Australia’s largest student-run entrepreneurship society is back with its flagship event.
This October, Ventures is back working with UQ Innovation & Entrepreneurship Society (UQIES) again to host Weekend of Startups (WOS) 2025 - a two-day hackathon designed to challenge students to imagine The Next Normal.
Powered by a $10,000 grand prize proudly provided by Entain, the competition will take place at UQ’s Advanced Engineering Building from 11–12 October 2025.
The Theme: The Next Normal
Everyday life is already shaped by technologies that once seemed futuristic - like AI, now embedded in almost every pocket through large language models.
This year’s WOS theme, The Next Normal, asks participants to think ahead, "What feels futuristic today, but might be normal tomorrow?"
rom emerging technologies to new ways of living, teams will have the freedom to dream boldly and explore the ideas that could define our future.
“Weekend of Startups is a powerful example of what happens when industry and education come together. Through our partnership with UQIES and UQ Ventures, Entain is proud to help students explore The Next Normal, where today’s bold ideas become tomorrow’s everyday reality. This is more than a competition; it’s a launchpad for future founders and changemakers.” - Dave Levitt, Head of Leadership Development, Learning and Performance Entain
What to Expect
Over the course of the weekend, students will:
- Form teams and turn ideas into prototypes.
- Learn from industry mentors and peers; and
- Pitch their solutions to a panel of expert judges.
You don’t need to be a coder to compete. Great teams are built on a mix of skills, so whether you’re a designer, storyteller, problem-solver, or simply passionate about shaping the future, there’s a place for you.
Incredible Mentors
Participants will be supported by mentors from across Entain, bringing with them years of experience in strategy, product, technology, and client engagement.
This year’s mentors include: Head of Strategy Performance, Head of Integrated Products, Head of Product, General Manager Client Engagement and Director of Technology.
Why Join?
- Compete for a $10,000 grand prize.
- Collaborate with strudents from diverse disciplines.
- Gain insights from experienced mentors and industry leaders.
- Be part of Australia's biggest student-run hackathon.
Event Details
- 11–12 October 2025
- Advanced Engineering Building, UQ St Lucia
- $10,000 grand prize (thanks to Entain)
