Palaszczuk Government supports startup helping parents keep kids safe online

A Silicon Valley startup is helping parents protect Queensland children from cyber bullying and online predators with backing from the Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland Hot DesQ program.

Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch said technology startup KoalaSafe relocated to Cairns earlier this year to develop their business and to help strengthen the growing startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.

Speaking in Cairns today (Friday), Ms Enoch congratulated the KoalaSafe team on recently signing a landmark international deal to sell their internet monitoring device in 250 Target stores throughout the US.

“With support from the Palaszczuk Government, KoalaSafe is continuing to build their business from their Cairns base and this US Target deal is a significant achievement for them,” she said.

KoalaSafe has developed a small device that plugs into a computer router or modem to create a second wireless network that enables parents to set time limits, manage access and track internet usage across all devices in the home.

Ms Enoch said KoalaSafe’s extensive experience would benefit local entrepreneurs.

“The KoalaSafe team is based at theSPACE – an innovation and startup hub in Cairns – and sharing their experiences and advice with local startups to help grow other businesses," she said.

“The Hot DesQ program is designed to attract high calibre international and interstate startups to locate to Queensland for at least six months.

“We’re doing this by offering them up to $100,000 funding to grow their startup, while also sharing their expertise and connections to help build a vibrant entrepreneurial culture across the state.”

Co-founders and high school mates Adam Mills and Steve Pack developed the idea four years ago in Sydney.

“It was Christmas in 2013 and Steve’s niece and nephew were given iPads for Christmas. His sister was constantly fighting with her children about putting the iPad down and getting off the computer. His sister was desperate for a solution,” Mr Mills said.

“Steve called me about an idea – something that would control all of the devices in the house. We realised there was nothing quite like this and we were eager to find a solution that would turn off the internet with a touch of a button.

“The Advance Queensland Hot DesQ funding has been vital in helping us move into retail, which is very capital intensive.”

Advance Queensland is the Palaszczuk Government’s $420 million whole-of-government initiative, supporting jobs across a range of industry sectors.

To learn more about Advance Queensland Hot DesQ recipients, visit www.hotdesq.com.au/

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