Curiosity is where it all begins. At the end of April, Ventures wrapped up 2 more Curiosity cohorts, breaking records along the way.
This is a program where students arrive with no idea and, within 7 weeks, leave with a startup project and, most importantly, an entrepreneurial mindset.
Semester One 2026 saw a record 31 three-minute pitches delivered across both Curiosity cohorts, marking the highest number ever presented in the program, in front of industry judges including:
- Matt Anderson (Founder, Think Startup)
- Tom Dance (Chief Technology Officer, SafetyCulture)
- Siobhan Coster (Founder and CEO, Eclipse Ingredients)
- Allen Smith (Founder, DMCG Global); and
- Gemma Colbran (Founder, GroundZero).
Throughout the program, students explored topics such as design thinking, storytelling, business models and pitching, while also connecting with mentors from a wide range of industries and backgrounds including founders, operators, investors, researchers and professionals working across innovation and entrepreneurship.
What makes Curiosity special is that it meets people exactly where they are. No pressure, no pretence. Just a genuine space to explore, ask better questions and discover what you actually care about building. That’s rare, and it’s what makes the program work. - Gokul Nath, Ventures Ambassador
A huge thank you to mentors and contributors including Theia Gabatan from Blackbird Foundation, Helena U (Founder of Inoya), Lawrence Kuzs (Founder of Chatstat), and experts from the food and beverage sector such as Dr Lisa Ronquest-Ross (Chief Science Officer at V2Food) and Chris Heydon (Director of Business Development at Lilly’s Little Lunchbox), thanks to the partnership between Curiosity and FaBA.
Every semester, as part of the Curiosity Pitch Event, judges select standout teams across categories including Best Business Idea, Best Pitch Delivery, and Most Creative Idea.
This semester, the following teams stood out:
Best Business Idea
Unical
Founded by Zac Allen and Aryan Narayanan
Unical is building the operating system for university clubs, aiming to replace fragmented tools like Rubric, Humatix, Stripe, Linktree and Instagram management with one integrated platform that reduces manual admin and lowers costs.
The platform connects students and clubs through a two-sided system where students can discover clubs, manage memberships and track events in one place, while clubs can manage events, payments, members and socials through a single dashboard.
Nook
Founded by Alex John, Harper Mikkelsen, Sienna Richardson and Jonathan Hii
Nook is an AI-powered suburb intelligence platform helping renters, buyers and investors navigate the overwhelming process of property searching. By analysing user goals, lifestyle preferences and budgets, Nook recommends the best Brisbane suburbs for each individual, simplifying one of the most stressful parts of moving and investing.
Best Pitch Delivery
Extra Bite
Founded by Kobe Jackson, Daniel Yip and Advait Naik
Extra Bite is a mobile app connecting university students with discounted excess food across campus. When food outlets have leftover meals at the end of the day, students can purchase and collect them through the app at reduced prices from designated pickup points across campus, helping reduce food waste while supporting students financially.
Amooze
Founded by Annie Chen and Aleksandra Klaveniece
Amooze is rethinking the protein snack space through cottage cheese-based protein bars designed for health-conscious consumers looking for something both nutritious and genuinely enjoyable to eat.
Most Creative Idea
Lingreal
Founded by Vincent Nguyen
Most English learners know the rules of English but struggle to speak confidently in real-life situations. Lingreal is an AI-powered platform where users learn English through immersive 3D environments based on real-world social and cultural interactions. Instead of relying on quizzes or repetitive exercises, learners practise conversations in realistic settings that build confidence and communication skills in context.
Luna Sip
Founded by Lisa and Varnika Hathi
Luna Sip is a cycle-specific wellness startup addressing the impact menstrual health has on productivity and wellbeing. Their first product, Luna, is a functional low-GI beverage designed to provide comfort and relief without the discomfort often associated with cold drinks during menstrual cycles. Combining thermogenic spices, magnesium-infused popping boba and science-backed ingredients, the team is building a new approach to cycle care focused on everyday wellbeing and performance.
Watching students go from “I don’t have an idea” to confidently pitching in front of a room never gets old.
Keen to join Curiosity in Semester 2?
Submit your Expression of Interest now and be first to hear when applications open for the next program, starting in August and running Wednesdays from 3–5 pm.
Curiosity Semester 2 EOI now open
Lastly, but incredibly importantly, a huge acknowledgement to our Ventures Ambassadors who helped shape and support the program alongside the Ventures team. Thanks to Chloe Wu, Gokul Nath, Mirtul Rajesh and Doris Wong for co-hosting sessions, mentoring students, and helping create the welcoming and supportive environment Curiosity is known for.
Ventures Ambassadors are students who work alongside the Ventures team to support programs, events and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem at UQ. Every year, we open opportunities for students who consistently show leadership, initiative and deep engagement within the community.
Chloe shared:
“After previously experiencing the Ventures Curiosity Program as a participant, returning this year as an Ambassador was a truly full-circle moment. Supporting participants, helping facilitate conversations, and watching ideas develop from behind the scenes gave me a completely new perspective on the program.
It challenged me to step up as a leader, adapt quickly in fast-paced environments, and create space for others to grow and contribute. Most of all, it reminded me how powerful curiosity, collaboration, and community can be in shaping meaningful experiences.”
