Turn your startup dream into reality.
The UQ Ventures Empower Pre-Accelerator is your launchpad to build a strong, scalable startup—designed for women ready to make their mark.
This 10-week journey will equip you with the tools, confidence, and community to land your first customer and beyond.
Why Empower?
Women are still underrepresented in the startup world—and we’re here to change that.
Empower is more than a program; it’s a community to ensure women founders have the support, knowledge, and network to thrive.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in startup essentials:
- Validating your idea and finding product-market fit
- Navigating legal and business setup
- Managing finances and exploring funding options
- Building your Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
- Crafting a sales and marketing strategy
- Practising the art of pitching
Who Can Apply?
We offer three exciting pathways to join Empower:
UQ Startups
For solo founders or teams with a scalable business idea that you have validated, a UQ connection (student, staff, or alum), and at least 50% women on the founding team.
External Startups
Open to founders outside the UQ community with a scalable business idea that you have validated, and at least 50% women on the founding team. External startups must be open to collaborating with a UQ Aspiring Entrepreneur during the program.
UQ Aspiring Entrepreneurs
UQ students who do not have their own startup idea, who are eager to gain real-world entrepreneurial experience by teaming up with a startup for the duration of the program. Aspiring Entrepreneurs will learn alongside and support the founder(s) of their matched startup.
Join a Thriving Community
Whether you're a solo founder or part of a team, Empower offers a vibrant, inclusive space to collaborate, experiment, and grow. You’ll be surrounded by like-minded innovators, mentors, and experts who are just as passionate about your success as you are.
Ready to take the leap?
Start building the future you believe in by clicking on the 'Apply' tab below and selecting the relevent pathway.
Applications for all pathways close at 12pm (AEST) on Tuesday 27 January 2026.
As part of the Ventures Empower program you will:
- Experience 10 weeks of engaging content crafted to resonate with the unique experiences and aspirations of women who are innovators and entrepreneurs.
- Connect with like-minded women, learn from each other's experiences, and form bonds that will extend beyond the program.
- Learn from successful entrepreneurs and mentors who've navigated similar paths, offering insights, advice, and a supportive network.
- Polish your pitching skills and showcase your unique vision with potential supporters at the Ventures Empower demo day.
The program will be delivered in-person in Brisbane.
Program: This program runs on Thursday evenings with two Saturday intensives from Thursday 26 February to Saturday 2 May 2026.
Empower Demo Day: The pitch event for the program is on Thursday 7 May, 5.30pm -8pm.
For UQ and External Startups
In-Person Info session
Date: Wednesday 17 December 2025
Time: 4.30pm - 5.30pm
Venue: Ventures, GCI Building, UQ Saint Lucia Campus
Register to join the information session
Fireside chat info session - Meet our founders & EiRs
Date: Thursday 15 January 2026
Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Venue: 308 Queen Street
Register to join the information session
Online Info session
Date: Thursday 22 January
Time: 12pm - 12.45pm
Venue: Online (Zoom)
Register to join the information session
For Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Online info session
Date: Wednesday 17 December 2025
Time: 10am - 10.30am
Venue: Online (Zoom)
Register to join the information session
Online info session
Date: Thursday 22 January 2026
Time: 2pm - 2.30pm
Venue: Online (Zoom)
We offer three pathways to join Empower
1.) UQ Startups:
To be eligible to apply, UQ startup teams must:
- be individual women founders or startup teams with at least 50% women ownership;
- consist of active and committed founders who are over the age of 18 years;
- have a strong connection with UQ as evidenced by one of the founders meeting one of the following criteria:
- be an undergraduate or postgraduate student of UQ in 2026, including PhD candidates.
- be an alumna / alumnus of UQ; or
- be a current UQ staff (research / academic / professional) member.
The balance of the founders who do not meet the above criteria need not have any relationship with UQ.
2.) External Startups:
To be eligible to apply, external startup teams must:
- be individual women founders or startup teams with at least 50% women ownership, who do not satisfy the connection criteria with UQ as set out in the third eligibility criteria for UQ Startups above;
- consist of active and committed founders who are over the age of 18 years;
- be willing to be matched with an Aspiring Entrepreneur for the duration of the Program.
3.) UQ Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
To be eligible to apply, UQ Aspiring Entrepreneurs must:
- be an undergraduate or postgraduate student of UQ in 2026, including PhD candidates;
- be 18 years or over at the time of application;
- be willing to be matched with a startup team for the duration of the Program.
Please read the full program Terms and Conditions before applying and familiarise yourself with the different pathways.
Applications for all pathways close at 12pm (AEST) on Tuesday 27 January 2026.
Select your pathway to apply:
The 2026 Empower program is supported by:
Program testimonials
Empower helped take our original idea from a concept to an actual business with a clear vision, validation plan and roadmap to bring it to life! The lessons we learnt along the way and safe space the team created for us to try, fail and pivot have been invaluable.
-Yass, Co-Founder of Club Celcius
The UQ Empower program for women founders has been a such an amazing learning and growth experience, with really supportive mentors and co-founders. It has helped build my confidence, equipped me with more skills and knowledge and I've gained a group of great female founder friends. Definitely apply for the next cohort if you're an early stage founder and looking for support. You'll gain so much more!
- Sandra, Founder of Healthtrition
Joining Empower has been an incredible journey! The mentoring, expert sessions, and community support truly boosted my confidence and shaped the way I think about building a startup. I felt inspired every week and gained practical insights that I can directly apply to my business goals. It’s one of the most empowering experiences I’ve had as an aspiring entrepreneur.
- Vanda, Co-Founder of Magoona
Questions
Please contact Program Manager, Beth Lawrance, b.lawrance@uq.edu.au.