From Students to Founders: How V-DAQ is Driving Innovation in Transport

What began as a university engineering project has now become one of Australia’s fastest-growing regulatory telematics providers. Meet V-DAQ - a company revolutionizing transport technology and compliance, co-founded by students who took an idea from the classroom and turned it into a business servicing some of the country’s largest transport operators.

The origins of V-DAQ trace back to a third-year engineering project by Rylan Kolb and Paul Fenech. Initially focused on accident reconstruction technology, the concept was to design a device that could detect vehicle crashes and virtually reconstruct the event for emergency services or insurers. It was an ambitious idea, but one with a clear purpose.

Recognising the potential, Rylan and Paul joined the iAccelerate program at the University of Wollongong - a startup incubator that provides mentoring, infrastructure, and professional development to budding entrepreneurs. That summer, under the supervision of Dr. Raad Raad, the duo began exploring the commercial viability of their idea. What started as a university work experience requirement quickly evolved into a serious business plan.

‘We used the lean methodology from iAccelerate to really understand whether our idea could become a viable business’, Rylan shared. ‘It helped us focus not just on technology, but on our customers - something that’s critical to building a sustainable company.’

With support from iAccelerate, Rylan and Paul shifted their concept from accident reconstruction to a broader, more scalable solution - plug-and-play telematics devices for vehicles. These devices, along with a sophisticated data distribution platform, now help transport companies meet strict compliance requirements, while gaining real-time vehicle tracking, driver performance insights, and access to high-productivity freight schemes.

Just five years on, V-DAQ is certified by Transport Certification Australia (TCA) to deliver regulatory telematics and are working with Australia’s largest transport businesses. They were the first provider registered for the road infrastructure management application and also certified to provide more regulatory telematics (passing technological assessment and testing). Their plug and play device that installs in just 30 secs is delivering precise mass and location tracking. And the results? Some clients are reporting over 15x return on investment!

The V-DAQ journey didn’t stop with incubation. While iAccelerate offered a solid foundation, what truly propelled V-DAQ forward was the team’s determination to stay focused, plan strategically, and build networks outside the bubble.

'iAccelerate gave us a professional environment and access to key business resources, but it was up to us to drive the process. That mindset - looking six to twelve months ahead, and planning for three to five years out - has been crucial’, Rylan explained.

The team made the deliberate decision to grow independently, choosing not to take on venture capital, and instead building their operations organically. Their strategy paid off—today, V-DAQ employs close to 30 talented team members and continues to expand rapidly across the Australian transport sector.

Reflecting on their journey, Rylan offers this advice to future founders:

‘If you’re considering iAccelerate - or any incubator - it’s a great launchpad. But you must be proactive. Take initiative, set clear goals, and use the platform to build something bigger than its walls.’

‘And don’t wait for perfect conditions. The sooner you start talking to customers and solving real problems, the better. That’s how you create something that lasts.’

From lecture halls to logistics giants, the story of V-DAQ is proof that with the right idea, a little guidance, and a whole lot of hustles, students really can become founders - and shape the future of entire industries.