A fantastic evening of creativity, courage, and clever thinking unfolded recently at Cohort Innovation Space as the NextGen Pre-Accelerator Demo Night brought together some of the region’s brightest student and researcher-led startups. After eight weeks of refining their ideas through workshops, mentoring, and hands-on support, seven standout teams took to the stage to pitch their ventures to a packed room.
The NextGen Pre-Accelerator, hosted in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, is designed to equip emerging founders with the skills, tools, and networks needed to bring their startup ideas to life. From product validation to pitch coaching, participants received expert guidance from innovation leaders across the local ecosystem.
Celebrating Big Wins and Bold Ideas
NeoGlycis was awarded the Judges’ Favourite for its groundbreaking blood test that allows earlier detection and monitoring of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The innovation has strong potential to improve diagnostic timelines and deliver better patient outcomes.
CutCompass won the hearts of the audience, taking out the People’s Choice Award for their live barber discovery app. Their confident pitch and relatable solution resonated with the crowd and showed the power of simple, smart innovation.
Other standout ventures explored AI-powered services, student engagement platforms, and creative tech tools, with each team demonstrating impressive validation, business potential, and purpose.
Lifting the Next Wave of Founders
The NextGen program continues to build momentum as a launchpad for student entrepreneurs on the Gold Coast. By connecting early-stage founders with mentors, industry leaders, and peers it creates a vibrant space where ideas grow into investible ventures.
Demo Night wasn’t just a showcase; it was a celebration of the talent, energy, and ambition fueling the region’s startup ecosystem. With support from Griffith University, the event highlighted how the Precinct is helping drive the next generation of innovation.
Get Involved
If you’re a student, researcher, or aspiring founder with a big idea, NextGen could be your next step. The program supports a wide range of industries, including health, tech, education, and sustainability.
🔗 Find out more and register your interest: cohortspace.com.au/nextgen
