UQ Ventures nominated ilab Accelerator success story Blunge to attend the Hong Kong Techathon 2025, Hong Kong’s premier innovation pitching event, where they were one of only 2 Australian teams invited to present.
For the Blunge team of 4 – Samuel Davis, Mina Na, Tobias Chien, and Petro Salema – the event yielded important learnings about the international market for their ethical AI product, the funding programs available in Hong Kong for startups and a new opportunity to participate in the year-long HKSTP ideation program.
Co-founder Samuel Davis is UQ alumni (Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Science, 2019). The Hong Kong Techathon is the largest event Blunge has presented to so far, and follows the team’s success as winner of the top prize in the Ventures ilab Accelerator program in October 2024.
‘HK Techathon only accepts the top startups from Asia,’ Sam said.
‘We learnt a lot about the startup ecosystem in Asia. Essentially it is a transition from Australia (which has a microscopic startup market) to China, which is the new world leader in AI and the world stage.’

Blunge has developed the first automated system for training AI models. Their platform trains AI models which replicate the style of individual visual artists to a greater degree than other platforms an innovation for artists that saves time.
‘Artists want to adopt AI but they’re boycotting unethical platforms. Blunge allows for ethical content generation. When visual artists and designers upload artwork, we train a custom model using IP we’ve developed, generating endless visuals and inspiration in their style. Blunge’s unique output is an extension of the artist, unlike other image generation platforms in generic styles,’ Sam said.
The Blunge platform has a unique, artist-friendly approach and only the artist can access their model.
‘This is a big deal for our users,’ Sam said.
Blunge’s features offer artists capability that has not previously existed in the market, with innovations to come including animation and the ability for artists to continually develop their styles.
‘This gives our users a new superpower. We have innovated the approach to prompting, which makes Blunge simple to use, and does not require prompting skill like in many other programs.’
Blunge’s eventual goal is to create a marketplace where artists can choose to make their private models publicly available.
‘In the same way that Airbnb commercialised the spare room in people's houses, we are helping part-time creatives to create a scalable source of income,’ Sam said.
The Ventures programs have been crucial to Blunge, with UQ fostering Sam’s initial interest in entrepreneurship and software through a Startup AdVentures trip to Shanghai (2019). The support of UQ Entrepreneurship Head, Mr Nimrod Klayman continues to be central, with his support behind their participation at the Hong Kong Techathon 2025.
‘Nimrod has guided, connected and supported me and the Blunge team. I can't stress enough how great he's been and how he continues to go above and beyond,’ Sam said.
‘The ilab Accelerator program connected us with the startup ecosystem and, in particular, to capital. During the program we also had the opportunity to test our product with other startups, and with larger companies who came in for guest appearances. This was helpful in accelerating our learning of the market and product best fits.’
UQ Entrepreneurship Head, Mr Nimrod Klayman is thrilled that Blunge have successfully profiled their product on an international level in Hong Kong.
‘Their innovation is a great example of the quality of ideas we nurture through the Ventures Accelerator program,’ he said.
‘I’m excited to see their ongoing scaling and impacts.’
The 2025 Ventures ilab Accelerator cohort have commenced their journey with pitch night on 10 April.
Learn more about UQ Ventures’ programs