Accelerate your business's growth with UQ’s Momentum Accelerator.
Applications are now open for our National Security and Dual-Use Technology cohort, delivered in partnership with leading Australian venture capital fund, Salus Ventures.
This tailored 12-week program is designed to help founders focus their business strategies, expand their networks, and refine go-to-market and scaling plans. Participants will benefit from the expertise of world-class Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs), including Vu Tran, Co-Founder of Go1 and more recently Black Sky Industries - a pioneering Australian company specialising in advanced propulsion technologies and high-performance aerospace systems.
The program goes beyond foundational skills, offering an in-depth exploration of National Security and Defence innovation. We equip founders with the knowledge and strategies necessary to navigate the complex landscape within these critical sectors, and the tools required for successful engagement.
Participating startups may be eligible to receive up to $400,000 in venture funding from Salus Ventures at its election, using its standard SAFE terms. Hosted by UQ, the program is open to all and not limited to UQ students or university affiliates (see Eligibility Section for details).
National Security & Critical Technologies
This cohort is tailored for founders building frontier technologies that have potential applications in national security or dual-use. Participants will be drawn from deep tech industries including:
- Manufacturing & Supply Chain
- Aerospace & Space
- Defence
- Autonomy
- AI & Data
- Cyber
- Quantum
- Enterprise
- Digital Health
- Digital Ag & Food
Applications for Momentum Accelerator's National Security and Dual-Use Technology cohort are now open through 4 April 2025.
The Momentum Accelerator for National Security and Dual-Use Technology will run for 12 weeks from late April to July 2025 at UQ's Brisbane City location.
Participant engagement:
- 1 day a week of structured program content, held on-site at UQ Brisbane City, located in Brisbane's CBD
- 1 session each week (in-person or virtual) focused on maintaining cadence and supporting founder health, resilience, and well-being
- founder updates and talks from industry leading experts, successful founders, and the Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs)
Throughout the program, your team will have access to:
- 24/7 co-working space and Makerspace
- regular seminars and talks featuring industry specialists, investors, successful founders, and key stakeholders with deep domain knowledge and experience obtained from operating in the national security and enterprise markets
- mentorship and strategic guidance from Salus Ventures, including insights into go-to-market strategy, venture capital, government customers, and dual-use commercialisation opportunities
- a dedicated entrepreneur who has successfully navigated the startup-to-exit journey, along with guidance from expert EiRs
- UQ’s network of founders, alumni, and mentors with domain expertise and connections in the defence industry
- partnership benefits from Google, Microsoft, AWS, HubSpot, MATLAB, Makerspace, and more
The program will culminate in a Pitch Event, in which selected founders will present their startup business to a panel of experts. Throughout the program, Salus Ventures will provide mentorship, industry expertise, and strategic guidance, with the potential for investment (please review terms and conditions under Eligibility). Momentum provides an unparalleled opportunity to refine your venture, expand your network, and gain critical insights for scaling a startup in the national security and dual-use markets.
Virtual information session to cover key program details, Q&A, and application tips
Date: 19 March 2025
Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Venue: Online
Momentum Accelerator Fireside Chat with EiR and Program Manager
Date: 26 March 2025
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Venue: TBD, in-person
Applications for the Momentum Accelerator will be open to any Queensland founder or Queensland-based business operating in the national security and dual-use space. We welcome startups developing technologies with both commercial and government applications, including those addressing critical infrastructure, resilience, and emerging security challenges.
Startups in the following deep tech industry verticals will be eligible for consideration:
- Manufacturing and Supply Chain – strengthening sovereign capability and supply chain security
- Aerospace and Space – advancing critical technologies for communication, surveillance, and defence
- Defence – enhancing operational effectiveness, intelligence, and national resilience
- Autonomy – unmanned systems, robotics, and AI-driven decision-making tools
- AI and Data – cyber security, predictive analytics, and intelligence processing
- Cyber – cyber security protecting critical infrastructure, networks, and digital assets
- Quantum – next-generation computing and encryption technologies
- Enterprise – providing secure and scalable enterprise solutions for government and industry
- Digital Health – innovations improving medical readiness, biosecurity, and disaster response
- Digital Ag and Food – enhancing food security, supply chain integrity, and sustainable production
Please note that we are not accepting businesses developing kinetic or lethal weapons.
We are looking for passionate and committed founders, co-founders, CEOs and owners, with businesses that have experienced initial traction.
You do not have to be a UQ student or affiliated with any other university to apply.
Applicants must:
- have a registered ABN/ACN
- have an office in or be based in Queensland
- have a venture that operates in the national security and/or dual-use technology space within the eligible sectors identified
- have demonstrated market traction / validation; examples include active users or revenue
- have a business with significant growth potential
- have a business with a defendable competitive advantage
- be considering raising capital to facilitate growth
- have clean IP ownership
Agreement and Terms and Conditions (PDF, 228.2 KB)
You will be required to sign the Momentum Accelerator Agreement to participate in this program. Participating in the program is a significant commitment, requiring 1 day a week for a structured program and regular 1-on-1 sessions, both in-person. There are key deliverables and activities each week that are expected to take a reasonable amount of time to complete and commitment is required for events, the pitch night, and presentations.
Founders are expected to participate in at least 90 per cent of the provided workshops and accountability sessions. Lower participation may result in founders being removed from the program.
Application process
Placement in the Momentum Accelerator program is competitive. Applicants must complete a four-stage application process to be accepted into the program (one application per team).
UQ Ventures' Momentum Accelerator, in partnership with Salus Ventures, provides founders with mentorship, industry expertise, and investment opportunities.
Selected startups will have the opportunity to receive up to $400,000 in venture funding, at Salus Ventures' election, based on a post-money valuation of $2.5 million, using its standard SAFE terms (or at the company’s most recent bona fide valuation). Please refer to the full terms and conditions under Eligibility.
Participants in the program will also be exposed to other investors including venture funds, angel investors, potential end customers etc and will be provided with tools to identify relevant sources of non-dilutive funding.
While participation in the accelerator will offer start-ups with the opportunity to access funding, investment remains merit-based, competitive, and at the sole discretion of Salus Ventures. Momentum Accelerator will provide the guidance, experience and support needed to help founders craft their most compelling pitch as they seek investment.
Please seek your own independent advice before entering into this agreement. UQ is not responsible for you and/or your companies’ independent financial situation.
Find out more about funding in the agreement terms and conditions. (PDF, 228.2 KB)
Yazz Krishna, Momentum Program Manager
The Momentum Accelerator is led by Yazz Krishna, a seasoned entrepreneur known for founding Five Faces, a Brisbane-based Enterprise SaaS and managed service provider. Under Yazz's leadership, Five Faces expanded internationally in the retail and healthcare sectors before his exit in 2021. Currently, as the Director of Yazz Investments, Yazz dedicates his expertise to supporting early to mid-stage entrepreneurs.
His areas of specialisation include sales structure and team development, distribution channels, enterprise solution deployment, high-performance team management, commercial negotiations, resolving shareholder disputes, MVP development, and crafting go-to-market strategies.
Yazz is passionate about guiding startups and scaleups through the capital raising process, and ensuring they are well-informed, prepared, and aware of their financing options.
Vu Tran, Headline Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR)
Vu, the Momentum Accelerator's EiR, is an accomplished entrepreneur with a diverse background spanning technology, education, defence, and healthcare. He is the co-founder of Black Sky Industries, a cutting-edge aerospace company focused on advancing propulsion technologies. He was previously the co-founder of Go1, one of the world’s leading online learning platforms. Under his leadership, Go1 raised approximately $400 million in funding, reached a valuation of $3 billion, and became a leader in workplace learning.
Vu has dedicated the last few years to mentoring and investing in defence-focused startups, leveraging his expertise to support founders navigating complex industries. With a deep commitment to problem-solving and impact-driven entrepreneurship, Vu brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to the Momentum Accelerator.
In partnership with
Salus Ventures is a leading Australian venture fund that invests predominantly at the pre-seed and seed stage, partnering with mission-driven innovators tackling critical problems at the intersection of enterprise and national security, as well commercial technologies with high-potential for ‘dual-use’ applications.
As the Investment Partner for this cohort, Salus will provide participants with deep tech specific industry insights, privileged access to Salus’ extensive industry network and global reach and expert guidance on venture establishment and growth strategies. Salus Ventures may invest up to $400,000 in one or a number of selected participants at its election, based on a post-money valuation of $2.5 million, using its standard SAFE terms (or at the company’s most recent bona fide valuation). Please see terms and conditions under Eligibility.