Amplifying entrepreneurship

QUT Entrepreneurship inspires and amplifies opportunities for students, staff and alumni to realise their entrepreneurial capabilities. Through short learning programs and by connecting people across the entrepreneurial community, our award-winning programs empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Led by Professor Rowena Barrett, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Entrepreneurship), the dedicated QUT Entrepreneurship team is here to help unlock potential and grow talent. As a university-wide initiative with global collaborations, we build on QUT's heritage as an entrepreneurial powerhouse to help our students, staff and alumni turn ideas into reality.

We understand what future entrepreneurs need to develop, grow and scale their ideas. We’re invested in the next generation of entrepreneurs who will make an impact in Queensland, Australia and internationally.

Spotlight on entrepreneurship

QUT named Entrepreneurial University of the Year

QUT has been named Entrepreneurial University of the Year for the Asia-Pacific region at a gala event in Barcelona, Spain.

The Triple E Awards, hosted by the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities, launched in 2020 to recognise entrepreneurial excellence and foster change in universities, emphasising the role institutions play in enhancing communities and ecosystems.

Read the story

Nadine Bates and Kristen Souvlis

Nadine Bates and Kristen Souvlis' extraordinary journey and exceptional contributions to the children's entertainment industry serve as an inspiration to other aspiring entrepreneurs and creative minds. Their joint win of the 2023 QUT Outstanding Entrepreneurial Alumnus Award is a fitting recognition of their pioneering spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Their achievements are not only a testament to their creative prowess but also to their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the world through the power of children's entertainment.

Wes Huffstutter

Wes brings his experience of starting up and supporting startups in the US to QUT. Wes is the CEO and co-founder of SecuritySnares, a cyber security tools company and he is the former CEO of QuadMetrics, a cyber risk analytics company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has worked on commercialising university Intellectual Property spending close to a decade working for the University of Michigan's Office of Technology Transfer where he was the startup expert/mentor and principal connector to resources (people and equity funding) for companies forming based on Michigan’s research.

At QUT, Wes mentors a range of student and alumni venture founders. He asks hard questions, helps founders find resources and generously shares his expertise and advice. Whether it is cyber security, technology of some form in different applications or just a ‘how might I…’ question, Wes is here to help.

Wes Huffstutter, QUT Entrepreneur in Residence

Budding Entrepreneur Scholars

Beyond being QUT students, what do Coby Lee, Elise Berry, Jess Carlisle, Sarah Eisenmenger, Sameel Deoji, Finn Ruddell, Covey Middleton, Covey Reyes, Jack Howie, Leila Varga, Zac McDonnell, Christina Lucas, Holly Hudson, Sabrina Guse, Rudi Browning, Peter Samios, Sarah Small and Abigail Lowden all have in common?

These students are holders of the unique Budding Entrepreneur Scholarship. Enrolled in single and double degrees across QUT, these Budding Entrepreneurs show up to create a purposeful community underpinned by honest and respectful engagement where they create opportunities together for self and others through consistent and collaborative effort.

The Budding Entrepreneur Scholarship recognises the entrepreneurial action students undertake at high school and helps them to maintain and grow their entrepreneurial influence while studying at QUT. A package of financial support, mentoring and engagement opportunities make up the Scholarship. QUT Alumni and friends fund four scholarships and we look forward to more of you joining the funding program.

QUT named Entrepreneurial University of the Year

QUT has been named Entrepreneurial University of the Year for the Asia-Pacific region at a gala event in Barcelona, Spain.

The Triple E Awards, hosted by the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities, launched in 2020 to recognise entrepreneurial excellence and foster change in universities, emphasising the role institutions play in enhancing communities and ecosystems.

Read the story

Events

6 March - 4 December

QUT Entrepreneurship’s Open Pitch Night 2024

Held from 6-7pm on the first Wednesday of the month. This is a great opportunity to practice your idea, project or venture pitch in a supportive environment.

Where: the foundry, Gardens Point Campus, Level 2, B Block

Programs

We have a regular schedule of programs designed to address different elements of the entrepreneurial lifecycle.

If you don't know where to start, email entrepreneurship@qut.edu.au for advice or visit the foundry at Gardens Point to chat with us in person.

