Take your venture to the next level with our ilab Accelerator program, now in partnership with Momentum.
The iLab Accelerator is UQ’s flagship program designed to fast-track UQ student, staff, and alumni startups. Delivered in collaboration with the Momentum Accelerator, this combined initiative offers two tailored tracks for founders at different stages of their journey.
Over 15 weeks, participants will access a structured curriculum with expert-led sessions on business strategy, product development, go-to-market planning, and investor readiness. Founders will also benefit from experienced Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiRs), mentoring, and access to Queensland’s startup and investor networks.
Two tailored program tracks
iLab Track – for early-stage ventures, typically at or near product-ready stage and pre- or early revenue. Participants receive a $15,000 SAFE note investment from UniQuest and access the full accelerator experience, including weekly sessions, community benefits, and EiR support. The focus is on refining value propositions, building go-to-market strategies, and preparing for early funding opportunities such as grants and angel investment.
Momentum Track – funded by the Queensland Venture Capital Development Fund (VCDF), delivered by UQ Ventures, and designed for later-stage technology startups that are product-ready, in-market, and demonstrating revenue or traction. One venture will have the opportunity to recieve a $100,000 investment from UniQuest (subject to standard due diligence). Programming includes sessions on scaling operations, securing venture investment, and preparing for sustainable growth.
Applicants can indicate a preferred track during the application process; final placement will be determined by the selection committee. Founders from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Open to teams with at least one UQ-affiliated founder (current student, staff, or alumnus). Startups should have a clear solution, validated value proposition, and evidence of early market research or traction. A minimum viable product is ideal but not required.
Applications closed 7 July 2025.
Applications for ilab 2026 will open late 2025.
2025 ilab x Momentum is powered by:
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With support from:
The ilab x Momentum Accelerator 2025 program runs for three months.
Program Highlights
- 15 structured sessions
- Dedicated EiR support and mentor access
- Weekly founder standups and check-ins
- Networking with founders, investors, and experts
- Two showcase pitch events:
- Campus Pitch Event (student-attended) – 18 October
- ScaleUP Showcase Pitch Night (Shark Tank style) – 21 October
Key dates
Orientation week: 30 July 2025
Week 1–15: Wednesdays, 6 August to 12 November
Pitch Event(s): 18 October and 21 October
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.
Investment
Each accepted startup on the iLab track will receive a $15,000 SAFE note investment from UniQuest. One standout venture in the Momentum track will be selected to receive a $100,000 investment through UniQuest at the ScaleUP Festival, subject to due diligence.
Initial information session
Date: Wednesday 11 June
Time: 2-3pm
Venue: Ventures Space, Ground Floor, Global Change Institute (Building 20), St Lucia Campus
Fireside Chat with ilab alumni and EiRs
Date: Wednesday 18 June
Time: 5:30-7pm
Venue: The Atrium, Room 223, 308 Queen Street, Brisbane City
Final information session - application tips with past cohort members
Date: Thursday 3 July
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.
Each selected team for the iLab track will receive $15,000 in funding from program partner UniQuest via a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE agreement). One venture in the Momentum track will be selected to receive a $100,000 investment through UniQuest at the ScaleUP Festival, subject to due diligence.
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 iLab track funding will be made up of a series of three (3) tranche payments throughout the program aligned to achievement of monthly milestones (September, October, November). 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.
Information Sessions
Register to join the upcoming Information Sessions to learn more about the ilab Accelerator program.
2023 Winner: Herik Labs
Listen to Co-founders of HerikLabs, Simone Wilson, Isaiah Stook, and Jason Storey as they talk about their ilab Accelerator experience.