STARTUP ECOSYSTEM REPORT
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Regional Queensland 2015<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong> <strong>ECOSYSTEM</strong> <strong>REPORT</strong><br />
A report on the People, Groups and Companies involved in Regional Queensland’s startup sector.<br />
JANUARY 2016<br />
Commissioned by the Department of Science,<br />
Information Technology, and Innovation;<br />
the Toowoomba Regional Council; Ipswich<br />
City Council; Bundaberg Regional Council;<br />
Rockhampton Regional Council; Mackay Regional<br />
Council; Townsville City Council and the Cairns<br />
Regional Council.<br />
Produced by Boundlss.
Green Valley Digital<br />
Jay Daniells<br />
Andrew Whitlock<br />
Diggy<br />
101 Business Group<br />
Michael Waters<br />
Owen Rippingale<br />
Peta Neale<br />
David Withers<br />
Thales<br />
Queensland Investment Corporation<br />
Richard Chappell<br />
Matt McKinley<br />
Microair<br />
Minstaff Survey Pty Ltd<br />
Procedures Online<br />
Precision Agriculture<br />
Bundaberg Region Rising<br />
BigMate<br />
Tim Neale<br />
Phil Ainsworth<br />
Andrew Beckenhauer<br />
Conetix Web Hosting<br />
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service<br />
Peta Jamieson<br />
Stephen Moore<br />
Chris Jenkins<br />
Graham Smith<br />
BMA<br />
HelloClaims<br />
UAView<br />
Jabiru<br />
Mick Storch<br />
Garry France<br />
Rodney Stiff<br />
Bundaberg Regional Council<br />
mangoesmapping<br />
Inspection Apps<br />
Chris Mills<br />
Peter Byrne<br />
Real Time Instruments Tony Crowley<br />
DEC-MECH<br />
Townsville Lean Network<br />
Shane Ridley<br />
Matt Hanson<br />
ResPax<br />
Ashley Walker<br />
Robert Sluggett<br />
Kristy Gostelow<br />
Strategenics<br />
Glenn Skerman<br />
Snipe<br />
PakYak<br />
Otrain<br />
Greg Skerman<br />
Farmacist<br />
AgData<br />
Neil McPhillips Kadence Group<br />
Junta Simon lenoir<br />
AUFO<br />
Defence Materiel Organisation<br />
AgData Australia MyPool Inspection<br />
BetsWithFriends Andrew Bills<br />
Unisys<br />
Stephen Dummett<br />
Darryl Postgate<br />
NQ UAV<br />
Mark Matthews<br />
George Corea<br />
David Cole<br />
Australian Digital Futures Institute<br />
River City Labs<br />
Stephen Baxter<br />
Almost Anything<br />
ShareStuff<br />
Wishbone Communications<br />
Peta Ellis<br />
Westpac<br />
John Thornely<br />
hello claims<br />
Paul Pisasale<br />
Richard Sazima Australian Army Queensland Health<br />
Startup Townsville<br />
Benjamin Taylor<br />
University of Southern Queensland<br />
Supercell Media<br />
NQ Innovate<br />
Matthew Tebble<br />
Make it Strategic<br />
RiverPitch<br />
500 Startups<br />
Royal Australian Navy<br />
Solidfacts NQ Victor Attwood Joe Hoolahan<br />
Sandra Harding<br />
Digital Physics<br />
Helen Farley<br />
Glen Rice<br />
Broadband Today Alliance<br />
Department of Defence<br />
Strictly Service<br />
JESI<br />
Darren Cooke<br />
Kurt Pudniks<br />
Thought Select Andrew Whannell<br />
Matthew Schultz<br />
Engineers Australia<br />
Startup Cairns<br />
LogiCamms<br />
Jesse Gileppa Code Valley<br />
GHD<br />
Helen Newell<br />
Daniel Peacock<br />
Alan Jones<br />
Rhonda Whiteside<br />
Alan Brown<br />
ABB Industry<br />
Get Back 2 Basics<br />
Startup Mackay David Finnish<br />
University of Queensland<br />
Peter Watson<br />
Damian Zammit<br />
Ergon Energy<br />
Ipswich City Council<br />
ShareBoat Technologies<br />
Wide Bay Volunteers<br />
David Morrison<br />
James Cook University<br />
Oz Apps<br />
My Water Filter<br />
Dennis Murphy<br />
University of Wisconsin Madison<br />
Townsville ICT Business Network<br />
Jodie Stanley<br />
theSpace Cairns<br />
Mick Scott<br />
Damian Zammit<br />
ASSOB<br />
Sally Kift<br />
Upson Downs Imaging Services<br />
Chris Cocklin<br />
Unity Finn<br />
iAMConnected<br />
Troy Haines<br />
Wow Factor<br />
FNQ Apartments<br />
Xerospace Australasia<br />
Osmotion<br />
Robert Gilmour<br />
David Beitey<br />
Therma Culture<br />
Narain Ramakrishnan<br />
Hummingbird<br />
David Henry<br />
Terry Kearney<br />
Startup Weekend<br />
Experimental<br />
Unicorns<br />
Springfield Land Corporation<br />
John Williams<br />
SaferData<br />
David Masefield<br />
Charles Darwin University<br />
Central Queensland University<br />
Andrew Joy<br />
2bit Studios<br />
Roy Pidgeon<br />
QR<br />
CSIRO Hilary Winchester<br />
SafetyCulture<br />
Adam Young<br />
Ian Devenish<br />
CatchLog<br />
Ecosure<br />
Robert Buhrke<br />
Christine Bell<br />
EnviroSource<br />
Intritec<br />
Rodney Archdall<br />
Phil Baker<br />
Iceberg Innovation<br />
Dieter Bohm<br />
TedX Rockhampton<br />
Dave Swain<br />
Robert Buhrke<br />
iMeasure<br />
Peter Milani<br />
Tony Best<br />
Andrew Bate<br />
Brett Bundock<br />
HoverCam<br />
Joanna Batstone<br />
SwarmFarm Robotics<br />
Kerry Purcell<br />
Ji Shen<br />
Glen Garner<br />
ESRI<br />
Konveen<br />
Nicholas Flor<br />
Emma Monro<br />
Steven Hambleton<br />
Sales VA<br />
IBM Australia<br />
Shedproject<br />
Joy Taylor<br />
Kix Fit<br />
Terry McCosker<br />
Smart HR Solutions<br />
emailancer Aden Tranter<br />
TAFE QLD<br />
Anton Mazkovoi<br />
Chris Brown<br />
John Mlikota<br />
WR Grace<br />
David Newby<br />
inCapital<br />
Carbon Link<br />
Insight Creative<br />
Dr Larry Marshall<br />
Luke Anear<br />
D2K<br />
Insite SJC<br />
John Bruce-Smith<br />
Comit<br />
Mr Craig Roy<br />
Happy Healthy Kidz Australia<br />
Startup Toowoomba<br />
Chris Bosomworth<br />
Skydronics<br />
Leanne Griffin<br />
Eat Smart B Active<br />
Innov8<br />
Eduhealth Plus<br />
Stuart Pocknee<br />
Matthew Drane<br />
Jenny Legge<br />
QIT Plus<br />
Mark Venz<br />
Canvas Co-Working<br />
Caked On<br />
Mitch Miller<br />
Scan2Convert<br />
Gilmour Space Corp<br />
David McCallum<br />
Fierce Ventures<br />
Adam Gilmour<br />
Grant Bajema<br />
JobFit Systems<br />
BajTech<br />
Martin Oates<br />
Craig Hodges<br />
James Gilmour<br />
Site Specific Software Solutions<br />
Stuart King<br />
Hortus<br />
QLD Emergency Medicine Research Foundation<br />
Chris Madsen<br />
Jason Spence<br />
Jack Milbank<br />
Nicky Jurd<br />
Tyson Clarke<br />
Lisa van den Berg<br />
Best Practice Software<br />
ClinicalHub<br />
iAssist<br />
Precedence<br />
Bargara Brewing Company<br />
Tradiesweb Focuss WebTraf<br />
Voista<br />
Rail Innovation Australia<br />
Kaj Haffenden<br />
Elise Wyandra Warring<br />
Lorraine Pyefinch<br />
Queensland Property Advice<br />
Biofilm Crop Protection<br />
Frank Pyefinch<br />
Symon Pritchett Jeffrey Smidt<br />
Vince O'Rourke<br />
