Advance Queensland reveals an innovative state in action

The Palaszczuk Government’s rollout of its $405 million Advance Queensland initiative is well on track, with 900 businesses, startups, researchers and innovators receiving grants.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said this figure represented an increase of more than 100 per cent since December.

“The global economy is on the cusp of great change, with huge advances in science and technology – including the rise of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and robotics – as well as in medical science and biotechnology,” Ms Enoch said.

“Advance Queensland is putting our state in prime position to take advantage of these opportunities – building on our strengths, as well as looking to create brand new opportunities in other sectors of the economy, including tourism, energy, agriculture, mining and financial services.

“Our commitment is in stark contrast to the LNP, who remain clueless when it comes to creating new industries and keeping jobs in Queensland,” she said.

Ms Enoch said Advance Queensland - a long-term agenda to inspire innovation, build businesses, attract investment and create jobs - was co-designed with experts from business, industry, academia and research.

Programs include the Advancing Regional Innovation Program, Ignite Ideas Fund, Platform Technology Program, Sport Science Challenge, Global Partnership Awards, Young Starters Program and the Biofutures Commercialisation Program.

“Great ideas happen all over Queensland – and we’re supporting them. We’ve backed innovators across the state from Mareeba to Mackay and Townsville to Toowoomba, to develop great ideas to improve the quality of life for everyday Queenslanders,” Ms Enoch said.

“We’re supporting the development of new food products, time saving technology for critical lifesaving surgery, sensors for sugar mills, technology to help people with swallowing problems, and key research on finding a cure for coeliac disease.

“We’ve also established The Precinct in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, a place where our Queensland startups will cluster, grow and collaborate with investors, government agencies and other startups and entrepreneurs.”

Ms Enoch said that since the rollout of the Advance Queensland initiative in 2015, the number of Australian startup founders based in Queensland has increased from 16.6 per cent to 19.3 per cent.

“We are arguably the most entrepreneurial state in Australia,” she said. “It is estimated that startups could make a contribution of over $100 billion to Australia’s GDP and create over half a million jobs by 2033.”

To find out more about Advance Queensland, visit http://advance.qld.gov.au/

ENDS

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