REFINE Program
Founders Circle
A facilitated space for social entreprenuers
The Refine: Founders Circle is for established social entrepreneurs who are ready to explore what’s possible for their work and want the space and the people to do that properly.
You might be at a point where:
- Your enterprise is established (2+ years) and you’re facing different questions than when you started — about sustainability, depth of impact, or what the work could look like from here
- You’re weighing significant shifts — rethinking your business model or revenue, identifying options for greater impact, or exploring new collaborations and want sharper thinking partners for it
- You’re making important decisions and want fresh perspectives and honest feedback from people who will challenge you as much as they support you
- You’re looking for something beyond networking, a place to get into the real substance of your business, test ambitious ideas, and move forward with clear next steps
- You’re ready to engage openly with both what’s working and what isn’t, sharing your wins and challenges and supporting your peers with theirs
This is a space for people who want to think expansively about their direction — whatever that means for you — and be supported by others who understand the realities, and the ambitions, of purpose-led work.
Open to TMHV alumni and other established social entrepreneurs in the Canberra region.
Founders Circle
What's included
Facilitated Circle Sessions
A monthly, in-person session (2.5 hours) designed as a structured space for ambitious thinking and real problem-solving. Each session is carefully facilitated to support open dialogue, surface new possibilities, and deepen understanding of the challenges and strengths you’re working with.
Peer Pods
A small group (3–4 people) that meets monthly between sessions. These self-guided conversations keep you connected to your thinking and to people who’ll challenge and encourage you, with light structure to keep discussions purposeful.
Mid-month Check-in
A short, optional online check-in to reconnect with your focus, reflect on progress, and maintain momentum between sessions.
1:1 Strategic Clarity Session
One focused, 90-minute individual thinking partnership session designed to help you work through a particular challenge, a new possibility, or a moment of overwhelm — and identify your next best steps.
Expert Conversations
1–2 sessions with invited practitioners, shaped around the questions and themes emerging from the group. Designed to broaden what feels possible, rather than provide prescriptive answers.
Additional 1:1 Strategic Clarity Sessions are available as optional add-ons.
Format
| Duration | 4 months — Starting end July 2026 (Dates to be decided with the group) |
| Cohort size | 8–10 participants |
| Location | In-person at The Mill House Ventures Social Enterprise Hub, University of Canberra (mastermind sessions); online (check-ins) |
| Investment | $800 per participant for the full program |
This program is supported by the Snow Foundation, enabling it to be offered at a subsidised rate (valued at $1,500 per person).
We want to ensure this program is accessible for everyone who really needs it. Please get in touch if cost is a barrier.
What you’ll walk away with
Clarity on what’s actually possible
A sharper, more expansive sense of where you could take your work and where to focus your time and energy to get there
A meaningful next step, not just an unstuck one
Progress on what’s felt stuck, and momentum toward the ideas you’ve been sitting on
More confident, grounded decisions
Moving forward with conviction, based on your own thinking, including the decisions that feel like a risk
A clearer view of your situation
Space to step back and work with what’s actually true, without losing sight of what’s possible
A trusted group of peers and advisors
People who will challenge and encourage you to keep thinking alongside beyond the program
Renewed energy and direction
A stronger sense of momentum, purpose, and what comes next
How to apply
The Refine: Founders Circle is closed for 2026. If you’d like to be the first to know about when future program will be released, join our mailing list.
Places are limited to keep the group small and the thinking deep.
Need some tailored assistance with your social enterprise?
Our REFINE program targets established social enterprises in need tailored short term consulting to refine practices, overcome a challenge, gain access to a new opportunity, or any other assistance you may require.
Guided by one of our Social entrepreneurs in residence and The Mill House Ventures team, the REFINE program utilises a combination of strategic planning and interactive discussions to help you supercharge your social enterprise.
Each engagement is completely different and tailored to your needs to provide the guidance and tools you need to take the next step in your journey and build your enterprises stability and path forward to sustainable impact.
If you have any questions or would like to enquire if you’re suitable for the REFINE program please book a consult to chat to one of the team.
If you’re ready to take the next step, complete the expression of interest below and one of the team will reach out to you to discuss the path forward.
Through funding provided by
Refine EOI
This form is designed to collect some basic information about your social impact venture. All information you provide is considered private and confidential.
The questions are designed to assess your trading model, social impact, and your barriers to growth. The things we are looking for are:
- A demonstrated commitment to social entrepreneurship (we want to know that you are selling products and services for impact, not applying for grants or running a charity for donations)
- Established social enterprise (generating income for at least 12 months or a new impact area within an existing social enterprise)
- Potential for even greater impact in the future (REFINE is all about identifying and removing barriers to impact growth for established social enterprises)
This form is designed to collect some basic information about your social impact venture. All information you provide is considered private and confidential.
The questions are designed to assess your trading model, social impact, and your barriers to growth. The things we are looking for are:
- A demonstrated commitment to social entrepreneurship (we want to know that you are selling products and services for impact, not applying for grants or running a charity for donations)
- Established social enterprise (generating income for at least 12 months or a new impact area within an existing social enterprise)
- Potential for even greater impact in the future (REFINE is all about identifying and removing barriers to impact growth for established social enterprises)
Bring Your Ideas
Get In Touch
The Mill House Ventures supports social entrepreneurship in Canberra through programs, professional services, and a platform for innovation and collaboration.
