ilab Accelerator

Take your venture to the next level with our ilab Accelerator program.

During the three-month Ventures ilab Accelerator program, each selected startup team receives $10,000 equity-free funding to help get you market and investment-ready. You will work closely with our Entrepreneur in Residence and have access to Ventures’ mentor and investor network, workshops and co-working space. Startups from all disciplines are encouraged to apply – from social impact and fintech to mining and health.

Applications are now closed for the 2022 Ventures ilab Accelerator

Video: Watch the 2020 Ventures ilab Accelerator behind the scenes video

ilab Accelerator 2022 program will run from December 2021 to March 2022.

Weekly contact days include:

Founder updates to the cohort
Talks from industry experts, founders and Entrepreneurs in Residence e.g. IP, agreements, marketing, team building, partnerships, founders’ stories.
Structured program and mentoring with Entrepreneurs in Residence and industry mentors
Founder health and wellbeing

Throughout the program your team will have access to:

24/7 co-working space and makerspace
regular seminars supporting early-stage startups
mentors, our Entrepreneur in Residence and a network of professionals and potential investors
partnership benefits from Google, Microsoft, AWS, Hubspot, Matlab, Makerspace and more.

Each startup accepted into the program will receive $10,000 in equity-free funding.

Pitch Night event to be held in mid April to showcase founders to the ecosystem and investor network.

Get ready for ilab 2022
Date: Tuesday 14 September
Time: 12-1pm

Fireside Chat with ilab alumni
Date: Friday 17 September
Time: 10-11am

Q&A with ilab EiRs: Sam Jockel and Yotam Rosenbaum
Date: Wednesday 22 September
Time: 4-5pm

Tips and tricks for your ilab application
Date: Thursday 7 October
Time: 1-2pm

Office hours with Ventures team and alumni
Date: Wednesday 13 October
Time: 4-5pm

We are looking for passionate and committed founders who have validated their value proposition, an initial sustainable business model and a solution.

When you apply you will need to provide evidence of customer interviews, market research and business modelling. Having a minimum viable product is ideal, but is not required to join the program.

At least half of your team members must be part of the UQ community by either being a:

current UQ student
recent alumni of UQ (10 years or less)
UQ staff member or researcher

Program overview and Terms and Conditions

View agreement

You will be required to sign the ilab Accelerator Agreement to participate in the program. Please review the agreement document. Participating in the Accelerator program is a full-time commitment.

Founders are expected to participate in at least 90 percent of the provided workshops and accountability sessions. Lower participation may result in the team losing their funding and being removed from the program.

Application Process

Places in the Accelerator program are highly competitive. Founders must complete a four-stage application process to be accepted into the program.

Stage 1. Online application and video
You will be required to fill out an application, due 12pm (AEST) Tuesday 19 October 2021, outlining evidence of customer interviews, market research and business modelling. Your team will also be required to submit a short video introducing the team.

Stage 2. ilab Selections: First round interviews
Shortlisted candidates from Stage 1 will be invited to participate in a selection process of first round interviews. Founders will pitch their business to our selection committee of experienced entrepreneurs and mentors. Followed by a series of interview questions. Interviews to take place 27-28 October 2021 on St Lucia campus, please note you only need to be available for your allocated interview time slot.

Stage 3. ilab Selections: Second round interviews
The candidates from the first round of interviews will be narrowed down further and the successful candidates will be invited to the second round of interviews during the following week. These interviews are designed to probe further into your company and provide advice and feedback on how the founders might fit in the Ventures ilab Accelerator program. Interviews to take place 4-5 November 2021 on St Lucia campus, please note you only need to be available for your allocated interview time slot.

Stage 4. Successful startups notified
The selection committee will decide on the final cohort based on Stage 3. Startups will be notified on Wednesday 10 November 2021. Successful teams will be required to sign the ilab Accelerator Agreement prior to starting the program.