Are you ready to shape the future?
Join UQ’s Ventures Industry Challenge, an exciting, 8-week, industry-supported experience where students tackle real-world problems with bold, innovative thinking.
2026 Challenge: Re-Imagine the Future of Aging
Australia’s population is aging rapidly. With this shift comes complex challenges — and incredible opportunities. This challenge invites you to explore creative solutions that help older Australians live healthier, more connected, and fulfilling lives.
Why participate?
- Collaborate across disciplines: All disciplines for UQ are encouraged to participate. Whether you’re studying engineering, science, business, law, health, social sciences, or the arts, your unique perspective is invaluable and trans-disciplinary teams are encouraged
- Develop skills in innovation design and complex problem solving
- Real-world impact: Work alongside industry partners to develop innovative solutions to improve the health, wellbeing, and quality of life for aging Australians
- Win big: Compete for a share of $10,000 in prizes.
Who can join?
This challenge is open to all UQ students.
No matter your discipline or year level, if you're passionate about innovation and want to help solve one of Australia’s most pressing challenges, this is your opportunity.
Program overview
Kick-off Session: Tuesday 5 August, 9-11am
Design Thinking Workshop: Tuesday 12 August, 9-11am
Check-in Session 1 with industry mentors: Tuesday 19 August, 9-11am
Check-in Session 2 with industry mentors: Tuesday 26 August, 9-11amPrototyping and MVP workshop: Tuesday 2 September, 9am-11am
Check-in Session 3 with industry mentors: Tuesday 9 September, 9-11am
Pitching Workshop: Tuesday 16 September, 9-11am
Check-in Session 4 with industry mentors: Tuesday 23 September, 9-11am
Pitch Semi-Finals: Tuesday 7 October, 9am-12pm
Industry Challenge Pitch Showcase: Tuesday 14 October, 5-8pm
Judging criteria
- Value proposition (25%) – how well does the proposed solution meet a need and deliver benefits? Outline the value proposition, i.e: who will be the beneficiaries, what benefits will be generated by the solution, and how will the benefits be validated?
- Solution Viability (25%) – demonstrate how the proposed solution is feasible in terms of resources required for successful development and implementation. Identify and address any financial, technology, legal, market or other issues and how they could be overcome to enable this innovation to be further developed and implemented.
- Level of innovation (25%) – present a design concept, minimal viable product or prototype and outline why this a new or significantly different approach to what is already available.
- Presentation (25%) – to what extent does the pitch tell a succinct, yet detailed and compelling proposal to take action and support the proposed solution?
Have a question?
For more information about the Ventures Industry Challenge, please contact Ventures.