Take your venture to the next level with our ilab Accelerator program.
During the three-month program (December to March), each startup team receives $10,000 equity-free funding to help get you ready for the market and become attractive to investors. You will work closely with our Entrepreneurs in Residence and have access to our extensive mentor and investor networks, as well as workshops, industry events and co-working space. Founders from all disciplines are encouraged to apply – from social impact and fintech to mining and health. Open to all UQ students, recent alumni, and staff.
Applications for Ventures ilab Accelerator are now closed.
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ilab Accelerator 2023 program will run from December 2022 to March 2023.
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 March to showcase founders to the ecosystem and investor network.
Get ready for ilab 2023
Date: Wednesday 14 September
Time: 2-3pm
Watch the full session on Zoom
Fireside Chat with ilab alumni and EiRs
Date: Wednesday 28 September
Time: 1.30-2.30pm
Venue: Ventures Space, Ground Floor, Global Change Institute (Building 20)
ilab Accelerator application tips with past cohort members
Date: Wednesday 5 October
Time: 10-11am
Watch the full session on Zoom
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
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.
2022 Winner: Eclipse (Siobhan Coster)
Listen to Founder of Eclipse, Siobhan Coster talk about her ilab Accelerator experience.
Brisbane Startup AdVenture
The Ventures Brisbane Startup AdVenture is crossing paths with ilab Accelerator. Selected students will walk alongside some of Brisbane's best local startups to learn first-hand the process of founding, investing, and growing an early-stage business.