The University of Queensland’s 2020 ilab Accelerator program has awarded $20,000 each to aspiring startups to help them launch.
ilab Accelerator is a flagship program of UQ Ventures and runs for six months each year. One of Australia’s most experienced accelerators, the 2020 cohort marks the program’s 14th iteration.
Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship Director Dr Jessica Gallagher said the 2020 cohort’s business ideas ranged from organic laundry detergent to recycled rockets.
“It is inspiring to see this latest group of founders leveraging UQ’s wider entrepreneurial ecosystem to solve global problems,” Dr Gallagher said.
“We are touching on the future, whether it is health and wellbeing or conquering space.
“These amazing young entrepreneurs are focused on building our tomorrow.”
Dr Gallagher congratulated all the entrepreneurs behind the startups selected for the 2020 ilab Accelerator program.
- Open Inductions – using electric motors to reduce fuel consumption in commercial aviation and finding a way for airlines to perform engine swaps on their fleets without buying new aircraft.
- Fuelz Foods – delivering affordable, balanced meal packages catering to domestic and international students on a weekly subscription basis around south-west Brisbane.
- Koi Pay – removing the friction for Chinese tourists and students when spending in Australia and overseas through the integration of familiar payment mechanisms such as Alipay and WeChat.
- Kurin Organics – producing 100 per cent plant-based, biodegradable, hypoallergenic, washing liquid. Every ingredient is carefully selected to create a product superior to other “natural” detergents.
- PhysiSqueeze – customise assessment and training programs to help strengthen women’s pelvic floor muscles.
- Valiant Space – enabling innovative ideas to get to space faster by delivering a cost-effective spacecraft propulsion and flight-testing platform.