tourstogo.com<br />
Dale Edney<br />
Natasha Wells Patrick Latter<br />
Tourback<br />
Don Neal<br />
Site Specific Software Solutions<br />
Anna Daniel<br />
Vivia<br />
Koolivoo<br />
Didgigo<br />
SamTheWaiter<br />
Dynamic Conversations<br />
CurvyDames<br />
Casey Brown<br />
Agri Labour Australia<br />
Precision Terrain Solutions<br />
NFA<br />
Circuit Wiz<br />
Aaron Pirie<br />
Carol Hautot<br />
My Footy Boots<br />
Scripti<br />
David C. Wajsgras<br />
Taylor W. Lawrence<br />
Polaris Data Centre<br />
Raytheon<br />
Relocations2go<br />
Greg Stamper<br />
Acubis<br />
Why Not Tours<br />
Sam Leo<br />
Droner<br />
Global Store Solutions<br />
Matt Ewing<br />
Sakure<br />
BitPlex<br />
Insta Connect Elliot Strickland<br />
Airmap3D<br />
yRepublic<br />
Nicole Hambleton<br />
Barry Knights<br />
Phil Martin<br />
Anthony Dukes<br />
Mogtastic<br />
nupath<br />
Bronwyn Voyce<br />
Inmarketing<br />
GamePlan Global Solutions<br />
Michael Sloggett<br />
Nathaniel Armer<br />
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks<br />
Taste Paradise Tropical North Queensland<br />
Daniel Lundh<br />
Adam Williams<br />
CloudSpark<br />
Second to none Nutrition<br />
Ian Irving<br />
Jamie Armer<br />
OrbStudio<br />
TenderHound<br />
4tel<br />
Townsville City Council<br />
John McLean<br />
Darren Smith<br />
Northrup Grummond<br />
Rent Resume<br />
Greg Bruce<br />
A Few Extra Bucks
CONTENTS<br />
Foreword 4<br />
Summary 5<br />
About 7<br />
Context 8<br />
Fundflow 10<br />
Organisations 12<br />
Regional Showcase 14<br />
Regional Comparisons 15<br />
Toowoomba 16<br />
Ipswich 18<br />
Bundaberg 20<br />
Rockhampton 22<br />
Mackay 24<br />
Townsville 26<br />
Cairns 28<br />
Company Stages 30<br />
Angel & Startup Density 31<br />
Global Comparisons 32<br />
STEM Talent Flow 34<br />
STEM Talent Flow Map 36<br />
Meetups & Events 38<br />
Network Centrality 39<br />
Market Focus 40<br />
Technology Strengths 41<br />
Spotlight – AgTech 42<br />
Spotlight – SafetyCulture 44<br />
Community Insights 46<br />
Thank You 48<br />
References 50<br />
3
FOREWORD<br />
The Regional Queensland Startup Ecosystem<br />
Report was commissioned by the Queensland<br />
Government in partnership with the Cairns<br />
Regional Council, Townsville City Council,<br />
Mackay Regional Council, Rockhampton<br />
Regional Council, Bundaberg Regional Council,<br />
Ipswich City Council and Toowoomba Regional<br />
Council.<br />
The Queensland Government is investing,<br />
through the Advance Queensland initiative, $180<br />
million over four years to create the knowledge<br />
based jobs of the future.<br />
Advance Queensland is a comprehensive suite<br />
of programs designed to solve global challenges,<br />
seize opportunities in growing markets, attract<br />
investment dollars and create the jobs of the<br />
future. It will help position the state as an<br />
attractive investment destination with a strong<br />
innovation and entrepreneurial culture.<br />
In support of Advance Queensland, the Regional<br />
Queensland Startup Ecosystem Report provides<br />
valuable data about the contribution startups make<br />
to regional Queensland economies. The report<br />
estimates regional Queensland currently has more<br />
than 70 startups, employing approximately 450<br />
people and since January 2010 has raised $10.4<br />
million in funds.<br />
This report complements the South East<br />
Queensland Startup Ecosystem Report, which<br />
was released in July 2014 https://www.qld.gov.<br />
au/dsitia/assets/documents/startup-ecosystemmapping-report.pdf.<br />
Similar to the South East Queensland Startup<br />
Ecosystem Report, this report provides an indepth<br />
insight into the diversity and unique aspects<br />
of regional Queensland startup ecosystems and<br />
associated infrastructure.<br />
The Regional Queensland Startup Ecosystem<br />
Report’s findings indicate regional Queensland<br />
has a strong foundation on which to position the<br />
state as an attractive investment destination with a<br />
strong innovation and entrepreneurial culture.<br />
The importance of the startup ecosystems to the<br />
growth and diversification of regional Queensland<br />
economies cannot be understated.<br />
Regional Queensland, through the support of this<br />
report, is embracing the opportunities to broaden<br />
regional economies in which their communities<br />
operate and are ready to assist in reskilling and<br />
retooling the existing workforce to take advantage<br />
of the opportunities available through technology<br />
startups.<br />
The Queensland Government will work with<br />
regions to understand and build their innovation<br />
ecosystem.<br />
4
SUMMARY<br />
NO. <strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
83+<br />
Estimated number of startups within Regional<br />
Queensland (RQ) a<br />
NO. FOUNDERS<br />
150+<br />
Estimated number of startup founders within RQ<br />
NO. PEOPLE<br />
~450<br />
Estimated number of RQ startup employees<br />
N0. MEETUPS & EVENTS<br />
71<br />
Estimated number of startup events per annum<br />
NO. COWORKING SPACES<br />
3<br />
NO. SUPPORTING COMPANIES<br />
150+<br />
Estimated number of companies involved in the<br />
startup ecosystem<br />
NO. ASSOCIATED PEOPLE<br />
~1,500<br />
Based on the number of technology meetup groups<br />
and employees of startups and supporting entities<br />
TOTAL FUNDING RAISED BY <strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
$10.4M<br />
Estimated total amount of funding raised by RQ<br />
startups between January 2010 and July 2015.<br />
Funding sources include venture capital, angel<br />
investment, government grants and awards.<br />
Excludes bootstrapping (self funding)<br />
AMOUNT OF <strong>STARTUP</strong> BOOTSTRAPPING<br />
$20M<br />
Based on global benchmarking, we estimate that it<br />
takes $250,000 to get a startup off the ground<br />
NO. <strong>STARTUP</strong>S FORMED BY YEAR b<br />
Strategy<br />
Marketing<br />
Project Management<br />
Management<br />
Education & Training<br />
Leadership<br />
Information Technology<br />
Business Development<br />
Stakeholder Management<br />
Finance<br />
10<br />
12<br />
24<br />
22%<br />
4<br />
4<br />
6<br />
24%<br />
4%<br />
MARKET FOCUS: % <strong>STARTUP</strong>S BY TOP 10 d<br />
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 1 2-5 5-10 11-50<br />
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting<br />
Arts & Recreation Services c<br />
Information Media & Telecommunications<br />
