Inside the Experience: FaBA Food Innovation Challenge

Over six weeks, participants from a mix of disciplines — including science, business, agriculture, engineering, and technology — work in teams to develop innovative solutions tackling real-world challenges. With direct access to industry experts, mentors, and the FaBA network, students walk away with practical experience that goes well beyond theory.

For many, the value of the program comes from these connections:

“The highlight for me was making a few valuable connections with other industry experts. These interactions were insightful and reinforced the value of industry-academic collaboration.” — Anna Tao, Venture Builder at Beanstalk AgTech

Industry mentors consistently highlight the quality of conversations and depth of ideas coming out of the challenge:

“My engagement with the cohort was energising. I really enjoyed having meaningful conversations and challenging the ventures to think critically about the barriers they may face when validating an idea in the agrifood-tech space. The experience exceeded my expectations – I walked away with a real spring in my step.” — Global Program Manager, Farmers2Founders

Beyond the weekly sessions and workshops, participants also gain exposure to the wider UQ Ventures ecosystem, with pathways into programs like Validate, Hustle, Empower, ilab Accelerator, and more.

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. 

No startup idea? No problem. We’re looking for curious students ready to get involved and explore where innovation can take them.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2025 FaBA Food Innovation Challenge are open.

• Program kicks off August 20th
• Open to UQ students from all disciplines

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