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 and Regional Innovation), 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

Innovation Arena

As part of the Startup Year initiative supported by the Australian Federal Government, QUT are offering a program that aims to build founders and innovative professionals, not simply build startups. Innovation Arena is a structured, guided program that equips you with the practical skills to develop and scale new products and services, either as a new venture or as an intrapreneur, driving change within organisations.

Learn more

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

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

5 February 2025

QUT Entrepreneurship's Open Pitch Night 2025

Our first Open Pitch Night for 2025 will be held on the 5 February, from 6-7pm, the first Wednesday of the month.  This is a great opportunity to practice your idea, project or venture pitch in a supportive environment.

When: 6 - 7pm 5 February 2025

Where: The foundry, B230, Level 2, B Block, Gardens Point campus

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.

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.

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.

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.

Litmus

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

Amplify+

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

Startup Matchup

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

Career Catalyst

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

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.

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.

Enterpreneurship Mentoring

The QUT community, including staff, students and alumni, have the opportunity to engage with our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and visiting mentors. These sessions are available to discuss your ideas and provide support to take them to the next level.

News

27 Jun 2024

Industry leaders gather to upskill next-gen innovators

More than 300 high school students from across Queensland and northern-New South Wales are workshopping Australia’s most in-demand skills for jobs of the future as they meet in Brisbane for the QUT Future You Summit.

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 Scholarship. Applications open July 28 2024.

    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 McLean, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
    • 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 1790