Celebrating our 2025 UQ Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award Winners
Published on: 21 August 2025
Nominations for the UQ E&I Awards are now open and close 14 September 2026.
The UQ Entrepreneurship and Innovation Awards showcase and celebrate the breadth and impact of entrepreneurship across The University of Queensland community.
Presented by Ventures and proudly supported by UniQuest, Australia's Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), UQ's Indigenous Business Hub, and Safety Culture, the E&I Awards recognise outstanding entrepreneurial achievements by students, researchers, alumni, and industry partners who are creating solutions to local and global challenges.
From student-led ventures to research-based startups driving positive change, the Awards showcase the diversity and strength of entrepreneurship at UQ and beyond.
Awards and recognition
Each category winner will be awarded $5,000 in prize money, along with university‑wide recognition through Ventures channels and showcase events.
Submit your nomination for one or more of the award categories listed below and help us celebrate entrepreneurial excellence at UQ.
Nominations for E&I Awards categories close 14 September 2026.
The Awards are proudly sponsored by:
|
|
|
UQ Indigenous Business Hub |
Award categories and announcement timelines
In 2026, the awards will be announced across 2 major showcase events. Keep up-to-date with the following timelines and make sure to submit your nominations before the specified deadlines.
FaBA Food & Beverage Startup of the Year
- Nominations are now complete for the 2026 award
Congratulations to our 2026, Refilled. Refilled is reimagining how beverages are delivered and consumed through smart dispensing technology that combines sustainability, digital innovation and exceptional customer experience.
Director of FaBA, Dr Chris Downs noted at the FaBA Entrepreneur Showcase that, "They have demonstrated exceptional customer adoption, strong recurring revenue growth, international expansion and a compelling sustainability proposition. Most importantly, they have created a solution where commercial success and environmental impact work hand in hand."
| Time | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 2026 | Nominations open | To make your nomination, please fill out the linked form. |
| 7 June 2026 | Nominations close | Submit your nomination before nominations close to ensure your nomination is reviewed. |
| 19 June 2026 | Shortlisting | All nominations will be shortlisted for judging. |
| 8 July 2026 | Judging | Judging to be finalised for the award ceremony. |
| 5 August 2026 | Award ceremony (invite only) | The awards will be presented by a senior executive leader from UQ. Finalists and guests will be invited to come together for the announcement of this award during the FaBA Food and Beverage Entrepreneurs Showcase. |
All other UQ Entrepreneurship and Innovation Awards
- Nominations open: 12 noon Thursday 6 August 2026
- Nominations close: 11:59pm Monday 14 September 2026
Winners for the UQ Student Entrepreneur of the Year, UQ Entrepreneur of the Year, and the UQ Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced on 10 November 2026 at our Ventures Pitch Night event allowing us to celebrate entrepreneurial excellence across the broader UQ ecosystem.
| Time | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6 August 2026 | Nominations open | To make your nomination, please fill out the linked form. |
| 14 September 2026 | Nominations close | Submit your nomination before nominations close to ensure your nomination is reviewed. |
| 28 September 2026 | Shortlisting | All nominations will be shortlisted for judging. |
| 16 October 2026 | Judging | Judging to be finalised for the award ceremony. |
| 10 November 2026 | Award ceremony | The awards will be presented by UQ Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Deborah Terry AC. FInalists and guests will be invited to come together for the announcement of all award winners. |
Award categories
FaBA Food and Beverage Startup of the Year
This award recognises exceptional startups within the food and beverage sector within Australia. The award winner, Refilled, was announced at the FaBA Food and Beverage Entrepreneurs Showcase on 5 August 2026.
Latest news
Have a question?
For more information about the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Awards, please contact UQ Ventures.