UTS Startups

UTS Startups is the vibrant hub of entrepreneurship at the University of Technology Sydney, dedicated to inspiring and supporting technology-enabled entrepreneurs across its vast community. Based in Sydney, Australia, this initiative serves current and past UTS students, staff, UTS College students, and even extends its reach to tens of thousands of high school students, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset from an early age. Since its inception, UTS Startups has rapidly grown to become Australia's largest community of student-launched startups, reflecting a significant shift in student interest towards entrepreneurial pathways.

The entity differentiates itself through a commitment to providing free, non-dilutive support for its general programs, a unique stance that encourages broad participation without seeking equity in nascent ventures. UTS Startups offers a comprehensive ecosystem of support, including a substantial co-working space with 250 desks located in Sydney's bustling Tech Central precinct, designed to facilitate collaboration and peer learning. Programs like Rapid Value Creation focus on practical skills in AI, digital marketing, and monetisation, while a strong 'give back' culture ensures experienced founders mentor emerging ones. Unlike many traditional accelerators, UTS Startups prides itself on flexible, non-rigid programming that prioritises meaningful connections between founders and relevant experts, investors, customers, and talent.

The impact of UTS Startups is substantial and quantifiable. In its first six years, it has supported over 1,500 ventures, which have collectively created over 1,200 new paid jobs. Furthermore, the program has provided invaluable work-integrated learning experiences, with 950 UTS students engaging in internships and in-subject projects, and 70 PhD candidates applying their research within these startups. A notable achievement is the annual UTS Startups Awards, celebrating successful ventures across various categories, and the UTS Startups Summit, recognised as Australia's largest event to inspire and support young tech-enabled entrepreneurs. Annually, 9.5% of graduating UTS students embark on their own startup journeys, showcasing the program's effectiveness in cultivating future founders.

Under the leadership of Murray Hurps, Director of Entrepreneurship, UTS Startups continues to champion accessibility and diversity within the entrepreneurial landscape, actively working to involve more female-identifying entrepreneurs and students from diverse backgrounds. The organisation's vision extends beyond the university walls, aiming to equip a broader segment of the Australian population with the skills and confidence to pursue technology-enabled entrepreneurship. By providing a supportive environment and critical resources, UTS Startups ensures that individuals have the opportunity to transform innovative ideas into impactful, scalable businesses, contributing significantly to Australia's tech economy and job creation.