This year, Ventures was fortunate to be supported by an outstanding group of 11 student Ambassadors — Candida Heissel Amalraj, Elouise Comber, Gia Hao Vo, Hein Reitmann, Jack Feng, Jussi Djachenko, Mritul Narayanan Rajesh, Sam Eghtedari, Sarah Abdulkalek, and Yichen (Ellie) Dai — and our incredible Chief Student Entrepreneur, Yarra Kiseleva.
From O-Week through to the final Startup Showcase, they showed up at every program and event, helped deliver world-class experiences for students, and proudly flew the Ventures flag all year. We’re incredibly grateful for their energy, commitment, and the way they shaped the spirit of entrepreneurship at UQ.
While we’ll be sad to see many of them move on, we could not be prouder of what they’ve achieved — and the legacy they leave for future students.
Celebrating Our 2025 Ventures Ambassadors
Our Ambassadors are the heartbeat of Ventures. This year they:
- Delivered 112+ program sessions
- Connected with 6,000+ students across workshops and events
- Helped run 26 major Ventures events
- Dedicated 600+ hours to building community across campus
Their leadership, generosity, and enthusiasm helped thousands of students discover entrepreneurship for the first time.
“Ambassadors are the top tier of students who have taken part in our programs. They’ve shown up week in, week out and are already making the most out of all the opportunities available to them at UQ. We want to work closely with these students to give them skills and connections that can help them with their own entrepreneurial journey or stand out when applying for jobs.” — Gav Parry, UQ Ventures Manager
Reflections From Our Ambassadors
“As a UQ Ventures Ambassador, it's about being a bridge between students and the startup ecosystem… helping them see that startups aren't some untouchable thing — you just have to put yourself out there.” - Ellie Dai (Business & Journalism)
“It’s so rewarding seeing students grow through our programs… It’s an amazing team to work with, and you have so many opportunities for your own professional and personal growth.” - Elouise Comber (PhD Student)
Celebrating Our Chief Student Entrepreneur: Yarra Kiseleva
This year’s Chief Student Entrepreneur, Yarra Kiseleva, founder of Seatfinder, used her platform to champion student founders and represent UQ’s innovation community at the highest levels.
In 2025, Yarra:
- Met with the Queensland Minister for Education
- Represented Ventures at Brisbane City Council Founder Forums
- Delivered the opening address at the Startup Showcase
- Mentored students throughout Ventures programs
“Being the 2025 Chief Student Entrepreneur at Ventures meant earning a seat in the rooms where the future of innovation is shaped. Every conversation this year, from founders to policymakers, reinforced one truth: real impact starts when students stop waiting for permission.” — Yarra Kiseleva
“Getting to know Yarra over the last 12 months has been incredibly inspiring. Seeing a student who is so curious about the world and themselves is really cool. I’m going to miss the texts for advice or just to bounce ideas around.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Yarra is going to squeeze everything she can out of life — and I can’t wait to see where that takes her.” — Gav Parry
Yarra follows in the footsteps of past Chiefs: Jack Feng, Finn Larson, Tom Bizzell, Rachel Huang, Rachael Dagge, Josh Tambunan, and Ben Coughlin.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we celebrate the incredible contributions of this year’s Ambassadors and Chief Student Entrepreneur, we’re already looking ahead with excitement. In 2026, we’ll welcome a new cohort of Ambassadors and a new Chief Student Entrepreneur, students who will continue the legacy of leadership, curiosity, and community-building that makes Ventures what it is.
We can’t wait to meet the next group of students who will help shape UQ’s entrepreneurial future.
If you’re interested in becoming an Ambassador in the future, the best thing you can do is get involved with our programs in 2026.
EOI’s Now Open for 2026 Ventures Programs