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services<br />
Education & Training<br />
Entertainment, Tourism & Sport<br />
Public Administration & Safety<br />
Retail Trade<br />
Communication<br />
Construction<br />
% OF PEOPLE BY COMMON SKILLS e<br />
18<br />
17%<br />
10%<br />
10%<br />
10%<br />
8%<br />
6%<br />
6%<br />
6%<br />
5%<br />
4%<br />
10%<br />
8%<br />
7%<br />
6%<br />
5%<br />
5%<br />
5%<br />
4%<br />
3%<br />
2%<br />
a) For the purpose of this report, Regional Queensland<br />
(RQ) is defined as the following regional areas;<br />
Toowoomba; Ipswich; Bundaberg; Rockhampton;<br />
Mackay; Townsville; and Cairns.<br />
b) Number of Startup companies founded by calendar<br />
year in the “No. Startups formed by year” graph does<br />
not equal the total “No. Startups” as the founding dates<br />
of some startups within RQ were not identified.<br />
c) Arts & Recreation Services includes digital game<br />
studios, developers and tourism.<br />
% OF <strong>STARTUP</strong>S BY TEAM SIZE<br />
50%<br />
% OF PEOPLE BY AGE e<br />
4<br />
29<br />
18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+<br />
FEMALE FOUNDERS e<br />
Female (13%)<br />
Male (87%)<br />
32<br />
d) While the report uses the Australia New Zealand<br />
Industrial Classification (ANZIC) to classify the<br />
“Market Focus” of companies, this does not represent<br />
their industry classification, but rather the target<br />
market of a startup company - the primary market they<br />
are addressing.<br />
e) Based on estimated percentage of people in RQ with<br />
“Founder” or “Owner” in their job titles, working in<br />
Technology companies identified on Linkedin.<br />
27<br />
9<br />
5
SUMMARY OVERVIEW<br />
The report was produced by Boundlss in<br />
partnership with the Department of Science,<br />
Information Technology, and Innovation<br />
(DSITI), Toowoomba Regional Council, Ipswich<br />
City Council, Bundaberg Regional Council,<br />
Rockhampton Regional Council, Mackay<br />
Regional Council, Townsville City Council and<br />
the Cairns Regional Council.<br />
This report identified 83 technology startups<br />
operating throughout Regional Queensland.<br />
Information was gathered through seven regional<br />
workshops, interviews with founders and from<br />
manual research using data from online media.<br />
The report found an estimated 450 people who<br />
are working in and building scalable technology<br />
startups. The report identifies $10.4 million in<br />
funding over 5 years to 12 regionally based<br />
startups, resulting in a funding per capita of<br />
$1.15.<br />
MARKET / PRODUCT FOCUS<br />
Of these 83 startups, a wide range of market<br />
focus was evident, with particular regional<br />
clusters beginning to emerge in agriculture,<br />
tourism and professional services. Product and<br />
technology types were diverse, ranging from<br />
Internet of Things sensors to online meetings to<br />
eLearning platforms.<br />
ESTABLISHED TECHNOLOGY<br />
This report also identified 36 established<br />
technology companies that are operating in the<br />
regions. Whilst these are outside the age range<br />
of the scope for this report, a number of these<br />
companies have developed industry leading<br />
software, have large established client bases and<br />
are important local employers. Harnessing the<br />
experience of these organisations is important<br />
for the development of the regional ecosystem.<br />
REGIONAL SUMMARIES<br />
This report was focused around seven Regional<br />
Queensland ecosystems. A summary for each<br />
participating region is given below, and a more<br />
detailed write up provided within this report.<br />
Toowoomba<br />
Toowoomba’s startup ecosystem has started to<br />
take shape, stemming from several community<br />
driven initiatives. Toowoomba is also home<br />
to a number of large established technology<br />
companies, particularly in the AgTech space.<br />
Ipswich<br />
Ipswich is very much in the development stages<br />
of a startup ecosystem, but ambitious plans to<br />
launch a digital incubator will see real traction in<br />
this region in the not too distant future.<br />
Bundaberg<br />
Bundaberg has a very small pool of startups<br />
and an embryonic ecosystem. However, there<br />
are a number of large established technology<br />
companies that add weight to the region’s<br />
technology output.<br />
Rockhampton<br />
Rockhampton also has a very small pool of<br />
startups. Nevertheless, there are a number<br />
of large established technology companies<br />
operating in the region, particularly in digital rail<br />
technology.<br />
Mackay<br />
Mackay has struggled to establish an ecosystem<br />
over the past few years, but a number of<br />
community driven initiatives are changing this<br />
situation. The city held its first Startup Weekend<br />
in October 2015.<br />
Townsville<br />
Townsville contributes the largest proportion<br />
of GDP out of all seven regions mapped. The<br />
flagship company SafetyCulture is one of<br />
Australia’s fastest growing tech companies and<br />
lends weight to the fact that startups can be<br />
wildly successful in regional centres.<br />
Cairns<br />
Cairns was the surprise stand out in this report.<br />
Cairns, per capita, has a higher startup density<br />
than South East Queensland, with one startup for<br />
every 5,300 people.<br />
COMPARATIVE BENCHMARKING<br />
Comparing these regions with nine similar sized<br />
regional cities in the USA and Europe that have<br />
developed strong technology hubs, we found<br />
Regional Queensland has much lower startup<br />
formation rates than South East Queensland and<br />
is far behind comparable global tech hubs.<br />
TALENT FLOW<br />
The report contains a section on talent flow, as it<br />
was a consistent issue raised by all participants.<br />
We examine where regionally educated<br />
individuals are currently working in technology<br />
across the globe.<br />
MEETUPS AND EVENTS<br />
This report found that across Regional<br />
Queensland there was a minimal amount of<br />
relevant meetups proportional to the population.<br />
Some regions suffer from having no technology<br />
specific meetup at all, and the majority of others<br />
have been launched in the last 12 months. A lack<br />
of central collaboration spaces was seen as a<br />
key stumbling block to regular interaction, with<br />
only three regions having co-working spaces in<br />
operation or announced.<br />
AGRICULTURAL TECH<br />
The report identified that Agricultural<br />
