The University of Queensland’s 2021 Ventures ilab Accelerator program has awarded 12 startups with $10,000 equity-free funding to help launch their early-stage ventures.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship) Dr Jessica Gallagher said this marks the 15th iteration of the ilab Accelerator program.
“As one of Australia’s longest-running accelerator programs, we are committed to building a solid pipeline of early-stage startups with great potential and nurture them into strong and sustainable businesses,” Dr Gallagher said.
“We have been part of the journey for many successful startups that have transformed industries and we hope to connect the latest cohort with the funding, mentors and resources to solve global challenges, and accelerate their success.”
The 2021 Ventures ilab Accelerator cohort startups range from the health and mining sectors to the education, finance and employment industries.
- Acude Foundation - Fun, online learning experiences for children and parents, to immerse and sustain cultural connections, and build socially-aware world citizens.
- Arteh - A platform to help companies report on their climate change impact to align with the international Paris Agreement.
- Bigbluemarble India - A suite of sustainable toiletry products for the environmentally-conscious consumer, and the hospitality and tourism industries.
- Bloom Impact Investing - A platform to invest in companies that support climate action.
- Deep Connection - Innovating fine-motor control to improve robotic prosthetics for people with upper-limb loss.
- Endla - Creating auto-design and optimisation tools to solve engineering problems in the energy and resources sector.
- Mine-R - Automating the analysis of satellite imagery to provide longitudinal mining rehabilitation outcomes.
- SparkTank - A collaborative dynamic brainstorming tool with a focus on community development.
- Stripped Supply - A monthly subscription box for Type One Diabetics automating the resupply of basic products.
- Tinn-E - The iconic Australian Tinnie reimagined as a silent, sustainable, accessible and versatile electric family boat.
- Wine Valet - Virtual restaurant wine experiences using predictive AI recommendations for private gatherings.
- Yuva AI - Streamlining the process tagged imagery to support the development of AI for medical imagery devices.
Ventures ilab Accelerator program provides equity-free funding, access to UQ's global mentoring network, workshops, guidance from UQ’s Entrepreneur in Residence, partner deals, desk space and investor introductions, and concludes with a major investor pitch event.