Global entrepreneurs commit to Queensland’s innovation ecosystem

Queensland’s global reputation as Australia's Startup State continues to gain momentum as startups attracted from around the world choose to make the state their business base.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said today (Monday) nine of the ten startups who have completed their six-month stay under the Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland Hot DesQ program have chosen to continue their presence in Queensland.

“Hot DesQ supported 25 startups from around the world to relocate to Queensland for six months in round one. While the majority are still to complete their term in Queensland, ten of this first generation have finished,” Ms Enoch said.

“Nine of the ten have seen what this state has to offer – and want to continue to be part of our innovation ecoystem. All have contributed by mentoring and creating new connections for local startups - particularly focusing on regional Queensland.

“These new startups who stay will leverage off our proximity to Asia Pacific as well as our sectoral strengths and growing industries within Agtech, health, education, tourism and robotics.”

Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Mark Sowerby said the 25 ‘first generation’ recipients of the Advance Queensland Hot DesQ program have made a significant impact on the local innovation ecosystem.

“We can’t afford to work in isolation. We must have interstate and international connections to be able to crack global markets and Hot DesQ is the key,” Mr Sowerby said.

“Our Queensland startups and scaleups learn and grow from the Hot DesQ teams and international experts like Josh Lerner from Harvard have categorically told us these programs are needed and work.”

Inaugural Advance Queensland Hot DesQ recipient FlowPay will permanently relocate from Silicon Valley to Queensland – with founder Manfred Neustifter continuing to build his startup after hiring three Queensland-based team members.

Mr Neustifter spent two years working on his new payments technology in Silicon Valley before moving to Queensland, and was impressed with the local startup community.

“From Silicon Valley, watching the Advance Queensland initiatives being rolled out, I felt as if this was a golden opportunity to commercialise in Australia,” he said.

“From the moment we arrived we've been blown away by the growing momentum and sense of community in Queensland. Our startup will remain based in Queensland because we have begun building a team here, and because this is a fantastic place to grow a business.”

Ms Enoch said round two of Hot DesQ is still being finalised. Hot DesQ round two applicants will receive up to $100,000 to relocate their business to Queensland for six months at one of Queensland’s host organisations.

These are in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Toowoomba – as well as new host organisations under this round: The Generator in Bundaberg, The Smart Hub in Rockhampton, and Brisbane’s Fishburners and UQ’s iLab.

The Palaszczuk Government’s $420 million whole-of-government Advance Queensland initiative is a long-term vision encouraging Queenslanders to embrace new ways of thinking and back their own ideas – helping generate growth that creates employment.

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