Peter Farrell Cup

UNSW’s most prestigious startup idea pitch competition, helping students and HDR candidates become the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The Peter Farrell Cup is the program to take your idea from inception to pitch night with our support, guidance and the chance to share in a $90,000 cash prize pool.

Applications for 2026 Peter Farrell Cup are now closed.
Express your interest in the 2027 cohort.

Express your interest for 2027
Come to the 2026 Finals!

Program details

Peter Farrell Cup (PFC) offers applicants the necessary tools, skills, guidance and support to take their ideas from that initial light bulb moment to test and pitch, and potentially launch a real business! The PFC builds up to a final pitch competition where participants get the opportunity to win a share of an incredible $50,000 cash prize pool, generously contributed by the Farrell Family Foundation, to help take their ideas to the next level.

  • You’ll gain new skills, knowledge, ways of thinking, friends and opportunities:

    • Get matched with industry mentors and coaches with extensive "been there-done that" experience.

    • Participate in educational hands on workshops.

    • Get access to a world-class Makerspace and startup community.

    • The opportunity to pitch for a share in a huge $25K prize pool.

    Participants retain the copyright and any other intellectual property rights in their idea and startup. Except in some cases for research-related ideas in accordance with the UNSW IP Policy.

    • Be a current UNSW (under/post-grad) student or HDR candidate at the time of application

    • Have a team (minimum 2 - maximum 5) by Pitch Fest - 17 July

    • Have played the primary role in conceiving the idea

    • Not participate in any more than one team

    • Submit the PFC application form

    Your idea must be self-funded and pre-revenue (i.e. your business and idea has received less than $3,000 from investors or paying customers) at the time of the application. Research funding is exempt from this requisite. If you would like more details, contact us at pfc@unsw.edu.au.

  • The PFC program will be delivered in person / on campus at the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre at UNSW Kensington.
    Each workshops will be live streamed

  • Applications Open: 9 February
    Applications Close: 31 May
    Workshops: 3 June - 8 July
    Pitch Fest: 20 July - 24 July
    Finals 🏆: 18 September

  • We’re thrilled to announce that the Peter Farrell Cup is now officially recognised as an AHEGS program! This means your participation in this prestigious competition will be included on your Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS), highlighting your entrepreneurial achievements to future employers and academic institutions.

    Learn more about AHEGS here.

  • For further information about the Peter Farrell Cup, get in touch with us at pfc@unsw.edu.au.

Peter Farrell Cup Highlights