Fish Tank Entrepreneurship Program

Terms and Conditions of Entry The promoter is the City of Unley, 181 Unley Road, Unley SA 5061

Eligibility:

•  Applicants must live, study, work or play in the City of Unley.
• Applicants must be 8 - 25 years of age at the time of entry.
• Applicants must complete the online entry form at unley.sa.gov.au/fish-tank
• Applicants may submit only one version of their business idea/ product per online application form. However, any applicant may submit more than one pitch. A separate entry form must be completed for each submission.
• An Application may be submitted for an existing business and or product but the applicant must be able to prove that they need the financial and mentoring support for their business or product to develop further.
• Applicants for the 8 – 12 years and 13 – 17 years age categories can apply as part of a group of up to 4 participants providing the group is working on the same idea. Please note – prizes are awarded per idea, not per person. Prize only awarded per person if it is a single applicant.
• Applicants for the 18 – 25 years age category can only apply as a single applicant. Please note – prizes are awarded per person as there is only one placement for the SA Business Chamber, Early-Stage Entrepreneurs Program (ESEP) prize.
• Previous Fish Tank participants may submit an application, however it must be for a different business idea and or product than previously presented.
• Living Young Reference Group members may submit an application.
• Applications close on Sunday 17 May 2026, midnight.
• Applications received after the closure date/time will not be eligible.
• All applicants under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or guardian to enter the competition and who must agree to the terms and conditions on behalf of the applicant.
• All applicants under the age of 18 who progress to the Live Fish Tank Pitch Night must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to the Fish Tank Pitch Night event.
• Employees and Elected Members of the City of Unley and their immediate families, and agencies associated with the promotion are ineligible to enter.

How to Enter:

• Complete the online application form, including all personal details and outline of business idea and or product.
• Applicants must agree to the terms & conditions of the competition and talent release information as part of the online entry form. Applicants under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or guardian.
• Business idea or product can be anything you like, the more creative the better.
• The City of Unley reserves the right to disqualify any person who tampers with the entry process. 
• Applicants must ensure that their business idea or product does not violate any copyright laws. The City of Unley takes no responsibility for entrants who do not submit original content.
• No responsibility will be accepted for late, or misdirected entries or entries sent but not received by The City of Unley.
• Entry details remain the property of the City of Unley.

Judging Process:

• All applications will be assessed against a criteria by an internal panel comprising the Community Development Project Officer – Youth, Team Leader of Community & Cultural Development and one other panel member who will determine the top 12 finalists. There will be 4 finalists per age category. The criteria will assess impact, innovation, creativity, practicality and budget.
• Feedback for unsuccessful applicants will not be provided.
• The top 12 finalists will be notified by email and phone by Thursday 21 May 2026.
• The top 12 finalists must be available to participate in the Pitch & Presentation workshop on Saturday 30 May 2026, 1:00pm – 3:00pm, at the Fullarton Park Community Centre.
• The top 12 finalists will pitch their business idea at the ‘Fish Tank, Pitch Night’ on Thursday 4 June 2026, 5:45pm for a 6:00pm start – 8:00pm, at the Unley Town Hall.
• Should any of the finalists not be able to attend the Pitch & Presentation workshop and or the Fish Tank Pitch Night, they will forfeit their place in the competition and another applicant may take that place.
• Finalists must give a 3 minute pitch to present their business idea to a panel of judges. Judges will then have one minute after the pitch to ask questions to the finalist.
• Pitches must not exceed 3 minutes.
• The three category winners of Fish Tank, chosen by the judges based on the judging criteria will be announced at the Fish Tank Pitch Night event.
• The judge’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

Competition Timeline:

• The promotion to call for submissions, commences Monday 2 March 2026, 9:00am and closes Sunday 17 May 2026, midnight.
• Fish Tank Entrepreneurship Workshop for 8 – 25 years, Thursday 23 April 2026, 10am – 12pm at the Fullarton Park Community Centre. Young people will get the opportunity to learn more about entrepreneurship and assist them to prepare their application forms. Young people will also hear from business leaders and young entrepreneurs. Free, Registration is essential - visit unley.sa.gov.au/fish-tank by 21 April 2026.
• Fish Tank Social Enterprise Workshop for 8 – 25 years, Thursday 23 April 2026, 1pm – 3pm at the Fullarton Park Community Centre. Young people will get the opportunity to learn more about social enterprise. Free, Registration is essential - visit unley.sa.gov.au/fish-tank by 21 April 2026.
• Presentation & Pitch Workshop (only for the top 12 finalists); Saturday 30 May 2026, 1:00pm – 3:00pm at the Fullarton Park Community Centre. The top 12 finalists will gain skills in public speaking and learn the art of pitching/ presenting.
• Fish Tank Pitch Night; Thursday 4 June 2026, 5:45pm for a 6:00pm start – 8:00pm, at the Unley Town Hall.

Prizes:

8 – 12 years - 1st Prize

• $800 seed money
• Futurepreneurs Launchpad mentoring package facilitated by entrepreneurship educator Sasha Dragovelic, including two x 2 hour mentoring sessions (valued at $780)
• (if applicable/ winner sells a tangible product – a stall with site fee covered at the Clarence Park Community Centre Kids Market in 2026, date to be confirmed)

 13 – 17 years - 1st Prize

• $1000 seed money
• Futurepreneurs Launchpad mentoring package facilitated by entrepreneurship educator Sasha Dragovelic, including two x 2 hour mentoring sessions (valued at $780)

18 – 25 years - 1st Prize

• $1000 seed money

• SA Business Chamber, Early-Stage Entrepreneurs Program (ESEP) 12 month workshop and mentoring program (valued at $1,500)

Social Enterprise Award - this award honours the young person that aims to deliver positive social and environmental impact through the power of business. This category would be open to all ages 8 – 25 years.

• $300 seed money
• Business Mentoring with Collab 4 Good (4 hours valued at $720)

Inspire Pitch Award - this award honours the young person that delivers the most compelling and impactful pitch. Demonstrating a clear vision, persuasive communication and entrepreneurial passion. This category would be open to all ages 8 – 25 years.

• $300 seed money
• Business Advisory meeting with Vivienne Pitman, Director, Tilbrook Rasheed Chartered Accountants (2 x 45-minute sessions, valued at $700)

All top 12 finalists will receive a Living Young prize pack and participation certificate.

Fish Tank Winners:

• The winners of the Fish Tank Competition will be announced at the Fish Tank Pitch Night event. The winners will be acknowledged with public announcement posted on the City of Unley website and social media platforms the week starting 8 June 2026, along with further promotional opportunities to follow.
• All prize seed money will be awarded to the winners via direct credit.
• All prize seed money must go towards the winners business idea or product. Within 12 months of receipt of prize seed money the winner must provide the City of Unley with an acquittal form.
• The 18 – 25 year category 1st prize winner will be contacted directly by the SA Business Chamber in regards to the start date of the, Early-Stage Entrepreneurs Program (ESEP).
• The Social Enterprise Award winner will be contacted directly by Collab4Good to coordinate mentoring package start dates. 
• The Inspire Pitch Award winner will be contacted directly by Tilbrook Rasheed Chartered Accountants to coordinate the business advisory meeting.
• The Futurepreneurs Launchpad mentoring package will commence in July 2026 and the category winners will be contacted directly by the Community Development Project Officer - Youth to coordinate the mentoring sessions with the facilitator Futurepreneurs Launchpad.
  
  

Publicity: 

• All finalists of the competition agrees to upon request, participate in promotional activities required by the City of Unley including but not limited to; publicity, photography, video and appearances.
• The finalists consent to the use of their name, photograph and video footage for the City of Unley promotional materials.

I don’t live in the City of Unley, can I still apply? You must live, study, work or play in the City of Unley to apply for Fish Tank. This means your school, place of study, sporting club, recreational club or workplace is located in the City of Unley. If you are unsure if you meet these requirements, please contact Community Development Project Officer - Youth on ldebono@unley.sa.gov.auor (08) 8372 5111.

How strict are the age requirements? Entrants must be aged 8 to 25 years of age at the time of entry.

Can I apply as part of a duo or group?

• Applicants for the 8 – 12 years and 13 – 17 years age categories can apply as part of a group of up to 4 participants providing the group is working on the same idea. Please note – prizes are awarded per idea, not per person. Prize only awarded per person if it is a single applicant.
• Applicants for the 18 – 25 years age category can only apply as a single applicant. Please note – prizes are awarded per person as there is only one placement for the SA Business Chamber, Early-Stage Entrepreneurs Program (ESEP) prize.

