Talented Queenslanders off to make their mark in China

Published Wednesday, 24 May, 2017 at 12:05 PM

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Eight Queenslanders – including the inventor of an earthquake-resistant prefabricated building system – will travel to China under a special Palaszczuk Government funding program.

Speaking at a special reception today (Wednesday) at Parliament House for a high-level health and business Torch delegation from China, Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said the eight recipients received funding under the first round of the government’s $480,000 Commercialisation Partnership Program (CPP).

Ms Enoch said the CPP is part of the Advance Queensland Global Partnership Awards, which aim to capitalise on outcomes from Queensland’s considerable science, technology and innovation expertise.

“We have some enormous talent in Queensland and these eight recipients are clear examples of Queensland technological ingenuity and very smart business acumen,” Ms Enoch said.

“The CPP is the product of our very strong relationship with China’s prestigious Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) – which leads and funds science and technology development in China through the Torch High Technology Industry Development program.

“The eight successful recipients each receive up to $20,000 for placement of up to three months in Torch incubators in China.

“They will have access to world-class facilities, mentors and local business links, and receive valuable insight in the Chinese market as well as the potential to secure capital to refine their concepts, develop their technology and grow their business.”

Surfers Paradise-based Go Evolve is an architectural firm developing the Universal Module Building System (UMBS), which bolts together to form ‘green homes and commercial buildings’.

The Universal Modular Building System (UMBS) is ideal for earthquake-prone regions. A UMBS multi-storey building (up to 22 storeys, depending on design) can be built in six months and should last up to 100 years.

Go Evolve Director and award-winning architect Magnus Bjornsson, who is the inventor of the system, said the three-month placement in Guangdong’s High-Tech Industrial Park will open doors for his small company.

“China is likely to be a strong market for this innovation,” Mr Bjornsson said.

“The Advance Queensland grant will enable us to go to market sooner. Through this placement, we will learn more about Chinese commercialisation, source reputable local staff and build local business networks.”

Mr David Inderias from Brisbane-based Applied Matter Systems is travelling to southern China’s Guangzhou Industrial Business Incubator.

He said his company is exporting novel methods of doing business in e-commerce using advanced manufacturing techniques.

“Access to the world’s largest single country economy is a dream come true,” he said. “This is an opportunity to commercialise on a scale we only previously imagined. We are applying technology honed in Queensland on the world stage in China.”

Ms Enoch said the 26-member Chinese delegation visiting Queensland this week were from the Torch High Technology Industry Development Centre, a highly successful entrepreneurial program helping to kick-start Chinese high-tech innovation and startups.

The resident businesses within the Torch precincts produced 11.9 per cent of Chinese GDP in 2015 and accounted for 18.5 per cent of Chinese exports to other markets.

Other first round CPP recipients are:

  • Ocean Organics from Alexandra Hills, who are looking at the pharmaceutical and skincare potential of seagrass extracts.
  • Elanra Medical from the Gold Coast who have developed an air ioniser they believe could have a big market in China because of air quality issues in some of its cities.
  • Digital tourism and hospitality business Island Gate Pty Ltd, from Highgate Hill, who are looking to provide Chinese customers with an immersive dining experience.
  • Griffith University for their revolutionary low cost SiC Schottky Diodes project – improving energy efficiency and reducing the size of power-electronic circuits.
  • Corinda-based Smart Senor Technologies have developed a wireless sensor device which tells wine-lovers the perfect time to drink thet bottle they’ve stored away.
  • Fairfield’s AusAsia Health Innovation are developing an app called the Traegers’ Box – a portable alert device for medical emergencies, such as natural disasters.

Advance Queensland is the Palaszczuk Government's $405 million whole-of-government initiative focusing on harnessing innovation and fostering new industries.

ENDS

MEDIA 0412 393 909