Technology (AgTech) startups are beginning<br />
to emerge across Regional Queensland. All<br />
regions showed signs of innovation in AgTech.<br />
As this report explains, it seems only natural<br />
that Regional Queensland could serve as the<br />
epicenter for the development of an innovation<br />
ecosystem and entrepreneurial economy around<br />
the emerging Australian AgTech sector.<br />
COMMUNITY INSIGHTS<br />
Building, attracting, and retaining talent was<br />
seen as a critical factor across all regions.<br />
Retaining a critical mass of talent is paramount<br />
to the growth of any regional ecosystem. Other<br />
identified issues were a lack of networking and<br />
collaboration, access to co-working spaces,<br />
access to funding and raising awareness of the<br />
sector and startups in general.<br />
CONCLUSION<br />
The early stage technology sector in Regional<br />
Queensland is in its infancy with a few<br />
breakout successes that have managed to<br />
overcome regional isolation and sparse support.<br />
Nevertheless, the region has a promising level<br />
of engagement in some of the most innovative<br />
new technologies coming to market, such as<br />
autonomous vehicles, drones, advanced internet<br />
connected sensors and advanced robotics, for<br />
use in industrial and agricultural markets. Being<br />
located in rich agricultural land, startups can<br />
and are developing innovative solutions for a<br />
trillion-dollar market.<br />
THE BOUNDLSS TEAM.<br />
6
ABOUT<br />
PROJECT AIMS<br />
This project aims to benchmark and quantify the<br />
ecosystems around early stage high growth digital<br />
technology companies (referred to in this report<br />
as startups for short) across Regional Queensland.<br />
The report aims to measure Regional Queensland’s<br />
comparative strengths, and identify critical issues<br />
within each ecosystem. This project is the first of<br />
its kind in regional Australia.<br />
SCOPE<br />
This report maps the primary people (founders,<br />
angels and other participants), organisations<br />
(startups, venture capital firms, co-working<br />
spaces, incubators and government agencies),<br />
groups (angel and community groups) and events<br />
(awards, conferences, and programs) involved in or<br />
supporting early-stage technology startups across<br />
Regional Queensland.<br />
For the purpose of this project, Regional<br />
Queensland (RQ) is defined as the following seven<br />
regions:<br />
• Cairns<br />
• Townsville<br />
• Mackay / Whitsunday<br />
• Central Queensland (Rockhampton and<br />
Gladstone)<br />
• Wide Bay Burnett (Bundaberg region)<br />
• Darling Downs (Toowoomba region)<br />
• Ipswich<br />
The report only includes those companies and<br />
people that have made a tangible contribution to<br />
the development of regional high growth startups<br />
– whether that be through mentoring, sponsorship,<br />
investment, grants or space, etc. A separate report<br />
mapping the South East Queensland startup<br />
ecosystem was made publicly available in October<br />
2014.<br />
METHODOLOGY<br />
The report was compiled in partnership with the<br />
Department of Science, Information Technology<br />
and Innovation (DSITI), Toowoomba Regional<br />
Council, Ipswich City Council, Bundaberg Regional<br />
Council, Rockhampton Regional Council, Mackay<br />
Regional Council, Townsville City Council and<br />
Cairns Regional Council.<br />
Information was gathered through seven regional<br />
workshops with over 100 participants and from<br />
interviews with 35 people across the regions.<br />
Information on people, events and companies<br />
was also gathered using data from online<br />
platforms including LinkedIn, AngelList, ASSOB,<br />
CrunchBase, Gust, Twitter, Eventbrite, Kickstarter,<br />
Pozible and Meetup, and complemented with<br />
internet research.<br />
Combining several data sources gives a more<br />
comprehensive view than one in which information<br />
is taken from any one individual source.<br />
However, no research project can claim to offer<br />
definitive, complete coverage. The digital sector<br />
is, quite simply, evolving too rapidly. Whilst all<br />
attempts have been made to be comprehensive,<br />
some critical people and organisations in this<br />
growing sector may have been missed.<br />
DEFINITIONS<br />
Startups<br />
Whilst any type of early-stage business can be<br />
called a startup, for the purposes of this project the<br />
definition used by StartupAus, Google Australia<br />
and PwC Australia was adopted: a ‘startup’ is<br />
a company primarily focused on developing<br />
innovative digital technology and intellectual<br />
property (IP) with a high leverage on labour, an<br />
innovative scalable business model, capable of<br />
rapid growth, and under five and a half years in<br />
age.<br />
Digital<br />
The project focused on companies that create<br />
value primarily around digital technologies such as<br />
developing software products or services, scalable<br />
hardware based products and services such as<br />
drones, sensors, autonomous vehicle technology,<br />
Internet of Things (IoT) technology, and robotics.<br />
Exclusions<br />
Digital technologies are being deployed across all<br />
industries and permeate all aspects of our society.<br />
The reality is that a large proportion of Australian<br />
businesses now have digital technology as a core<br />
component of their business. To clarify, this report<br />
excludes the following:<br />
Consulting: The project excluded companies<br />
engaged with digital technology that have a<br />
high reliance on manual labour and produce<br />
little to no IP of their own, such as digital design<br />
studios, digital marketing, software development<br />
houses and computer consulting companies.<br />
Technology support, networking, and computer<br />
repair businesses were also excluded. Similarly<br />
excluded were any other organisations providing<br />
IP development as a service purely for other firms.<br />
However, many companies build potentially<br />
scalable digital products (e.g. iPhone apps)<br />
alongside their consulting services, in which case<br />
they have been included.<br />
Established Technology: the report excludes<br />
digital technology companies established prior to<br />
2009 from the definition of a ‘startup’. However,<br />
in some cases the report mentions companies,<br />
investment figures or entity numbers for more<br />
mature digital technology companies. In these<br />
