July 24, 2026
A decade of iAccelerate celebrated with launch of UOW Innovation Catalyst
New university-wide strategy to move research from ideas to market
The University of Wollongong celebrated 10 years of its startup incubator and business accelerator, the iAccelerate Centre, on Friday 24 July with the launch of UOW Innovation Catalyst – a university-wide strategy to translate ideas into industry partnerships, investment and jobs.
UOW Innovation Catalyst is built on three pillars: iAccelerate; Innovate UOW, a platform to translate research into commercial opportunities; and a $10 million Innovation Seed Fund to develop promising ideas and attract partners and further investment. The strategy builds on a decade of iAccelerate success in supporting entrepreneurs, commercialising ideas and growing innovative businesses in the Illawarra.
Since opening in 2016, the iAccelerate Centre has supported more than 600 ventures and startups, helped create more than 1,200 jobs, and backed founders to raise over $145 million in capital. Businesses in its ecosystem have generated more than $630 million in revenue, contributed over $185 million to the local economy, launched 502 products and filed 140 intellectual property applications.
UOW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Max Lu AO said the milestone reinforced UOW's long-standing role as a leader and driver of research, industry collaboration and regional development.
"iAccelerate's greatest success has been building an ecosystem that connects students, researchers, industry partners and entrepreneurs to turn ideas into real-world impact," Professor Lu said.
Professor Alan Rowan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) said, “UOW Innovation Catalyst is the next chapter. It brings together research, entrepreneurship and commercialisation expertise so more ideas move from labs and classrooms into partnerships, startups and jobs.”
NSW Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, the Hon Ryan Park MP, said iAccelerate had served as a bridge between education and business and been a driving force in the Illawarra's economic transformation.
"I congratulate UOW and everyone involved in iAccelerate on a decade of success, showing the Illawarra is a place where world-class ideas can become businesses, jobs and impact well beyond the region," Mr Park said.
"We see its impact in companies like Hysata, which has taken world-leading hydrogen technology developed from UOW research and is helping position the Illawarra at the forefront of the global clean energy transition.
"UOW has built a growing innovation ecosystem and I'm confident it will continue to ensure the brightest minds can stay, build and lead right here in the Illawarra."
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the Hon Paul Scully MP, said UOW Innovation Catalyst will help strengthen the Illawarra’s economy by supporting new partnerships and enterprise.
“UOW Innovation Catalyst creates a clear, direct pathway to turn our brilliant local research into practical solutions, new businesses and sustainable jobs," Mr Scully said.
"I look forward to the partnerships, businesses and benefits this will create for the Illawarra and beyond."
Deanna Maunsell, who joined iAccelerate in 2017 and went on to co-found in-home aged care provider Allcare and disability support service Bunji, said the incubator's community had been critical to her success.
"We had amazing support which I don't think you could get anywhere else," Ms Maunsell said.