UQ Ventures Empower program aims to provide participants with educational workshops, mentoring, and a supportive community to accelerate the growth of their early-stage startups.
There are three pathways available:
The key benefits of the UQ Ventures Empower program include:
- Experiential learning
- Accountability and agility
- Mentoring
- Networks and introductions
- Educational startup workshops
As part of the UQ Ventures Empower program, participants will:
- Experience ten weeks of engaging content crafted to resonate with the unique experiences and aspirations of women who are innovators and entrepreneurs.
- Connect with like-minded women, learn from each other’s experiences, and form bonds that will extend beyond the program.
- Learn from successful entrepreneurs and mentors who’ve navigated similar paths, offering insights, advice, and a supportive network.
- Polish pitching skills and showcase unique vision with potential supporters at the Ventures Empower demo day.
Contact days are scheduled with:
- Content sessions and workshops delivered by an Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR), experienced UQ Ventures facilitators, and guest speakers.
- Founder stories.
- Mentoring.
Who Can Apply ?
Eligible applicants for the UQ Ventures Empower Program must:
1. UQ startup teams
- Be individual women founders or startup teams with at least 50% women ownership.
- Consist of active and committed founders who are over the age of 18 years.
- Have a strong connection with UQ as evidenced by one of the founders meeting one of the following criteria:
- Be an undergraduate or postgraduate student of UQ in 2025, including PhD candidates.
- Be an alumna/alumnus of UQ.
- Be a current UQ staff (research/academic/professional) member.
- The balance of the founders who do not meet the above criteria need not have any relationship with UQ.
2. External startup teams
- Be individual women founders or startup teams with at least 50% women ownership, who do not satisfy the connection criteria with UQ as set out in the third eligibility criteria for UQ Startups above.
- Consist of active and committed founders who are over the age of 18 years.
- Be willing to be matched with an Aspiring Entrepreneur for the duration of the program.
3. UQ aspiring entrepreneurs
- Be an undergraduate or postgraduate student of UQ in 2026, including PhD candidates.
- Be 18 years or over at the time of application.
- Be willing to be matched with a startup team for the duration of the program.
Main Assessment Criteria
The main assessment criteria include:
- Product/solution fit and market validation
- Founder skills and team collaboration
- Program fit
Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for the complete list of the assessment criteria.
