Ventures

Programs

Find the program right for you

There’s support at every stage of your Ventures journey – from flexing your creative muscles to launching a startup or
social enterprise through our introductory, intermediate and advanced programs. You will find the people, tools and opportunities
to help you develop an entrepreneurial mindset, gain transferable skills and bring your ideas to life.

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  • People prototyping in a group with lego

    Curiosity

    Program Level: Introductory
    Are you curious about the world of entrepreneurship, but don't know where to start? Over the program, Ventures Curiosity will help you form and test your early-stage ideas or simply get a taste and explore how you can expand your entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Women sitting around a table brainstorming

    LeadHers

    Program Level: Introductory
    We can help you become more confident in your leadership capabilities through our Ventures LeadHers program. The program is a confidence-building program for all women who are students, staff, and alumni across all disciplines at UQ. During LeadHers, you will develop the skills to lead with confidence and explore the common challenges most professional women leaders face in their careers. 
  • dark blue image of connected green dots to look like electronics and systems

    Momentum Accelerator

    Propel your startup venture into rapid growth with UQ’s Momentum Accelerator. Throughout our dynamic 12-week program, each qualifying enterprise will receive hands-on guidance from industry experts to sharpen their business acumen, expand their networks, bolster scaling strategies, and prepare for substantial fundraising opportunities.
  • Startup AdVentures

    Startup AdVentures

    Connect with Industry
    Want to gain first-hand knowledge on founding, investing and growing an early-stage business? Startup AdVentures are learning experiences specialising in innovation and entrepreneurship both within Australian and global startup communities.
  • Students sitting at a table brainstorming on a laptop

    Validate

    Program Level: Intermediate
    Are you on the way to creating a startup? The Ventures Validate program will help you understand the market needs and devise a sustainable business model.
  • People prototyping in a group with lego

    Curiosity

    Program Level: Introductory
    Are you curious about the world of entrepreneurship, but don't know where to start? Over the program, Ventures Curiosity will help you form and test your early-stage ideas or simply get a taste and explore how you can expand your entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Women talking in a group

    Empower

    Program Level: Advanced
    Elevate your startup with Ventures Empower. This 10-week experience seeks women entrepreneurs in the early stages of founding their startup to be part of the 2024 program. Join a cohort of inspiring founders and get the support, knowledge, and confidence you need to reach your business goals.

  • Entrepreneurial Spirit Shines at Ventures' Curiosity Talk

    Ventures welcomed Protostars back to campus for the first 2025 Curiosity Talk, fostering connections for young founders.
  • food innovation challenge

    Food Innovation Challenge

    Connect with Industry
    Develop your team's food and beverage innovation project towards a viable business with the Food Innovation Challenge (FIC). Teams will compete for multiple prizes worth $10,000.

  • Hustle

    Program Level: Intermediate
    Ventures Hustle is a program designed for students to execute beyond what they believe is possible. Through daunting entrepreneurial tasks and goals, students will be challenged to expand their beliefs of what they think they can achieve.
  • ilab cohort on stage at pitch night

    ilab Accelerator

    Program Level: Advanced
    Take your venture to the next level with our three-month ilab Accelerator program. Eligible startups will receive a $15,000 investment. You'll also have access to a network of professionals and potential investors. Startups from all disciplines are encouraged to apply – from social impact and fintech to mining and health.

  • ocean innovation

    Industry Challenge

    Connect with Industry
    Do you want to put your entrepreneurial skills into practice? By participating in our Industry Challenge, you will work with industry to develop a real-world solution to a real-world problem. Teams will compete for multiple prizes worth $11,000. This year's challenge looks at how we can use entrepreneurial skills to tackle the complex issues affecting our oceans.
  • Women sitting around a table brainstorming

    LeadHers

    Program Level: Introductory
    We can help you become more confident in your leadership capabilities through our Ventures LeadHers program. The program is a confidence-building program for all women who are students, staff, and alumni across all disciplines at UQ. During LeadHers, you will develop the skills to lead with confidence and explore the common challenges most professional women leaders face in their careers. 
  • dark blue image of connected green dots to look like electronics and systems

    Momentum Accelerator

    Propel your startup venture into rapid growth with UQ’s Momentum Accelerator. Throughout our dynamic 12-week program, each qualifying enterprise will receive hands-on guidance from industry experts to sharpen their business acumen, expand their networks, bolster scaling strategies, and prepare for substantial fundraising opportunities.
  • Startup AdVentures

    Startup AdVentures

    Connect with Industry
    Want to gain first-hand knowledge on founding, investing and growing an early-stage business? Startup AdVentures are learning experiences specialising in innovation and entrepreneurship both within Australian and global startup communities.
  • Students working at a table

    Sustainability

    Program level: Introductory
    In collaboration with UQ Sustainability, gain the skills and knowledge to integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into your idea of business and explore the world of social enterprises.
  • Students sitting at a table brainstorming on a laptop

    Validate

    Program Level: Intermediate
    Are you on the way to creating a startup? The Ventures Validate program will help you understand the market needs and devise a sustainable business model.

Venture your way

You can mix and match programs depending on your experience. There’s support at every stage of your Ventures journey – from flexing your creative muscles to launching a startup.
Connect
Meet like-minded students, connect with the Ventures team, and hear from inspirational speakers with our community events.
Introductory
Gain the skills and knowledge needed to think and act like an entrepreneur.
Intermediate
Put your knowledge into practice by solving real industry problems.
Advanced
Take your venture to the next level by getting market and investment ready.