Applications are now open for the Australia's Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) Growth Hub, run in collaboration with the University of Queensland (UQ) Ventures program.
FaBA works with companies of all sizes to support food and beverage manufacturing innovation in Australia, bringing together university minds with industry experts. Highlights from the organisation over the past year have included co-investing in the freshly upgraded QUT Pioneer BioPilot in Mackay, partnering with Sydney-based biotech company, All G, to scale up its milk supplement production, developing a Texture Library Toolkit to improve product quality for plant-based meat manufacturer, v2food, and undertaking a $5.6 million project to expand consumption of oats, through the commercialisation of oat-based products.
In December, FaBA also confirmed its project co-investment has been extended by the federal government through to mid-2028, meaning companies can invest in innovation with 1:1 matched funding up to $5 million while retaining access to their IP.
One of the ways FaBA works with the food and beverage sector is through training programs, such as the FaBA Growth Hub, a 12-week course designed to accelerate SMEs and startups ready to innovate, scale, and meet the demands of a changing market.
Designed as a one-day-per-week commitment, the program provides tailored support for founders to refine their product and strategy, including expert mentorship, industry workshops, and strategic introductions to investors and partners.
The organisation stated that by the end of the program, ventures are positioned for real commercial growth – ready to raise capital, grow confidently, and lead the transformation of Australia’s food and beverage sector.
The program will be delivered virtually on Tuesdays for 12 weeks, from 5 May-21 July, and is open to SMEs developing solutions across:
- Analytics & data services for F&B
- Digital F&B platforms & software
- Food safety & traceability tech
- F&B Manufacturing improvements
- Novel food & beverage (B2C)
- Novel ingredients (B2B)
- Packaging innovations
- Processing tech
- Supply‑chain & logistics solutions
The program will conclude with a pitch night to the ecosystem and investor network, the FaBA Growth Hub Showcase, which will be held in person in Brisbane in August 2026.
Applications are now open, and close on 20 April 2026 at 9.00 am AEST. Head to ventures.uq.edu.au for more information and to apply.