cases, the report refers to these as Established,<br />
Mature or Later stage digital technology<br />
companies.<br />
Tech Companies<br />
Data that encapsulates both startups and<br />
established technology companies is referred to as<br />
digital technology companies, or Tech Companies<br />
for short.<br />
Funding & Investment<br />
The report captures information on the money<br />
raised by established technology companies<br />
and startups to fund company and product<br />
development. Startups secure funding in multiple<br />
ways: private investment, government grants,<br />
crowdfunding, public investment, prizes and loans.<br />
The report did not analyse money flowing out of<br />
the state into startups in other states or countries.<br />
When the report refers to Funding, Investment or<br />
Matched Funding it means:<br />
Funding: the report means all types of funding<br />
including private investment, government<br />
grants, matched funding, crowdfunding, public<br />
investment, prizes and loans. This definition<br />
excludes the Tax Office’s R&D Tax Incentive.<br />
Investment: the report means private or public<br />
equity investment in a company in exchange for<br />
shares in the company, including convertible notes,<br />
options and other financial tools for purchasing<br />
shares.<br />
Matched-Funding: a large portion of startup<br />
funding in Queensland came from the Australian<br />
Government’s Commercialisation Australia (CA)<br />
grant program, established in 2009. By matched<br />
funding the report refers to the portion provided<br />
by the applicant, and the portion provided by the<br />
government is referred to as the government grant.<br />
Currencies<br />
All currencies used within this report are in $AUD<br />
unless otherwise stated.<br />
STEM Qualifications<br />
For the purpose of this analysis, Science,<br />
Technology, Engineering & Mathematics<br />
(STEM) qualifications refer to any non-school<br />
qualifications at the Postgraduate degree level,<br />
Master degree level, Graduate diploma and<br />
Graduate certificate level and Bachelor degree<br />
level in any of the following fields:<br />
• Natural & Physical Sciences,<br />
• Information Technology,<br />
• Engineering & Related Technologies,<br />
• Agriculture, Environmental & Related<br />
Studies, and<br />
• Mathematics.<br />
7
CONTEXT<br />
Uber, the world’s largest taxi company, owns no<br />
vehicles. Facebook, the world’s most popular<br />
media owner, creates no content. Alibaba, the<br />
most valuable retailer, has no inventory. And<br />
Airbnb, the world’s largest accommodation<br />
provider, owns no real estate. 1 - Tom Goodwin,<br />
SVP Strategy & Innovation, Havas Media<br />
For Regional Queensland to grow a vibrant startup<br />
ecosystem it is essential to create an environment<br />
that is conducive to creating and retaining<br />
startups on local soil. Twenty to thirty years ago,<br />
almost all tech startups were created in startup<br />
ecosystems like Silicon Valley. Today, technology<br />
entrepreneurship is a global phenomenon, with<br />
startups rapidly emerging all around the world in<br />
both major cities and regional centres. 2<br />
The democratisation of entrepreneurship has<br />
created plentiful opportunity for any region<br />
with the right characteristics to create its own<br />
sustainable tech ecosystem.<br />
Technology is no longer a vertical industry, as its<br />
been understood by everyone for four decades.<br />
Technology is now a horizontal, enabling force<br />
throughout the whole economy. 3 - John Battelle<br />
ECONOMIC GROWTH<br />
There is no question that software is eating the<br />
world, as Marc Andreessen famously wrote. 4<br />
Software is now core to producing just about every<br />
good or service we consume. It’s embedded in<br />
almost every commercial process, and it’s shifting<br />
the balance of power in a range of industries.<br />
Information era businesses have become the<br />
dominant source of economic growth, significantly<br />
automating or altering much of the industrial and<br />
service businesses of the previous economic era.<br />
In the USA, three technology companies (Apple,<br />
Facebook & Google) contribute $1.3T to GDP<br />
– higher than the value of the entire ASX. As the<br />
saying goes: “The future is already here, it’s just<br />
not evenly distributed.” 5<br />
By providing a baseline of data this report aims<br />
to play a role in the creation of more diversified,<br />
competitive and healthy regional economic bases<br />
that includes technology entrepreneurs.<br />
At least in the United States, net job growth<br />
comes from startup companies, especially the<br />
kind that explode from a few employees to several<br />
thousand. In technology, those winners have a<br />
way of producing more winners. The process<br />
reaches critical mass in the web of intertwined<br />
companies, resources, advantages, ideas, talent,<br />
opportunity, and serendipity that defines a<br />
technology cluster. 6 Antonio Regalado, MIT<br />
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TECH<br />
The economic contribution of the internet and<br />
digital technologies can be difficult to estimate,<br />
particularly given the changes generated by digital<br />
disruption within Australian businesses across<br />
a variety of industries. In Deloitte’s report The<br />
Connected Continent II: How digital technology<br />
is transforming the Australian economy (2015),<br />
the digital economy in Australia was estimated to<br />
have contributed $78.8 billion to GDP in 2013–14,<br />
representing 5.1% of total Australian GDP. 7<br />
In our previous report we estimated that the<br />
economic impact of digital technology on<br />
Queensland’s economy in 2025 would be in the<br />
order of $96 billion per annum or roughly 24% of<br />
the state’s projected $396 billion economy.<br />
According to IBIS World’s white-paper, A<br />
Snapshot of Australia’s Digital Future to 2050, 15<br />
different industry sub-sectors face extinction due to<br />
factors such as size, international competitiveness,<br />
the potential for displacement, and technology. 8<br />
For example, within Australia, Uber has created<br />
thousands of low-paying jobs for drivers, whilst<br />
capturing 10% of the taxi market. In the USA,<br />
Uber has created over 300,000 jobs for drivers,<br />
plus thousands more high-value jobs, and a<br />
company worth $USD 50 billion which will in<br />
time spawn hundreds of new startup founders and<br />
