The UQ Ventures Industry Challenge is a university-wide competition that brings together students from across every Faculty and discipline to tackle real-world problems through bold, innovative thinking.
Work in a team, build new skills, and create solutions that have real impact.
2026 Challenge
In 2026, the Industry Challenge is partnering with UQ SEXtember.
Across September, student teams will explore challenges related to sexual health and wellbeing, from relationships and dating to reproductive health and sex education. You’ll be encouraged to take a thoughtful, creative approach to topics that affect student life and the broader community.
Support and experience
Throughout the Challenge, you will be supported by the UQ Ventures team and guided by industry mentors from relevant organisations.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in problem solving, collaboration, and innovation while building something meaningful.
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 - Judging Criteria and Terms and Conditions below
Join the Challenge
Who can join?
This challenge is open to teams of current 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.
Team formation
Register to join the Challenge and attend the first panel session on the 26 August to learn more about the Challenge topic from our Industry Partners.
Immediately following the panel we will run an activity to help you meet and connect with other students to form your teams.
Program overview
Kick-off Session: Wednesday 26 August, 10-11.30am
Design Thinking Workshop: Tuesday 12 August, 9-11am
Check-in Session 1 with industry mentors: Wednesday 2 September, 9-10.30am
Check-in Session 2 with industry mentors: Wednesday 9 September, 9-10.30am
Check-in Session 3 with industry mentors: Wednesday 16 September, 9-10.30am
Pitching Workshop: Thursday 17 September, 3.30-4.30pm
Pitching Practise: Wednesday 23 September, 9-10.30am
Industry Challenge Pitch Showcase: Thursday 24 September, 8.30-10.30am
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 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.