ilab Accelerator

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

During the three-month program, each startup team receives a $15,000 investment 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, alumni, and staff.

Applications are now closed.

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ilab Accelerator 2025 program runs for three months.

Key dates

Orientation date: 17 December
Week 1–12: Tuesdays 14 January to 1 April
Pitch Night: 10 April

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 a $15,000 investment.

Pitch Night event to be held at the end of the program to showcase founders to the ecosystem and investor network.

ilab Accelerator application tips with past cohort members
Date: Wednesday 16 October
Time: 2-3pm
Venue: Online on Zoom

Fireside Chat with ilab alumni and EiRs
Date: Thursday 7 November
Time: 5:30-7pm
Venue: The Atrium, Room 223, 308 Queen Street, Brisbane City

Get ready for ilab 2025
Date: Tuesday 12 November
Time: 1-2pm
Venue: Ventures Space, Ground Floor, Global Change Institute (Building 20), St Lucia Campus

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 one of the startup's founders must be part of the UQ community by either being a:

current UQ student
UQ alum
UQ staff member or researcher

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) Monday 18 November 2024, 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 29-30 November 2024 at Ventures Studio in Long Pocket, 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 6-7 December 2024 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 Monday 9 December 2024. Successful teams will be required to sign the ilab Accelerator Agreement prior to starting the program.

Each selected team will receive $15,000 in funding from program partner UniQuest via a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE agreement).

A Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) is a flexible agreement between an investor (UniQuest) and the startup where in exchange for upfront money, the investor gains a contractual right to convert that amount into shares in the future when a pre-agreed trigger event occurs.

This funding will be made up of a series of three (3) tranche payments throughout the program aligned to achievement of monthly milestones (December, January, March). Startups are required to make continual progress against regularly reviewed milestones to receive tranche payments. Should a startup be terminated from the program, their tranche payments will immediately cease.

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 terms and conditions.

Read the SAFE agreement

ilab Accelerator

Application Process

Information Sessions

2023 Winner: Herik Labs

Resources