investors.<br />
Netflix officially launched its Australian service<br />
in March 2015, and is seen as the leader in the<br />
streaming category, with an estimated 40% market<br />
share. Curiously, Netflix is building its presence in<br />
Australia with no local employees and is paying<br />
no tax.<br />
REGIONAL GROWTH<br />
Looking back over Regional Queensland’s past,<br />
the vast majority of regional growth strategies<br />
have focused on attracting established companies<br />
looking to expand or open new premises. While<br />
it is certainly important for regions to attract<br />
established businesses, those deals typically create<br />
a small finite number of jobs.<br />
What isn’t evident in most regional growth<br />
strategies is the organic growth of an<br />
entrepreneurial tech cluster. However, sowing the<br />
seeds of entrepreneurship can lead to a more rapid<br />
and sustainable job growth strategy for the region.<br />
For example, in Queensland it is estimated<br />
that approximately 88% of the 90,000 jobs in<br />
agriculture are regionally based. These jobs and<br />
the economic contribution they provide are the<br />
backbone of many rural and regional communities<br />
in Queensland. One in seven Queenslanders<br />
are either partially or entirely supported by the<br />
Agriculture sector.<br />
AGTECH<br />
Globally, agriculture is in the middle of a digital<br />
revolution. The benefits of converging the digital<br />
and physical worlds are too valuable to ignore<br />
for Regional Queensland. Its proximity to the<br />
rapidly expanding Asian middle class offers a<br />
startling opportunity for the region to develop a<br />
local industry around the emerging global AgTech<br />
market.<br />
CLUSTERS<br />
A regional technology cluster represents a<br />
geographic concentration of interconnected<br />
companies and institutions in a particular field.<br />
Vibrant industry clusters and ecosystems<br />
are critical for increasing the productivity of<br />
companies, driving innovation, stimulating new<br />
business creation and breeding scalable highgrowth<br />
companies.<br />
The factors that contribute to a flourishing<br />
technology ecosystem have been well defined<br />
by researchers, policy makers and entrepreneurs:<br />
An entrepreneurial culture with a large<br />
number of active participants; mentoring from<br />
experienced entrepreneurs; a supportive regulatory<br />
environment; a culture of collaboration and<br />
networking; a steady flow of local university talent;<br />
visible successes and role models; risk tolerance;<br />
easy access to capital; government policy with<br />
a long-term focus; and access to good technical<br />
skills. 9<br />
Many of these factors are cultural, rather than<br />
structural, and in many ways a strong culture<br />
comes prior to structural changes (e.g. greater<br />
access to capital or supportive regulation).<br />
According to PwC’s The Startup Economy:<br />
“Culture is the key to accelerating the growth<br />
of a tech community. In the 1970s the tech<br />
communities of Silicon Valley and the area<br />
around MIT... were similar in size. But by the<br />
1990s Silicon Valley was dominant. The accepted<br />
explanation for the difference in growth rates is<br />
the open and collaborative culture of the Valley.<br />
This same culture is what is driving growth in<br />
both Boulder Colorado and Israel.” 10<br />
While it hasn’t yet been proven if a thriving<br />
ecosystem improves the success rates of each<br />
startup individually, it does act as a giant factory,<br />
producing large numbers of startups. Produce<br />
enough startups and in principle, many of them<br />
are likely to be successful. Several of them even<br />
wildly successful. 11<br />
Clusters also directly support new business<br />
formation. Porter argues that working in a cluster<br />
allows individuals to more easily identify gaps<br />
in the current market offerings, enables efficient<br />
access to talent, institutions, partners, etc., and a<br />
home-grown exit market (i.e. established members<br />
of the cluster are the likely acquirer). 12<br />
Regional tech clusters can impact the trajectory of<br />
growth in the region and:<br />
• Slow and even reverse migration of tech talent<br />
out of the region/state;<br />
• Grow successful local tech companies to<br />
become primary job creators;<br />
• Recycle the wealth that is created by reinvesting<br />
in the region, versus transferring<br />
wealth to major cities; and<br />
• Help local successful entrepreneurial and<br />
technical talent stay local.<br />
8
THIS <strong>REPORT</strong> ESTIMATES THE<br />
POTENTIAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF<br />
DISRUPTIVE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES<br />
ON REGIONAL QUEENSLAND’S<br />
ECONOMY IN 2025 COULD BE<br />
OVER ~$34 BILLION PER ANNUM,<br />
APPROXIMATELY 25% OF GROSS<br />
REGIONAL PRODUCT.
FUND FLOW<br />
ORGANISATION<br />
SafetyCulture<br />
JobFit Systems Intl<br />
JESI Management<br />
MandraIT<br />
CatchLog Trading<br />
Trinity Software<br />
Strictly Service<br />
Business Ready Tool<br />
Why Not Tours<br />
Shed Project<br />
AM Shelfie<br />
Dynamic Conversations<br />
TOTAL RAISED<br />
REGION AMOUNT RAISED<br />
Townsville $5,700,000<br />
Mackay $900,000<br />
Townsville $900,000<br />
Calliope $830,080<br />
Cairns $745,198<br />
Cairns $601,000<br />
Mackay $500,000<br />
Townsville $100,000<br />
Cairns $20,000<br />
Toowoomba $20,000<br />
Townsville $20,000<br />
Cairns $20,000<br />
$10,356,278<br />
YEARS<br />
2013, 2014<br />
2012<br />
2013, 2015<br />
2012<br />
2011<br />
2012<br />
2013, 2014<br />
2012<br />
2014<br />
2015<br />
2015<br />
2015<br />
FUNDING SOURCE<br />
CA, Blackbird, Angels<br />
CA, Unknown<br />
CA, Unknown<br />
CA, Unknown<br />
CA, Unknown<br />
CA. Unknown<br />
Not disclosed<br />
CA, Unknown<br />
ilab<br />
ilab<br />
ilab<br />
ilab<br />
TOTAL FUNDING RAISED – ALL TECH<br />
$10.4M<br />
Based on total funding raised over five<br />
and a half years in Regional Queensland.<br />
FUNDING PER CAPITA – ALL TECH<br />
$1.15<br />
Average fund pool per year divided by<br />
Regional Queensland’s population.<br />
VENTURE CAPITAL PER CAPITA<br />
Silicon Valley<br />
Israel<br />
USA<br />
Switzerland<br />
Norway<br />
Melbourne Cup Bets<br />
Australian Bio-tech<br />
Sweden<br />
Finland<br />
Denmark<br />
France<br />
Britain<br />
2012 Aus Olympic Team<br />
Ireland<br />
Netherlands<br />
