First Half of 2025: A Big Year (Already)
From bold ideas to global exits. The first half of 2025 has been nothing short of transformative for UNSW Founders. From celebrating key anniversaries and welcoming new leaders to seeing startups scale to new heights, this year has set the stage for even greater success. Here's how we're shaping the future of innovation, one breakthrough at a time.
10 Years of Transforming Ideas into Impact
This February, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre (MCIC). Over the past 10 years, the MCIC has been at the core of UNSW Founders and our creative playground, helping turn ideas into successful startups. With over $3 million invested annually and $175 million raised by alumni of the 10x Accelerator, this venue has proven itself as a powerhouse for innovation. This anniversary not only celebrates the centre’s past achievements but also sets the stage for even greater successes in the years to come.
Then came a major boost to our investment capabilities: Kylie Frazer, co-founder of Flying Fox Ventures, joined as UNSW Founders’ first Investor-in-Residence. Kylie’s expertise in deep-tech investments is already making waves as we ramp up support for technologies like AI and quantum computing. Her guidance is accelerating the growth of startups that are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in these sectors.
Westpac’s $1 Billion Commitment Powers Women Founders
Another major milestone, Westpac increased its investment in women-led startups, committing $1 billion to support female and non-binary entrepreneurs. This commitment includes three $20,000 equity scholarships for founders in UNSW Founders’ 10x Accelerator. By providing critical financial and strategic support, this partnership is helping to level the playing field and fuel the growth of women-led businesses across Australia.
AssuranceLab’s Acquisition Signals Global Impact
One of our standout success stories this year has been the acquisition of AssuranceLab. The compliance tech startup, which was part of our accelerator program, was acquired by Sensiba, a U.S.- based professional services firm. This acquisition highlights the power of venture philanthropy and demonstrates how UNSW Founders is helping startups scale from early-stage concepts to global success. AssuranceLab’s growth from a small startup to a major player in AI-powered compliance is a testament to what’s possible when founders receive the right support at the right time. A story about how it is possible to scale a company without VC investors.
The Peter Farrell Cup Turns 25: A Record-Breaking Year
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Peter Farrell Cup (PFC), and it’s our biggest year yet. With a $100K prize pool, we received 290 team applications from student-led startups, each more ambitious and innovative than the last. From tackling youth housing access to developing real-time UV exposure tracking devices, the ideas coming through are as bold as they are brilliant. The PFC continues to nurture the next generation of Australian entrepreneurs, and we can’t wait to see what the final pitches bring.
New Wave is Driving Systemic Change
Cohort 15 of New Wave delivered the biggest Showcase yet, with 200+ attendees celebrating six weeks of grit, growth, and groundbreaking ideas from women founders. This wasn’t just about prizes, it was about progress. Founders tested assumptions, built prototypes, supported one another, and took meaningful steps toward a future where gender equity in innovation is the norm, not the exception.
Fact: 53% of all startups supported by UNSW Founders are led by women, a direct result of New Wave’s influence on the founder pipeline.
Two Rounds of Terrible Ideas, Infinite Creativity
What do you get when you give uni students 48 hours, a stack of Red Bulls, and full permission to build the worst ideas they can think of? You get the Terrible Ideas Hackathon and this year we ran it twice.
Across both hackathons, over 140 students threw themselves into 48 hours of chaos, creativity, and surprisingly brilliant execution. It wasn’t about building something useful. It was about failing forward, thinking sideways, and making weird stuff with seriously impressive skill.
From AI-fuelled nonsense and duck translators to a sentient whispering pillow and a pregnancy decoy bag that gets you priority seating, the ideas were bizarre, hilarious, and technically on point. Behind the scenes? Students were 3D printing, laser cutting, coding, wiring, and prototyping like pros.
A few unforgettable award-winners:
🏆 Most Improved: Step Trap – a step tracker that texts your ex or boss if you miss your goal
🏆 Undisputed Worst Idea: Portable Table – a collaborative table with human legs
🏆 Shut Up and Take My Money!: Troll Booth – a photo booth that hacks your face
🏆 Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder: Mamma Drama – a pregnancy bag for public transport perks
🏆 You Crashed and Burned: Acyedemic Kanye – an eye contact–avoiding robot that insults you
🏆 Meeting Hellp, Tic Tac Choco, and MySpace Belt – just as wild as they sound
Terrible on paper. Brilliant in execution. And exactly the kind of thinking we love to celebrate.
First Thursdays – A Platform for Industry Leaders to Share Insights
First Thursdays has continued to be a core part of UNSW Founders’ mission to inspire and connect the entrepreneurial community. Thus far, we’ve had a stellar line-up of speakers from diverse industries, sharing insights that are shaping the future of technology and innovation in Australia.
Here’s a look at the First Thursdays speakers who took the stage in 2025:
Mark Luo (CEO, Quantum Brilliance) – Mark discussed the future of quantum computing and its potential to transform industries like defence, healthcare, and finance.
Dr. Grace Chung (Head of Research, Google Australia) - Dr. Chung explored the rapid evolution of AI and how it will continue to reshape our technological landscape.
April Walker (CEO & Founder, Azimuth, Australia’s first privately-owned commercial spaceport) – April shared her journey of pioneering Australia’s space exploration efforts and how Azimuth is fuelling the future of satellite launches.
Kurt Walkom (Co-Founder, Pearler & Gridsight) – Kurt examined how fintech and energy-tech are evolving and the role his startups are playing in solving global challenges.
Hayden Smith (CTO & Co-Founder, Pearler) – Hayden discussed the importance of long-term investing and how Pearler is democratising finance in Australia.
Southwest Sydney: Expanding the Innovation Map
MedTech Masterclass:
We hosted a first-of-its-kind Design with Compliance workshop. A full room of clinicians, engineers, students and medtech founders from across Sydney came together to dive deep into what it really takes to build a medical device ready for market.
The session was hands-on and practical, with valuable insights on regulatory approvals, human factors, and design for manufacturing.
Careers Roundtable in Western Sydney:
Nearly 200 students, mentors and industry leaders gathered in Westmead for the Western Sydney Student Careers Roundtable. The evening inspired students with real stories, honest advice and practical support - from one-on-one resume feedback to workshops on using AI to stand out in job applications.
The best part? Seeing UNSW and the University of Sydney join forces in Western Sydney to support students from all backgrounds and degrees.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for UNSW Founders?
As we head into the second half of the year, the energy is only building. The 10x Accelerator is expanding, new partnerships are taking shape, the community of innovators we support keeps growing stronger. And the ambition in the room? Bigger than ever.
We’re looking forward to the opportunities and ventures that lie ahead as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Stay tuned for more updates as UNSW Founders continues to lead the way in innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship.