As we round out the year, I’ve been thinking about what makes the ICC feel special, and it always comes back to the same thing: this community gives as much as it gets. Watching founders who came through our doors years ago now turn around and offer their time, advice, and (battle-tested!) wisdom to the next wave has been one of the best themes of 2025. It’s generosity in action, and it makes the whole ecosystem stronger.
We also hit a milestone: the ICC turned 10. Naturally, we marked the occasion in the most dignified way possible: with a Stealing Santa involving more than 40 people, many excellent gifts, and a room full of adults openly plotting petty theft. There’s a moment every year, about a third of the way in, when the glint appears in people’s eyes, and you know we’ve crossed from polite festivity into full strategic warfare. A truly beautiful sight.
To me, the ICC is a place that supplies the fuel - knowledge, refreshments, snacks (usually all three) - that helps entrepreneurs keep going through one of the most challenging and exhilarating journeys they’ll ever take. And the best part is doing all this alongside an incredible team who bring heart, humour and an unreasonable tolerance for my ‘great’ ideas.
As we look ahead to joining Adelaide University, there’s a real sense of excitement. The ICC will continue to be the ICC, just with new opportunities, more collaborators, and an even bigger platform for the founders we exist to support. The team is already deep in preparations for the next cohort, and I can’t wait to see what they bring through the door.
Thank you for being part of this community; for the energy, the courage, and the generosity you bring to it.
Wishing you a safe and happy holidays!
Craig
