FaBA Growth Hub

Fuelling Growth. Shaping the Future of Food with our FaBa Growth Hub Program.

The FaBA Growth Hub is a 12-week program built to accelerate Australian food and beverage SMEs and startups ready to innovate, scale, and meet the demands of a changing market.

Designed as a one-day-per-week commitment, the program provides access to a powerful support system that helps founders de-risk their venture, refine their product, and get investor-ready.

Participants receive tailored, in-kind support including expert mentorship, industry workshops, and strategic introductions to investors and partners. Working closely with Entrepreneurs in Residence, they also benefit from shared learning alongside a cohort of ambitious founders tackling challenges across ingredients, packaging, nutrition, and more.

By the end of the program, ventures are positioned for real commercial growth — ready to raise capital, grow confidently, and lead the transformation of Australia’s food and beverage sector.

Sectors may include:

  • Analytics & data services for F&B
  • Digital F&B platforms & software
  • Food safety & traceability tech
  • F&B Manufacturing improvements
  • Novel food & beverage (B2C)
  • Novel ingredients (B2B)
  • Packaging innovations
  • Processing tech
  • Supply‑chain & logistics solutions

The Program will be delivered virtually on Tuesdays for 12 weeks (Tuesday, July 22, 2025 to Tuesday October 7, 2025).

Applications close on June 23, 4:00 pm AEST.

Apply for the FaBA Growth Hub

FaBA Growth Hub is a 12-week program.

Key dates

Applications close on June 23, 4:00 pm AEST
July 11 - Application Outcomes issued
Week 1–12: Tuesdays July 22  to October 7
Pitch Night: Early October

Weekly contact days include:

  • Founder updates to the cohort
  • Talks from industry experts, founders and Entrepreneurs in Residence e.g. IP, agreements, marketing, team building, partnerships, founders’ stories.
  • Structured program and mentoring with an Entrepreneur in Residence and industry mentors
  • Founder health and wellbeing

Throughout the program your team will have access to:

  • 24/7 co-working space and makerspace
  • regular seminars supporting early-stage startups
  • mentors, our Entrepreneur in Residence and a network of professionals and potential investors
  • partnership benefits from Google, Microsoft, AWS, Hubspot, Matlab, Makerspace and more.

Pitch Night event to be held at the end of the program in early October 2025 to showcase program participants (by invitation) to the ecosystem and investor network.
 

FaBa application information session 1

Date: Thursday 5 June
Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm AEST
Venue: Online via Zoom
Register for info session 1

FaBa application information session 2

Date: Monday 16 June
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm AEST
Venue: Online via Zoom
Register for info session 2

We are looking for passionate and committed leaders who have validated their value proposition, an initial sustainable business model and a solution.

When you apply you will need to provide evidence of customer interviews, market research and business modelling. Having a minimum viable product is ideal, but is not required to join the program.  

Program Overview   View Agreement

You will be required to sign the FaBa Growth Hub Program Agreement to participate in the program. Please review the agreement document. Participating in the program is a one-day a week commitment between Tuesday July 22 and Tuesday October 7. 

Program Participants are expected to participate in at least 90 percent of the provided workshops and accountability sessions. Lower participation may result in the team being removed from the program.

Application Process

Entry into the FaBA Growth Hub is highly competitive. Only the most promising ventures make it through the five-stage selection process and earn their place in the program. 

Apply here

Stage 1. Online application and video

Applications will be open from 12:00 PM AEST on Monday 18 May 2025 and close at 12:00PM AEST on Monday 23 June 2025 (Application Period). Applications received outside of the Application Period will not be accepted.

To enter, applicants must, during the Application Period, fully complete and submit an online application form which consists of a mix of written and video responses.

Once submitted, all applications become the property of UQ. 


Stage 2.  FaBa Growth Hub Selections: First-round interviews
Online applications are assessed by a selection committee for shortlisting. Up to 25 businesses/projects will be invited to participate in the FaBA Growth Hub Program Selections.  Shortlisting is undertaken by the experienced UQ FaBA Growth Hub Program delivery team and qualified mentors, based on the key selection criteria.

Stage 3.  FaBa Growth Hub Selections: Second-round interviews

The FaBA Growth Hub Program Selections’ process includes: 

First round interviews: 5-minute pitch followed by 5-minute Q&A in front of a selection panel. 

Following first round interviews, applicants will be shortlisted to a maximum of 15 teams.


Stage 4. Successful candidates notified
The selection committee will decide on the final cohort based on Stage 3. Candidates will be notified on Friday July 11, 2025. Successful teams will be required to sign the FaBa Growth Hub Program Agreement (deadline Thursday July 17, 4:00 pm EST) prior to starting the program.

Resources

Program Overview

View Agreement

 

Questions

Please contact Program Manager, Adelaide Coman
r.coman@uq.edu.au