2025 Venture Catalyst cohort with Craig Jones (Deputy Director: Business Incubation, UniSA), Peter Stevens (Executive Director: Industry and Government, UniSA), Professor Peter Murphy (Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Enterprise, UniSA) and the Hon Michael Brown MP
Credit: Innovation & Collaboration Centre
Five South Australian companies graduated from the University of South Australia’s Venture Catalyst accelerator program (general category) at an event at the UniSA’s Enterprise Hub yesterday.
The 2025 cohort — Arterial, BizFilm, Fleurieu Made, Genetic Labs Australia and Precision Digital Health — reflect the diversity and depth of South Australia’s startup community with four of the companies led by UniSA students, staff or alumni, and BizFilm participating through the ICC’s partnership with the Helpmann Academy.
The graduation marks a significant milestone as the University’s Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC) celebrates 10 years of powering entrepreneurial talent.
The 2025 cohort demonstrates the strength and maturity of South Australia’s startup sector with founders already commercialising products, manufacturing locally and exporting internationally across digital health, medical technology, consumer goods and digital media.
Over the past ten years, the Innovation & Collaboration Centre has supported more than 140 startups and 220 founders, contributing an estimated $29 million to South Australia’s economy.
Through the Venture Catalyst program, the ICC has provided nearly $1.2m in funding with startups collectively raising a further $116m.
UniSA’s Deputy Director of Business Incubation Craig Jones says this year’s graduating founders represent the next group of globally ambitious businesses developed in South Australia.
“The 2025 cohort are not just concepts or experiments, they include market-ready, revenue generating businesses with real customers as well as emerging ventures pushing new technologies and products closer to market,” he says.
“Venture Catalyst gives founders the right support at the right time to support the growth of South Australian innovation to the world.
“It’s unique because the program is both equity and IP free giving startups the best possible chance of success.”
He says innovators are critical to South Australia’s economic future.
“Programs like Venture Catalyst give founders a safe space to test and refine their ideas.
“They’re solving real problems and creating jobs, not just for today but for the future of our state.”
Founder of Fleurieu Made, Angelina Russo says the program helped her channel her energy into the right areas of her business.
“This program is just what I needed,” she says.
“I had a strong idea, but I needed to be challenged on whether it could become a commercial business - and the ICC did that.”
“The mentorship and workshops gave me clarity and allowed me to put my energy into the right places rather than spending time and money on things that weren’t central to my business development.”
“Without the Venture Catalyst (program), I’d still have an idea but not a scalable business model.”
Russo plans to continue testing her platform’s market potential while staying connected to the ICC for guidance.
“It’s easy for entrepreneurs to be passionate about an idea but not know the next steps,” she says.
“This program surrounds you with people on the same journey, people you can learn from in all areas.
“It’s not just about developing a product, it’s about building infrastructure, an ecosystem and the drive you need to scale successfully.”
In 2026, the Venture Catalyst program will run under the Adelaide University banner. Interested participants can register their interest here.
2025 Venture Catalyst graduates
| Precision Digital Health |
Empowering culturally and linguistically diverse communities to better manage cancer treatment through smart, personalised digital health tools. |
| Arterial |
Developing AI-driven receptionist software for dental clinics that automates calls, bookings and patient engagement. |
| Fleurieu Made |
Using AI to measure and improve fashion sustainability through its Circular Fashion IQ Index, helping brands and consumers reduce waste and meet global sustainability standards. |
| Genetic Labs Australia |
Producing high-quality, science-based supplements that support healthy ageing and energy, proudly made in Australia. |
| BizFilm |
Providing professional, accessible video production for businesses of all sizes, from corporate content and training videos to event coverage. |
About the ICC
The Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC) is the University of South Australia’s startup hub, supporting early-stage founders to build globally scalable businesses. Through programs like Venture Catalyst, the ICC connects entrepreneurs with funding, mentoring, research expertise and global networks.
