Advance Queensland igniting Startup State innovation

An alarm to help reduce fatalities on Queensland farms from quad bike rollovers and a world-first wireless data link for virtual reality technology are the first two projects to receive funding from the $10 million Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas Fund.

The Ignite Ideas Fund provides grants to small businesses in Queensland to bring innovative new products and services to the market and create the knowledge-based jobs of the future.

A total of 39 applicants were successful in the program’s first round, representing a funding commitment of $5.65 million.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business Leeanne Enoch said she was excited by the first announcements under the program, with more announcements to come over the coming weeks.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas program is all about helping businesses get products to market faster, boosting business growth and creating jobs for Queenslanders,” Ms Enoch said.

“Ignite Ideas was created to help businesses who are ready to take their innovative ideas to the next level and potentially create products and services with huge global market potential.

“Ignite Ideas targets businesses with less than 200 staff that have a working prototype which is ready to be tested in the market place.

Minister Enoch said that ALLSAFE FNQ would receive nearly $100,000 of funding to help commercialise its ATV Angle Alarm – an audible alarm which is activated when an ATV approaches its maximum tipping angle, giving the rider warning to be able to take preventative measures and avoid an accident.

Immersive Robotics – based in Brisbane – have received $100,000 to help refine their wireless virtual reality technology with a view to creating a prototype to demonstrate to key industry corporations such as Facebook, Qualcomm, Google.

The first round of Ignite Ideas received over 350 applications which were independently assessed on the innovation and market potential of the project, the project’s feasibility, its budget and timeframes, the technical and management feasibility of the idea, and the anticipated outcomes for Queensland.

Advance Queensland represents $405 million funding and is the centrepiece of the state government’s drive to create the knowledge-based jobs of the future.

Round Two of the Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas Fund opens on 12 September 2016. Further information at: http://advance.qld.gov.au/entrepreneurs-startups/ignite-ideas-fund.aspx

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201