UQ Venture’s iLab, Australia’s renowned accelerator program for early-stage startups, is gearing up for an exceptional collaboration. In the upcoming second half of 2025, iLab will join forces with the later-stage Momentum accelerator to create a super cohort. This strategic merger aims to provide a comprehensive support system for startups at various growth stages.
If you’re eager to dive into this dynamic entrepreneurial environment, now is the time to act! The application deadline for both the iLab and Momentum Accelerators is fast approaching – mark your calendar for this Monday at noon. To be eligible, your startup team must include at least one founder affiliated with the University of Queensland, whether as a current student, staff member, or alumnus.
The iLab Accelerator is specifically tailored to propel early-stage ventures that are either at or near the product-ready stage. Successful applicants will receive a $15,000 SAFE note investment from UniQuest to fuel their entrepreneurial journey. The program focuses on honing value propositions, crafting robust go-to-market strategies, and priming startups for potential funding avenues like grants and angel investments.
Tyson Jennings, UQ Ventures’ iLab Manager, expressed enthusiasm about the caliber of talent nurtured by the accelerator. He shared insights on past participants:
“Founders from companies like Blunge, Flashback, Lilo, Fitcover and Polinate have all benefited from our program.”
Jennings added eagerly,
“We look forward to witnessing the innovative outcomes of this super cohort and welcoming new successful participants.”
Jenna Donnelly, founder of Lilo Living, attested to the transformative impact of the program on her startup journey.
“The mentorship and knowledge gained through iLab were instrumental in propelling my startup forward,”
Donnelly reflected gratefully. She emphasized how being part of this vibrant startup community opened doors to valuable connections with seasoned founders and industry experts.
On another front lies Momentum accelerator funded by QIC’s Queensland Venture Capital Development Fund (VCDF). Tailored for later-stage technology startups that are market-ready and demonstrating revenue growth or traction; it offers substantial support including a $100k investment from UniQuest (subjected to due diligence).
Yasarth Krishna serves as the program lead at Momentum Accelerator emphasizing their mission statement:
“Momentum aims not only at commercial success but also fosters holistic founder growth.”
Previous cohorts have excelled in scaling operations effectively while gaining confidence in leadership roles.
The collaborative efforts between iLab and Momentum will culminate in an exciting event – UQ Ventures ScaleUP Showcase featuring prominent speakers sharing valuable insights alongside mentoring sessions and investor networking opportunities. Participating startups will engage in an innovation showcase followed by semi-finalist pitches vying for investment opportunities.
Both programs are set to kick off on August 6th providing a 15-week intensive journey filled with learning opportunities tailored towards accelerating startup success stories.
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