Ventures

Ventures reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of our community. While you can’t predict the future, you can develop the knowledge, networks and skills to pivot between current and emerging careers and flourish wherever life takes you.

ABOUT VENTURES

2026 ilab applications are open

Apply for the 2026 ilab Accelerator. ilab is for startups at or near product-ready stage and pre- or early revenue, aiming to scale rapidly. Participants receive a $15,000 SAFE note investment from UniQuest Extension Fund. Applications close 27 January 2026.

2026 Empower applications are open

Apply for the 2026 Empower Women's Pre-accelerator program is you are an early-stage, women-led startup looking to transform ideas into business plans and build strong foundations. Applications close 27 January 2026.

2025 ScaleUP Showcase & Pitch Night Review

Queensland’s founders, investors and industry connected across one action-packed day this October. The event focused on scaling up - celebrating our mission-driven founders and their bold ideas and connecting them to the incredible network of supporters at the ready to help them advance to their next phase.

Our Startup AdVenture students take flight

We say em đi vui nha and bon voyage to 40 UQ students who are heading off to explore the world of innovation and entrepreneurship through our Startup AdVenture programs in Hanoi, Shenzhen, and San Francisco during the 2025/26 summer semester break! If you're keen to take your own leap into the startup world, express your interest now for the 2026 Startup AdVenture programs.

Meet the Winners of Curiosity’s Shane Chidgzey Award

Meet the winners of the 2025 Curiosity Shane Chidgzey Award (Semester 2), a recognition that celebrates early-stage founders who imagine boldly and act bravely.

What's it really like to launch a startup at UQ?

At UQ, we’re continuously impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit and startup ideas that come out of our UQ Ventures community.

Tom Bizzell, a Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) student and 2022 UQ’s Chief Student Entrepreneur tells us about his startup Wakeshare and his experiences with UQ Ventures.

Own the unknown