus begins the first lesson in entrepreneurship. You're going to have to raise it somehow, as we're unable to offer scholarships or financial assistance at this time. Consider it your first challenge: If you can fundraise $1000 you've probably got what it takes to make it through the full course!

Q: Is there an age restriction?

A: Precisely the opposite. We quite deliberately want as much diversity in age, gender, background and character we can get. Just like real life.

If you're at a crossroads in life and aren't sure what's next, this is the course for you.

Q: What's the interview process?

A: You'll have time with one of our mentors to chat about your life, where you're headed and what you want to be. It will be much less formal than any job interview.

If you can't be in Melbourne for the interview, we'll arrange a Skype interview.

Q: Can i do the course part-time?

A: Nope, it's a full-time intensive course - see the schedule above! If you're selected, you'll have to block out the entire month of February to commit to this.

Q: Is it okay if I can't make it to lunch or dinner during the course?

A: Yep! Food is optional but recommended. That said, we expect some of the best learning to happen during informal chats over food.

Q: Dietary issues: Will you cater to me or do I bring my own food?

A: We'll sort you out. Eating is important, just let us know and we'll make sure you're covered. Halal, vegan, coeliac, allergies? All no problem.

Q: Will I get any qualifications or accreditations?

A: You won't get a paper certificate, if that's what you're asking. We are in talks with Swinburne university to get credit for the course, but we expect the whole ‘get an actual job’ thing will more than make up for the lack of a formal qualification.

Q: I don't have any work experience. Can I still come?

A: Very yes. We expect course content to be suitable for people who are ready for a normal university.

By the same token, we don't discriminate against having prior experience. As with age and gender, we want a solid mix of people.

Q: What are the selection criteria for students?

A: There aren't any. You get interviewed by a mentor who feels out if you have what it takes. We are supportive of introverts, can deal with the extroverts and will very deliberately make sure we end up with a mix of personality types in the course. Everyone will have that unifying desire to get shit done.

Q: Do I need to know how to code?

A: No code experience necessary. That said, some of our mentors work at startups, we will apply a lean approach to most of the content, and 1/5th of the course is about technology. The knowledge economy requires it.

Q: Is there any recognition of prior learning?

A: Nope. Prior life experience denotes where you are headed and what you want out of life.

We only care that you're ready and hyped to get shit done.

Q: Is it just the 4 weeks?

A: Our experts will give provide reading and activity material in the month leading up and we'll be helping with outgoing learning. How much work you do before and after is up to you.