Belgium<br />
New Zealand<br />
Austria<br />
Perth (incl govt)<br />
South East Queensland<br />
Australia<br />
South East Queensland (Excl Govt)<br />
Perth (excl Govt)<br />
Regional Queensland<br />
Regional Queensland (Excl Govt)<br />
14 15 16<br />
$4,241<br />
$183<br />
$81<br />
$74<br />
$54<br />
$52<br />
$44<br />
$40<br />
$28<br />
$16<br />
$15<br />
$15<br />
$14<br />
$14<br />
$14<br />
$12<br />
$11<br />
$8<br />
$6<br />
$5<br />
$4<br />
$4<br />
$3<br />
$1.2<br />
$0.8<br />
The report’s funding data covers the January<br />
2010 to July 2015 period and includes all<br />
digital technology companies in RQ with<br />
publicly available information. It includes both<br />
investments and government grants (where no<br />
equity was exchanged).<br />
This report identified 12 digital technology<br />
companies that secured funding, raising a total<br />
of $10.4 million, which gives an average of $2.1<br />
million per year, or $1.15 per capita.<br />
SafetyCulture (Townsville) alone contributed<br />
more than 55% of the total funding raised in RQ.<br />
TOTAL FUNDING BY REGION<br />
Gold Coast<br />
Brisbane<br />
Townsville<br />
Sunshine Coast<br />
Mackay<br />
Cairns<br />
Other QLD Region<br />
Toowoomba<br />
Ipswich<br />
Bundaberg<br />
Rockhampton<br />
TOTAL FUNDING BY LEAD FUND TYPE<br />
Venture Capital<br />
Government Fund (CA) *<br />
Angel Group<br />
Unkown (Matched Funding)<br />
Accelearator<br />
$69M<br />
$45M<br />
$6.7M<br />
$5.3M<br />
$1.4M<br />
$1.4M<br />
$83K<br />
$20K<br />
$3.8M<br />
$3.5M<br />
$1.9M<br />
$1.6M<br />
$80K<br />
Funding levels within RQ are well below the<br />
norms across Australia for startup investment<br />
- between $4 to $6 per capita per year.<br />
Furthermore, they are critically below global<br />
startup investment rates which range between $30<br />
to over $3,000 per capita per year.<br />
While only 14% of startups in Regional<br />
Queensland raised money, the remaining<br />
71 startups will have required bootstrapped<br />
investment. We estimate that roughly $20 million<br />
in bootstrapped investment has been provided<br />
by founders, family and friends to get these<br />
remaining startups up and running - based on an<br />
average investment of $250,000 per startup. The<br />
actual figure is most probably higher than stated.<br />
$0<br />
$0<br />
$0<br />
TOTAL RAISED BY YEAR<br />
$745,198<br />
$2,431,080<br />
$4,200,000<br />
$2,420,000<br />
$560,000<br />
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015<br />
When examining the major sources of funding,<br />
government funding comes out as one of the<br />
largest. Government funding is almost entirely<br />
made up of funding from the now defunct<br />
Commercialisation Australia (CA) program, ~$3.5<br />
million or 33% of total funding, which attracted<br />
matched funding of $2.2 million (21% of all<br />
funding) from angels and VCs. It is noteworthy<br />
how effective CA was in attracting capital into<br />
the sector. The second largest funding source is<br />
individual angels - $2.4 million or 23% of all<br />
funding.<br />
ilab, an accelerator, has funded four regional<br />
startups to participate in its germinate accelerator<br />
program. Whilst the dollar amounts are low<br />
($80,000), they provide an important service in<br />
incubation and exposure to further capital.<br />
The Advance Queensland 13 announcements in<br />
July 2015 were warmly received by regional<br />
startup participants. With $76 million aimed at<br />
encouraging a new wave of startups, supporting<br />
proof-of-concept projects, and attracting coinvestment<br />
through the Business Development<br />
Fund, it is promising to see $24 million directly<br />
earmarked for Startup Queensland, to directly<br />
increase startup formation and attraction.<br />
10
“<br />
UNLIKE RESOURCES,<br />
CREATIVITY IS NON-DEPLETABLE.<br />
NOR DOES IT DEGRADE THE<br />
ENVIRONMENT. IT THEREFORE<br />
UNLOCKS OPPORTUNITIES FOR<br />
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH.”<br />
PARK GEUN-HYE, 2013<br />
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT
<strong>STARTUP</strong> ORGANISATIONS<br />
COMPANIES<br />
Startup companies founded after 2010, along<br />
with key support organisations based in<br />
Regional Queensland. (Multiple) indicates<br />
that the organisation operates across regional<br />
borders and in some cases companies are located<br />
outside Regional Queensland but have actively<br />
contributed to the development of the local<br />
ecosystem.<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
101 Business Group (productivity)<br />
(Rockhampton)<br />
2bit Studios (games) (Cairns)<br />
3D Industries (3D printing) (Toowoomba)<br />
A Few Extra Bucks (marketplace) (Bundaberg)<br />
AgriLabour (marketplace) (Toowoomba)<br />
Airmap3D (drones + GIS) (Mackay)<br />
AM Shelfie (3D printing) (Townsville)<br />
Stealth Startup (communication) (Ipswich)<br />
AUFO (drones + GIS) (Cairns)<br />
BajTech (3D printing) (Townsville)<br />
BetsWithFriends (mobile app) (Cairns)<br />
BitPlex (Productivity) (Rockhampton)<br />
Caked On (other) (Bundaberg)<br />
Carbon Link (hardware) (Rockhampton)<br />
CatchLog (infrastructure) (Cairns)<br />
Clinical Hub (infrastructure) (Ipswich)<br />
Comit Platforms (mobile app) (Townsville)<br />
Didgigo (content creation) (Cairns)<br />
DrinkTracker (mobile app) (Cairns)<br />
Droner (drones) (Cairns)<br />
Dynamic Conversations (education) (Cairns)<br />
Economy Saver (marketplace) (Gladstone)<br />
Eduhealth Plus (hardware) (Ipswich)<br />
EnviroSource (marketplace) (Rockhampton)<br />
Experimental Unicorns (marketplace)<br />
(Townsville)<br />
Farmacist (marketplace) (Mackay)<br />
Focuss (other) (Cairns)<br />
GamePlan (productivity) (Rockhampton)<br />
Gilmour Space Corp (infrastructure) (Bundaberg)<br />
Global Store Solutions (marketplace)<br />
(Toowoomba)<br />
HelloClaims (insurance) (Cairns)<br />
Hummingbird (drones) (Toowoomba)<br />
I Want that Course (marketplace) (Cairns)<br />
iAMConnected (collaboration) (Cairns)<br />
Inspection Apps (mobile app) (Cairns)<br />
InstaConnect (hardware) (Cairns)<br />
INTERACTin (communication) (Gladstone)<br />
Intritec (desktop app) (Bundaberg)<br />
JESI (location) (Townsville)<br />
Job Fit Systems (customer relationship) (Mackay)<br />
Kadence Group (collaboration) (Mackay)<br />
KixFit (mobile app) (Toowoomba)<br />
Konveen (communication) (Cairns)<br />
MandraIT (hardware + web) (Calliope)<br />
Mogtastic (game) (Cairns)<br />
