Startups in action

The University of Queensland (UQ) Ventures ilab Accelerator Pitch Night First Prize Winner, MyHive, is keeping loved ones connected with their up-and-coming community-powered support and communication app. Special congratulations to EiR Choice Award winner, Polinate, and People's Choice Award winner, Aroma Armour.

Ventures are incredibly excited to welcome Yarra Kiseleva, founder of Seatfinder, as The University of Queensland (UQ) 2025 Chief Student Entrepreneur! Yarra’s journey with Ventures is a story of discovery, growth, and transformation—one that highlights the power of stepping outside the expected and exploring new career possibilities.

UQ Ventures nominated ilab Accelerator success story Blunge to attend the Hong Kong Techathon 2025, Hong Kong’s premier innovation pitching event, where they were one of only 2 Australian teams invited to present. 

The University of Queensland’s 2025 Ventures ilab Accelerator: Chapter 1 cohort has awarded 11 startups with $15,000 funding to help launch their early-stage ventures.

The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Ventures ilab Accelerator Pitch Night at The Tivoli transformed the stage into a battlefield of ideas, where 12 startups from UQ Ventures’ ilab Accelerator's second cohort of 2024 vied for the spotlight. Each team had the opportunity to showcase their business to a live audience and a judging panel of industry experts.

The University of Queensland’s 2024 Ventures ilab Accelerator: Chapter 2 program has awarded 12 startups with $15,000 funding to help launch their early-stage ventures.

Exciting times are ahead for founders and entrepreneurs in Brisbane as UQ Ventures doubles down on ilab opportunities in 2024, amplifying avenues for innovation and growth. At UQ, Ventures embodies the entrepreneurial ethos of the student, staff, and alumni communities, urging them to be audacious and collaborative in the pursuit of solutions that drive positive change locally and globally.

Supporting your journey to startup success in the Ventures ilab Accelerator are two new and inspiring Entrepreneurs in Residence. Access to their real-life experiences could power your idea into the market.

The University of Queensland’s 2024 Ventures ilab Accelerator program has awarded 10 startups with $10,000 funding each to help launch their early-stage ventures. Now in its 18th iteration, Ventures ilab is one of the longest-running accelerator programs in Australia and has supported more than 230 startups, creating 1,500 jobs and attracting around $206 million in investment funding.

The inspiring startups and small-to-medium sized businesses will share in more than $1.42 million to help them tap into new markets and attract investment in new products and services developed in Queensland. One of these startups is 2023 ilab Accelerator participant, ExtrasJar.