Curiosity Program Semester 1 Hits Record Numbers
"Ventures really pushed me to think beyond the problem and start designing real, actionable solutions. I loved how collaborative and practical the program was — not just theory. We had the space to experiment and act, and the feedback we got throughout was so helpful."
- Prayudi Setia Affandie, Co-founder of Unimates & Curiosity student, Sem 1 2025
Whether you come with a big idea, a little spark, or just a gut feeling that you want to do something, Curiosity is your playground to start figuring it all out.
What We Got Up To
This semester we ran four core workshops: Team Building, Design Thinking, Business Models, and Storytelling & Pitching. Sounds intense? Maybe. But in practice? They were hands-on, energising, and genuinely friendly.
We also introduced a new pathway for those interested in intrapreneurship! What is that? Intrapreneuship is innovating from within companies that you work for. It’s amazing to see students realising you don’t always need to launch a startup to make an impact.
And beyond the core sessions, our students jumped to other UQ Ventures programs too including the SIC and UQ Union Hackathons. It’s all about trying things, learning fast, and meeting people who challenge the way you think.
Pitches & Popcorn
One of my absolute highlights this semester was Pitches & Popcorn. Our student-led event where ideas took the spotlight (and yes, there was popcorn). Our epic Ambassadors — Candida Amaral, Jussi Djachenko, and Mritul Rajesh, hosted an evening where eight teams took to the mic to share their ideas.
Some of those ideas were born during Curiosity, others were passion projects brought in from outside, but the energy in the room was pure encouragement and connection.
Big love to our industry guests like Nicholas Egan (co-founder of My Hive & 2025 iLab winner) who joined us to offer advice and support.
“Pitching in general is crucial. It's not just about explaining your idea, it’s about making people feel something, helping them get it quickly, and making them care. That’s tough, and Curiosity gave a solid base to start figuring that out.”
- Rowan Campbell, Founder of Coast & Country, Curiosity Student Sem 1, 2025.
From Curious to Committed
And here’s the part that gives me goosebumps: 15 students from Curiosity decided to continue their journey by joining our next-level program, Validate – Semester 1, 2025.
One of them, Malak Korshid, went on to become a winner of the UQSIC 2025 Hackathon. Another Curiosity student, Rowan Campbell, placed third in the same Hackathon and was also selected as one of the top 10 teams in the Validate Program, receiving a $1,000 prize to help take his startup, Coast & Country, to the next level.
And last but not least, Angel Jauhari and Kezia Tjandra, two more Curiosity alumni, joined the Pre-Accelerator Empower program and are continuing their entrepreneurial journeys. Stories worth celebrating.
That’s what it’s all about: seeing students show up week after week, building something they care about, and turning their early sparks into real-world solutions. The growth has been amazing.
A Big Shoutout to the Dream Team
To our incredible Semester 1 Ambassadors: Jussi, Mritul, Hein, Candida, and Hao. Thank you. Your energy, creativity, and kindness shaped this whole experience. Curiosity wouldn’t be the same without you.
What’s Next? (Hint: It Could Be You)
Semester 2 is here and it’s shaping up to be our biggest yet. If you’re even slightly curious about innovation, community, or building something from scratch (even if you don’t know what that “something” is yet), this is your moment.
"Through Curiosity, I gained the confidence to explore real-world problems and turn data into impact. If you're thinking about joining the program: go for it. You’ll not only refine your thinking but also connect with a passionate community that wants to see you succeed."
- Jasmine Man, founder of ClearSuper, Curiosity Online cohort 2025, Sem 1.
Register your interest for Curiosity Sem 2
Let’s get curious together!
