The University of Queensland’s 2026 Ventures ilab Accelerator Chapter 1 cohort has awarded 9 startups with $15,000 in funding each to skyrocket their growth.
As one of Australia’s longest-running accelerator programs, ilab has a strong track record of backing ambitious founders and high‑potential startups. Entry into the Accelerator program is highly competitive, with teams selected through a rigorous multi‑stage interview process involving experienced industry experts and entrepreneurs. The 9 successful teams are currently undertaking an intensive 12‑week accelerator, learning directly from past founders, industry leaders and investors through hands‑on workshops, panels and discussions. Each startup will receive $15k in funding from the UniQuest Extension Fund (UEF). The program culminates in the highly anticipated and typically sold‑out ilab Pitch Night event on 21 May 2026.
For the 'Chapter 1' cohort, we are thankful to have 2 highly experienced Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiRs); we welcome back Nourish'd founder Abbey Cameron, and Optio Capital Co-founder Michael Cotton.
After a few short weeks, the Entrepreneurs in Residence are already seeing the standout potential of this year’s cohort. Abbey Cameron says the program offers a front‑row seat to the talent and drive coming through ilab, noting that founders are tackling real‑world challenges with innovative solutions that have the potential to create lasting impact.
"Their energy is contagious and I'm thrilled to support them as they turn bold ideas into thriving ventures."
Michael Cotton agrees with Abbey, highlighting the ambition of the cohort and the depth of innovation emerging from the UQ ecosystem. Through ilab, the EiRs work closely with teams to challenge assumptions, sharpen business models, and support founders as they take the leap from promising ideas to investable startups.
ilab Manager Tyson Jennings is excited to support this cohort's founders as they refine their ideas, accelerate their growth, and build companies with impact. He says,
"Each ilab cohort highlights the strength of entrepreneurship emerging from the UQ community. The 2026 Chapter 1 cohort brings together nine startups working across robotics, AI, digital health and quantum technologies, areas that will shape the future of innovation."
Meet the Teams
For this cohort in 2026 we welcome 15 founders across 9 teams from a range of backgrounds, skillsets, and problems spaces.
BIDLOGIQ
Michael Pascale, Andrew Murray Bond and Matthew David Holman
BIDLOGIQ is a time-efficient AI-powered tendering platform that offers expert quality bid/no-bid analyses, draft generation, revisions, and reviews.
CellScope
Sophie Curio
CellScope is AI-powered software that automates immune cell analysis, enabling faster, more reproducible scientific discoveries while freeing researchers from manual workflows and reducing variability across studies and laboratories.
Krepko
Agajan Babayev and Rahil Mehta
Krepko is automating the dispensing, customer communication, and logistics operations of medicinal cannabis pharmacies.
Planor
Padma Benkat, Ashwin Harikrishna and Amaan Ferdous Hossain
Planor is a B2B Saas interior visualisation platform that enables home interior brands to generate fast, realistic 3D room renders from customer images, helping increase conversions, reduce returns, and accelerate digital sales.
Qubit Forge
Flynn Edwards
Qubit Forge offers gamified quantum computing skills platform building pathways between emerging talent, universities, and quantum industry partners.
Rava
Ethan Laskowski and Reuben Richardson
Rava is building a telepresence connecting people to reduce loneliness and isolation in aged care.
reMYnd
Naomi Ferstera
Midlife dementia prevention program reMYnd is translating scientific research into structured, scalable strategies long-term cognitive resilience and cardiometabolic health.
Urban Inventors
Dr Nadeesha Chandrasena
Urban Inventors is a patented stormwater inlet retrofit which intercepts litter to reduce blockages, with the option of IoT monitoring.
Whistl
Edward Boorer
Fintech platform Whistl is detecting and blocking harmful spending in real time, redirecting funds into an investment vehicle.
All startups which participate in the Ventures ilab Accelerator program will receive $15,000 in funding alongside access to UQ’s extensive entrepreneurial ecosystem and networks.
Save the date for ilab Pitch Night on Thursday 21 May 2026. Tickets will be on sale soon.
2026 ilab is powered by:
'
With support from:
For more information about ilab contact Tyson Jennings at t.jennings@uq.edu.au or ventures@uq.edu.au for information about the other Ventures programs on offer.
