Murdoch Business School joined representatives from 35 universities across Australia and New Zealand at the 2026 Australasia University Entrepreneurship Alliance (AUEA) gathering in Brisbane.

Andre deSouza, Director of Entrepreneurship, attended on behalf of Murdoch Business School, joining university entrepreneurship colleagues to exchange ideas and explore approaches to supporting student founders.

Hosted by Queensland University of Technology (QUT), the gathering marked the alliance’s third year of programming and its expansion across the Tasman. The inclusion of New Zealand universities prompted a name change from the Australia University Entrepreneurship Alliance to the Australasia University Entrepreneurship Alliance.

The program provided an opportunity for participants to share successes, discuss common challenges and consider different approaches to university entrepreneurship. Discussions explored how universities can help students develop business ideas alongside their studies through access to coaching, mentoring, funding, industry networks, international experiences and internships.

Panel sessions covered a broad range of topics, including reflections from former Queensland Chief Entrepreneurs, government grants, raising capital and initiatives supporting emerging entrepreneurs. Mentoring was another focus, with discussions examining how universities can build founders’ capabilities and confidence to make decisions and pursue opportunities.

A recurring theme was the importance of the relationships underpinning entrepreneurship programs. University support, government involvement, industry connections, philanthropy, mentors and coaches all contribute to creating opportunities for students to turn ideas into businesses.

For Murdoch Business School, the event offered an opportunity to connect with entrepreneurship colleagues across Australia and New Zealand and contribute to a shared conversation about supporting the next generation of university founders.