StartMIT and MIT Fuse

Learn to work, think, and talk like an entrepreneur. These programs are delivered at the MIT Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

Growth Lab

Growth Lab is a 12-week program that will help you build your knowledge and connections to advance your idea to the next level.

Career Catalyst

Catalyst enables you to think about opportunities in a different way so you can see those right in front of you.

Startup Matchup

In collaboration with faculties, hear from innovative and entrepreneurial organisations and discover opportunities for work experience, internships and employment.

Side Hustle

Turn your project, skill, idea or hobby into a business. You'll learn to identify a ‘problem worth solving’, how to validate an idea and a business model and where to find customers.

Innovation Catalyst

During Innovation Catalyst, you'll collaborate with a local organisation to innovate and create new products. In 2023, students worked with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and QUT Sustainability.

Amplify+

A weekend boot camp to create and pitch the next big thing. Amplify+ is about creating, learning, collaborating and experimenting.

Litmus

Litmus is a program for doctoral students and early career researchers looking to develop their entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, and mindset.

Venture Catalyst

Venture Catalyst takes you through the next steps to get your idea to market. This includes creating and establishing your brand and marketing collateral, finessing your research, costing and finance, pitching and sales.

Collaborate and connect

Entrepreneurial communities thrive on collaboration. We love to engage and connect people at regular events. Students can collaborate, network and share ideas in a more relaxed forum, and grow to be a part of our on-campus community.

Open pitch night

Held in person at the foundry, Gardens Point Campus, Level 2, B Block from 6-7pm on the first Wednesday of the month. This is a great opportunity to practice your idea, project or venture pitch in a supportive environment.

Inside innovation

Each month we visit one of city's most innovative startups, hubs or businesses. Join us on the site tour, hear from founders and staff and build your network and knowledge in a conversation over a cup of coffee.

Queensland Connects

Queensland Connects is a regional entrepreneurship acceleration program that supports key leaders to address a regional challenge or unlock a sector or a place-based opportunity to help grow their sector or region.

Pitch to Match

Pitch to Match is the opportunity to find a startup or group to share your talents and skills with, or simply discover like-minded individuals who share your passions for future opportunities. Network, find customers, build a team and create your next opportunity with one slide and a 60-second pitch.

Masterclass

Every Wednesday at 1pm, join one of our visiting entrepreneurs for a masterclass where they'll share their expertise and experience in building a successful venture. Each masterclass covers topics that will inspire you, help you get started, and answer questions about business and social impact.

News

11 Mar 2024

Game Changers: Orange Sky

As much as 500kg of washing were made clean for people experiencing homelessness and hardship across Australia in the hour between 6pm and 7pm on Wednesday, while the Brisbane founders coordinating the massive wash shared their success story and challenged homeless stereotypes during Brisbane’s first Game Changers event for 2024.

3 Nov 2023

Scripting Success: Nadine Bates and Kristen Souvlis Sweep Outstanding Entrepreneurial Alumni Award

In a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit and creative excellence, QUT proudly announces Nadine Bates and Kristen Souvlis as joint winners of the 2023 QUT Outstanding Entrepreneurial Alumnus award.

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QUT foundry co-working spaces

The QUT foundry spaces are staffed every weekday to help our entrepreneurs find the resources, connections, coaches, entrepreneurs-in-residence, or mentors needed at whatever stage they're at on their entrepreneurial journey.

Take a virtual tour of the foundry

Scholarships for budding entrepreneurs

    Many QUT students study and develop an entrepreneurial venture at the same time. We foster this creativity and innovation through the Budding Entrepreneur Bursary and the Budding Entrepreneur Scholarship.

    Scholars work together and with a mentor, while pursuing their entrepreneurial passion through access to unique support and learning experiences.

    Since 2021 we have provided a minimum of four three-year scholarships per year. Scholarships are worth $24,000 each, and applications are sought from entrepreneurial students coming into any undergraduate degree. Four scholarships have been made possible with financial backing by:

    • Marie Mortimer, CEO and founder loans.com.au
    • Matt Fairhurst, CEO and co-founder Skedulo
    • John Stainton, founder John Stainton Productions
    • Dr John Puttick.

    Find out how you can support these scholarships to help us achieve even more.

Contact us

07 3138 1906