Applications Now Open: FaBA Food Innovation Challenge 2025

After an incredible first year, the FaBA Food Innovation Challenge is back for 2025 — and we’re on the hunt for the next group of problem solvers ready to take on some of the biggest challenges facing the global food and beverage sector.

Running over six weeks in Semester 2, the Food Innovation Challenge (FIC) gives UQ students a unique opportunity to build real-world solutions, connect with industry leaders, and explore new frontiers in food, agritech, and sustainability.

“Food Innovation Challenge 2024 was the first major student engagement that FaBA has participated in, and we were blown away by the incredible businesses that were developed. I can’t wait to see what global challenges for the Food and Beverage sector that FIC 2025 solves.”

— Justin Nugent, Manager of FaBA Training Centre

What is the FaBA Food Innovation Challenge?

The challenge brings together students from diverse disciplines — science, business, agriculture, engineering, technology, and more — to work in teams and develop early-stage startup concepts focused on innovation in food and beverage. Across six weeks, participants receive targeted mentoring, hands-on workshops, and access to experts from across the FaBA ecosystem and wider industry networks.

Whether it's tackling supply chain issues, sustainability challenges, or developing cutting-edge food tech solutions, the program gives students a rare opportunity to apply their skills to real-world industry problems.

Success Stories from 2024

Last year’s cohort produced a range of impressive business ideas, but one standout was Polinate, founded by UQ students Adeep and Corey. After developing their idea during FIC 2024, Polinate — a SaaS platform helping restaurateurs streamline supplier orders — went on to secure a place in UQ Ventures' ilab Accelerator program earlier this year, continuing to build their venture and gain support from the wider startup ecosystem.

"The mentor meetings were invaluable time for us, the resources and connections we gained from it is something we still use to this day."

— Adeep, Co-Founder of Polinate

Why Apply?

• Work on real challenges shaping the future of food and beverage
• Collaborate with industry mentors and leading experts
• Build practical innovation, teamwork, and entrepreneurship skills
• Take your idea further through UQ Ventures programs and FaBA networks. 

You don’t need a startup idea to apply — we’re looking for curious minds, diverse perspectives, and a passion for tackling real problems.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2025 FaBA Food Innovation Challenge are now open.

• Program kicks off 20th of August (Semester 2, 2025) 
• Open to UQ students from all disciplines.

Spots are limited — Apply now and be part of shaping the future of food innovation!