San Francisco Startup AdVenture

During your San Francisco Startup AdVenture, you can expect to:

• Experience first-hand the life in a San Francisco startup and gain valuable insight into the San Francisco startup ecosystem
• Network with global startups and leaders in innovation
• Develop your entrepreneurial skills with a program of events and activities organised by UQ Ventures
• Collaborate with your peers and build your connections through team building activities and social activities
• Build your resilience and get out of your comfort zone to learn new skills and test your limits
• Undertake your own project (agreed with your startup) to extend your learning experience

• Develop cross-cultural communication and digital work skills
• Build your understanding of the Shenzhen startup scene
• Complete a real-world, international business project that you can add to your portfolio
• Develop and apply entrepreneurial skills highly sought by employers across all industries and around the world
• Gain confidence in presenting and pitching
• Grow your global networks and connections
• Form new friendships with your fellow participants

Group interviews (in-person - St Lucia campus) – selected applicants only

• Mon 18 Aug 12.30pm - 1.30pm
• Tue 19 Aug 2.30pm - 3.30pm
• Wed 20 Aug 10.30am - 11.30am

Startup AdVenture participants only

Students successful accepting an offer to participate in the San Francisco Startup AdVenture are required to attend the following pre-departure sessions:

Pre-departure session (In-person - St Lucia campus) – Mandatory

• Wednesday 29 October 9:30am-12:00pm

UQ Travel Insurance briefing (Online - Zoom) – Mandatory

• Thursday 30 October – 10-11am

Successful applicants will have the cost of their participation in the program covered by a UQ Grant. Students who are successful in being invited to join a Startup AdVenture program do not need to do anything in relation to the funding - the UQ Grant will be automatically applied by the UQ Ventures team. 

San Francisco is an expensive city.

You MUST research the cost of living in San Francisco, including groceries, eating out, Uber fares for common routes, etc. and ensure you are prepared and have adequate funds to cover your food, drink, meals, transportation and other expenditure for the duration of the program.

Check out cost of living resources such as:

• Budget Direct Insurance: Cost of living compare Brisbane vs San Francisco
• Numbeo: Cost of living San Francisco

Find out more information and start the application process here:

Start your application process

"The Startup AdVenture Program has been the best program of my life - it was truly an experience that is not offered anywhere else in the world! You get to level up 100x in your way of thinking, experience things you never thought you'd be able to, discover incredible career possibilities, make connections with the most ambitious people in the world, and get to explore the biggest companies right in the heart of their headquarters. There is not a single reason as to why you wouldn't join this life-changing program!"

Quianna, 2nd year Bachelor of Business Management student

"The Startup AdVenture program was an amazing opportunity to gain leadership skills and startup expertise that I’ve now translated to my own deep tech company. I am also so grateful for the experience as I’ve gained new life-long friends who share a mission for innovating for a better future. I highly recommend this uniquely immersive experience that cannot be accessed elsewhere."

Naomi, Bachelor of Science (Honours), Psychology & Neuroscience graduate