Curtin University's Accelerate program has unveiled 12 innovative startups for its 2025 cohort, including self-heating baby milk packaging and sustainable mineral supplements made from native seaweed, set to transform industries and improve lives.
The free 10-week program, now in its 11th year, provides tailored mentorship, resources and industry connections to help startups succeed.
Open to Curtin staff, students and alumni, Curtin Accelerate has supported more than 160 entrepreneurs and the development of 84 market-ready innovations since 2013, including Soter Analytics, HyprFire, AMLab, Omni, Co-Architecture, VetChip, SpaceDraft and OneTide.
Director of Entrepreneurship at Curtin, Danelle Cross, said this year's program had drawn a record number of applications.
"Over the past two years, Curtin has invested time, capital and human resources into expanding the impact of our entrepreneur programs including Curtin Accelerate," Ms Cross said.
"To receive more than 70 very strong applications – the most in the program's history – is a strong indicator that our pipeline approach to entrepreneur development is reaping rewards."
Among the selected startups is CuddleCup, self-heating packaging that warms baby milk to the perfect temperature on the go. Developed by neonatal nurse, Jessica Rees, this innovative design provides a safe, reliable and portable solution for parents and carers.
"Feeding a baby outside of the home can be stressful and unpredictable. As a neonatal transport nurse, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges of warming baby milk safely and quickly," Ms Rees said.
"CuddleCup was created to give families and healthcare professionals a foolproof solution that fits seamlessly into their busy lives.
"Curtin Accelerate offers an incredible platform to refine CuddleCup and bring this need-to-have product to parents everywhere, providing a meaningful answer to a challenge faced by families every day."
Another standout is Organic Ocean™, a project by Seaweed Australia to create 100 per cent natural seaweed-based health products derived from locally cultivated green seaweed.
Founder Joel Wynhorst said Organic Ocean's cultivation system is highly sustainable and has been optimised to produce seaweed with multiple health benefits compared to traditional products which are often high in heavy metals and use wild harvested seaweeds.
"Our mission is to provide a healthier and more sustainable option to people looking for organic and safe nutritional supplements," Mr Wynhorst said.
"With Curtin Accelerate's support, we're looking forward to rapidly upscaling the business by learning how to meet and pitch to investors and explore new marketing opportunities."
The 2025 Accelerate cohort represents a diverse group of exciting innovators and startup businesses at varying stages of growth. In addition to CuddleCup and Organic Ocean participants include:
- Anonymous Real-Time (ART): Advanced VPN software using post-quantum cryptography and port hopping to ensure secure, anonymous communication across industrial networks.
- ARGOS: Cloud-based surveillance software that transforms camera networks into intelligent systems with real-time situational awareness and 3D tracking.
- Eat Sustainably: A social enterprise helping organisations reduce emissions and improve health through evidence-based nutrition services, while providing environmental, social and governance reporting for sustainability compliance.
- The Handover: A cloud-based platform to streamline mining maintenance handovers, ensuring regulatory compliance while providing real-time visibility and data analysis for operational improvements.
- HearChoice: A personalised decision support app helping people with hearing loss make informed choices about hearing healthcare, developed through NHMRC-funded research.
- HydroPro: A traction pad for water sports with built-in waterproof storage and an innovative camera mounting, compatible with various boards and cameras.
- MYLO: An AI chatbot that guides users through self-discovery using personalised questions, helping reduce distress while maintaining privacy and accessibility.
- SMAAT: A software application using computer vision and machine learning to help speech pathologists diagnose speech sound disorders.
- StepAhead: An AI-powered virtual dance education platform, bringing interactive, personalised lessons to rural primary schools, increasing student engagement.
- Western Australian Organoid Innovation Hub: An innovation hub providing advanced drug development platforms using organoids for precision medicine, incorporating bio-printing and machine learning technologies.
Curtin Accelerate's 2025 program will begin in February, culminating in the annual Demo Night on Thursday, May 1, where teams will showcase their innovations to investors and industry leaders.
To find out more visit: https://www.curtin.edu.au/engage/entrepreneurs/accelerate/
