News

Held on the eve of World Entrepreneurs’ Day, The University of Queensland (UQ) Entrepreneurship and Innovation Awards for 2025 celebrated outstanding entrepreneurs across the University’s ecosystem.

UQ Ventures is proud to introduce the inaugural recipients of its new scholarship program - four bold students who are turning ideas into impact. These scholarships celebrate creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit, and mark a new chapter in how UQ supports changemakers from all backgrounds. Meet the students who are shaping the future.

As we prepare to celebrate the winners of the 2025 UQ Entrepreneurship & Innovation (E&I) Awards on 20 August, we’re also on the lookout for the next big breakthrough.

The University of Queensland (UQ) is proud to announce the 2025 UQ Venture Scholarships—our continued commitment to backing the bold, the innovative, and the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.

The University of Queensland (UQ) Ventures ilab Accelerator Pitch Night First Prize Winner, MyHive, is keeping loved ones connected with their up-and-coming community-powered support and communication app. Special congratulations to EiR Choice Award winner, Polinate, and People's Choice Award winner, Aroma Armour.

Ventures are incredibly excited to welcome Yarra Kiseleva, founder of Seatfinder, as The University of Queensland (UQ) 2025 Chief Student Entrepreneur! Yarra’s journey with Ventures is a story of discovery, growth, and transformation—one that highlights the power of stepping outside the expected and exploring new career possibilities.

We are incredibly excited to introduce the new cohort of UQ Ventures Ambassadors—a group of passionate, students ready to represent and promote Ventures across the University. These ambassadors will play a crucial role in delivering exceptional experiences across all Ventures programs, helping us inspire and support the next generation of innovators.

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. 

The University of Queensland’s 2025 Ventures ilab Accelerator: Chapter 1 cohort has awarded 11 startups with $15,000 funding to help launch their early-stage ventures.

On 15 November, over 100 attendees from Brisbane’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the UQ community gathered to celebrate Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (officially marked on 19 November) and the remarkable talent within our network.

The 2024 Philips X Ventures Hack for Health saw University of Queensland (UQ) student teams racing against the clock to tackle some of healthcare’s biggest sustainability challenges. Over an intensive 48-hour period from 11 to 14 October, students collaborated with experts from global health technology leader Philips and UQ Ventures to create real-world solutions aimed at improving healthcare sustainability.

The LeadHers Awards showcases and celebrates outstanding leadership capabilities demonstrated by women in entrepreneurship. Find out who is shortlisted for each category.

UQ Ventures Industry Challenge has been shortlisted as a Finalist in the Engagement Australia 2024 Excellence Awards in the category of Award for Excellence in Industry Engagement.

The high calibre talent UQ Ventures attracts to inspire student entrepreneurs is extended with the appointment of Optio Capital Chief Product Officer Michael Cotton as the new ilab Accelerator Entrepreneur in Residence. 

The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Ventures ilab Accelerator Pitch Night at The Tivoli transformed the stage into a battlefield of ideas, where 12 startups from UQ Ventures’ ilab Accelerator's second cohort of 2024 vied for the spotlight. Each team had the opportunity to showcase their business to a live audience and a judging panel of industry experts.

What if you could capture the nostalgia of disposable cameras in a digital world? One UQ student did just that.

For Diah Fitria Widhiningsih, better known as Fitri, advancing her education goes hand in hand with improving literacy among young people in her hometown of Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY).

University life typically involves lectures, textbooks, and exams. However, this semester at The University of Queensland, students have a unique opportunity to diverge from traditional academic paths. UQ Ventures introduces Ventures Hustle, a dynamic 60-day entrepreneurship challenge spearheaded by Luke Anear, where students will have the chance to build and launch real businesses.

Ventures are excited to announce their second Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) joining the Momentum Accelerator team, Annika Launay.

The University of Queensland’s 2024 Ventures ilab Accelerator: Chapter 2 program has awarded 12 startups with $15,000 funding to help launch their early-stage ventures.