What to consider when submitting your business idea/ product for the application form?

 IMPACT -  What impact will your business idea or product have on other people, the community, the environment and even the world?

INNOVATION - Is your business idea or product something new, different, and/or existing?

CREATIVITY - Has imagination been applied to your business idea or product?

PRACTICALITY - Is your business idea or product possible?

BUDGET - Are the costs involved with your business idea or product realistic and achievable?

My business is already established, am I still eligible to apply? Yes, if you have an established business and or product you are still eligible to apply. However, you must be able to prove that you need the financial and mentoring support for your business or product to develop further.

My business is just an idea at this stage, am I still eligible to apply? Yes, if you simply just have an idea, you are eligible to apply. You must ensure that you explain the business idea in detail, in your application form.

I participated in previous Fish Tank’s, am I still eligible to apply? Yes, previous Fish Tank participants may apply, however it must be for a different business idea and or product than previously presented.

What is the prize package? See the Terms & Conditions for a full list of prizes.

What is the time commitment to participate in Fish Tank?

• Fish Tank Applications OPEN - 2 Mar 2026 
• Fish Tank Entrepreneurship Workshop for 8 – 25 years (free/ voluntary workshop) (parents/guardians welcome to attend) - 23 Apr 2026, 10am - 12pm, Fullarton Park Community Centre 
• Fish Tank Social Enterprise Workshop for 8 – 25 years (free/ voluntary workshop) (parents/ guardians welcome to attend) - 23 Apr 2026, 1pm - 3pm, Fullarton Park Community Centre 
• Fish Tank Applications CLOSE - 17 May 2026 
• Presentation & Pitch Workshop (for finalists only) - 30 May 2026, 1pm - 3pm, Fullarton Park Community Centre 
• Fish Tank Pitch Night (for finalists only) - 4 Jun 2026, 5:45pm for a 6pm start - 8pm, Unley Town Hall 

When will I know if I am one of the top 12 finalists? The top 12 finalists will be notified by email by Thursday 21 May 2026. There will be 4 finalists per age category.

I can’t attend the Fish Tank Entrepreneurship Workshops; can I still submit an application form for the Fish Tank Competition? Yes, you can still apply. The free Fish Tank Entrepreneurship Workshops are not mandatory to attend, however it will provide useful information about entrepreneurship and insights from young entrepreneurs and business leaders. It will also assist you in preparing your application form.

If I am selected as one of the Top 12 finalists and I can’t attend the Presentation & Pitch Workshop, can I still pitch my business idea at the Fish Tank Pitch Night? Unfortunately, No. It is mandatory to attend the Presentation & Pitch workshop if you have been selected as one of the Top 12 finalists to be able to pitch at the live Fish Tank Pitch Night. If you are unable to attend the Presentation & Pitch workshop, then you will forfeit your place in the competition.

If I am selected as one to the Top 12 finalists and I can’t attend the Fish Tank Pitch Night, can I still participate in Fish Tank? Unfortunately, No. It is mandatory to attend the Fish Tank Pitch Night if you have been selected as one of the Top 12 finalists. If you are unable to attend the Fish Tank Pitch Night, then you will forfeit your place in the competition.  

Who are the judges for the live Fish Tank Pitch Night?

• Representative from SA Business Chamber
• Representative from Tilbrook Rasheed Chartered Accountants
• Representative from Rotary Club of Unley
• Representative from Collab 4 Good
• Aria Bradley, Young Entrepreneur and Fish Tank 2025 Winner

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the Community Development Project Officer - Youth at ldebono@unley.sa.gov.au

Learn about entrepreneurship, social enterprise and how to develop your own business idea at an age-appropriate FREE Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise Workshop’s. Open to all young people aged 8 – 25 who live, study, work or play in the City of Unley.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP WORKSHOP FOR 8 – 25 YEARS

• Thursday 23 April 2026
• 10am – 12pm
• Fullarton Park Community Centre, 411 Fullarton Road, Fullarton

Register here 

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE WORKSHOP FOR 8 – 25 YEARS

• Thursday 23 April 2026
• 1pm – 3pm
• Fullarton Park Community Centre, 411 Fullarton Road, Fullarton

Register here

Parents and guardians are welcome to accompany their children, bookings only required for young people.