Gold Coast businesses benefit from innovation funding

An initiative to develop creative solutions for affordable, small lot residential housing is one of three innovative Gold Coast projects to receive funding under the Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business Leeanne Enoch announced the first successful recipients of funding with 22 businesses set to partner with six Queensland universities to drive innovation and create opportunities through greater collaboration.  

“The Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland initiative provides opportunities to share knowledge, skills and ideas across sectors to foster collaboration, inspire innovation and create jobs,” Ms Enoch said.

“The Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program is a great example of how the Queensland Government is working to create jobs through innovation, and supporting businesses to develop new products and services.

“The program offers grants of up to $50,000 to small to medium enterprises to employ a university graduate who can bring new ideas and technologies to projects designed to grow the business.”

Gold Coast regional projects receiving Advance Queensland funding include:

• $22,550 to Natura Pacific at Burleigh to create an educational app in partnership with Griffith University. The app will promote the use of native plant species in gardens and help reduce the spread of weeds – benefiting local communities and the environment
• $49,332 for Nitestar Security Group at Bundall to expand the company’s use of drone technology and research new commercial services. In partnership with QUT, the project aims to identify more innovative uses for drones across industry sectors to help the business grow and diversify
• $41,021 for Taylor Willis Town Planners at Southport to identify a range of highly efficient, cost-effective and feasible residential development housing products. In partnership with Bond University, the project will contribute to the creation of affordable housing.

A total of $1.16 million has been awarded state wide to date, with more than $930,000 going directly to businesses and the remainder shared by universities for mentoring and coordination of the partnerships.

The Australian Council of Learned Academies, in its Translating research for economic and social benefit report, recommended other states, territories and the Federal Government adopt a model similar to the Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program.

Ms Enoch said Queensland is already ahead of the game nationally as the first state to implement this type of program, which was launched in September 2015. 

The full list of current recipients is available at the Advance Queensland website.

For further information about the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program or to apply for fundingvisit the Advance Queensland website.

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201