My Footy Boots (marketplace) (Cairns)<br />
My Water Filter (ecommerce) (Ipswich)<br />
NQ UAV (electronics) (Townsville)<br />
Nupath (education) (Cairns)<br />
OrbStudio (game) (Cairns)<br />
OTrain (education) (Toowoomba)<br />
Oz Apps (mobile app) (Townsville)<br />
PakYak (transportation) (Cairns)<br />
Precision Terrain Solutions (electronics)<br />
(Toowoomba)<br />
Procedures Online (content creation) (Mackay)<br />
QIT Plus (big data) (Mackay)<br />
Relocations2go (desktop app) (Cairns)<br />
Rent Resume (customer relationship)<br />
(Toowoomba)<br />
SafetyCulture (mobile app) (Townsville)<br />
Sakure (desktop app) (Cairns)<br />
Sales VA (marketplace) (Toowoomba)<br />
Sam the Waiter (other) (Cairns)<br />
Scripti (productivity) (Toowoomba)<br />
Second to none Nutrition (ecommerce)<br />
(Townsville)<br />
ShareStuff (marketplace) (Cairns)<br />
ShedProject (infrastructure) (Toowoomba)<br />
Site Specific Software Solutions (mobile app)<br />
(Toowoomba)<br />
Skydronics (drones) (Townsville)<br />
SmartHR Solutions (education) (Mackay)<br />
Snipe (productivity) (Cairns)<br />
Strictly Service (marketplace) (Mackay)<br />
Swarm Farm Robotics (robotics) (Rockhampton)<br />
TenderHound (collaboration) (Cairns)<br />
ThermaCulture (hardware) (Cairns)<br />
Thought Select (mobile app) (Cairns)<br />
Tourback (other) (Ipswich)<br />
UAView (drones) (Cairns)<br />
Upson Downs (drones) (Rockhampton)<br />
Voista (mobile app) (Cairns)<br />
Why Not Tours (recommendations) (Cairns)<br />
WotsLocal (marketplace) (Townsville)<br />
Wow Factor (video) (Townsville)<br />
XY Mapping (drones) (Fraser Coast)<br />
OTHER TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES<br />
4TEL (big data) (Rockhampton)<br />
Acubis (infrastructure) (Mackay)<br />
AgData (analytics) (Toowoomba)<br />
AgTech Toowoomba (hardware) (Toowoomba)<br />
Almost Anything (software) (Rockhampton)<br />
Beeline Technologies (software) (Toowoomba)<br />
Best Practice Software (infrastructure)<br />
(Bundaberg)<br />
BigMate (infrastructure) (Mackay)<br />
BizSpark (Support) (Multiple)<br />
Bold Hues (software) (Cairns)<br />
Circuit Wiz (hardware) (Mackay)<br />
Code Valley (other) (Townsville)<br />
Conetix Web Hosting (hosting) (Ipswich)<br />
D2K (other) (Bundaberg)<br />
DEC-MECH (infrastructure) (Townsville)<br />
DHM Software (software) (Toowoomba)<br />
Eden Tech (software) (Toowoomba)<br />
ESRI (big data) (Cairns)<br />
FarmscanAg (hardware) (Toowoomba)<br />
Fierce Ventures (software) (Townsville)<br />
Hortus (hardware) (Bundaberg)<br />
HoverCam (drones) (Cairns)<br />
IBM (software) (Townsville)<br />
Indigo Web (software) (Toowoomba)<br />
Insyte Solutions (software) (Rockhampton)<br />
IT Connexions (software) (Townsville)<br />
Koolivoo (content creation) (Cairns)<br />
LogiCamms (electronics) (Mackay)<br />
Microair (electronics) (Bundaberg)<br />
Minstaff Survey Pty Ltd (drones) (Toowoomba)<br />
NFA (infrastructure) (Townsville)<br />
Northrup Grummond (hardware) (Ipswich)<br />
Oper8 Springfield (software) (Ipswich)<br />
Phoenix (software) (Toowoomba)<br />
PiDataConsulting (software) (Cairns)<br />
Polaris Data Centre (hosting) (Ipswich)<br />
Precedence (software) (Cairns)<br />
Precision Agriculture (customer relationship)<br />
(Toowoomba)<br />
Rail Innovation Australia (big data)<br />
(Rockhampton)<br />
Real Time Instruments (hardware) (Mackay)<br />
ResPax (big data) (Cairns)<br />
Scan2Convert (productivity) (Bundaberg)<br />
Strategenics (big data) (Toowoomba)<br />
The Bullion Group (other) (Mackay)<br />
TOL Aerospace (aerospace) (Ipswich)<br />
tourstogo.com (software) (Cairns)<br />
WebTraf (hosting) (Bundaberg)<br />
INCUBATION<br />
BlueChilli (seed accelerator) (Sydney)<br />
ilab (seed accelerator) (Brisbane)<br />
QUT Creative Enterprise Australia (Incubation)<br />
(Brisbane)<br />
FUNDING<br />
Auswide Bank (bank) (Bundaberg)<br />
Blackbird Ventures (vc) (Sydney)<br />
Commercialisation Australia (Govt Grant)<br />
(Ipswich)<br />
Future Now (vc) (Townsville)<br />
Go fund me (crowdfunding) (Mackay)<br />
Iceberg Innovation (vc) (Cairns)<br />
Kickstarter (crowdfunding) (Multiple)<br />
NAB Business Banking (bank) (Bundaberg)<br />
12
Pozible (crowdfunding) (Toowoomba)<br />
Sister City Partners (vc) (Townsville)<br />
Techfundr (crowdfunding) (Bundaberg)<br />
TNQ20 (award) (Cairns)<br />
CO-WORKING & HACKERSPACES<br />
Canvas Co-Working (co-working) (Toowoomba)<br />
Hackerspace Toowoomba (Hackerspace)<br />
Hacking and Coding Club JCU (Hackerspace)<br />
(Cairns)<br />
Mackay Maker Space (Hackerspace) (Mackay)<br />
Firestation101 Digital Incubator (Ipswich)<br />
theSpace (co-working) (Cairns)<br />
MEETUPS & EVENTS a<br />
ACRV Robotics Seminar (event) (Mackay)<br />
AGRI Innovation Conference (event) (Mackay)<br />
Agriculture Futures Conference (event) (Mackay)<br />
Australian Computer Society (meetup)<br />
(Rockhampton)<br />
Bundaberg Business Expo (event)<br />
Bundaberg Digital Boardroom (meetup)<br />
Bundaberg Digital Enterprise Program (event)<br />
Cairns Startup & Entrepreneurs Meetup (meetup)<br />
CoCollaborate (event) (Mackay)<br />
Codeathon (event) (Townsville)<br />
CoderDojo (event) (Ipswich)<br />
Crypto Party (event) (Cairns)<br />
Digital Business Week (event) (Bundaberg)<br />
Digital World Futures (event) (Toowoomba)<br />
Dive into digital (event) (Cairns)<br />
Emerging Entrepreneurs (event) (Cairns)<br />
FunGIS (event) (Cairns)<br />
GovHack (event) (Ipswich)<br />
GovHack FNQ (event) (Cairns)<br />
ICT Network Meeting (meetup) (Rockhampton)<br />
Ideas after dark (event) (Cairns)<br />
ilab Regional Roadshow (event) (Mackay)<br />
Innovation Awards (event) (Cairns)<br />
Innovation Festival (event) (Rockhampton)<br />
Innovations Expo (event) (Townsville)<br />
Ipswich Digital Expo (event) (Ipswich)<br />
JCU Robo Club (meetup) (Townsville)<br />
Mackay IT Network (meetup) (Mackay)<br />
MakerSpace (event) (Ipswich)<br />
Meetup Mackay Maker Space (meetup) (Mackay)<br />
Meetup Mackay Start Up (meetup) (Mackay)<br />
Mentor Blaze (event) (Multiple)<br />
Moodle Meet (event) (Bundaberg)<br />
NQ IT Conference (event) (Townsville)<br />
Pitch night (meetup) (Cairns)<br />
a<br />
Note many of these groups and events are not directly<br />
focused on startups, but rather support activities around<br />
digital technology. They are included as an indication<br />
of the level of interest in digital technology, and are<br />
often feeders to people taking the leap into joining or<br />
launching their own startup<br />
Robocup (event) (Multiple)<br />
Robogals (event) (Multiple)<br />
Rowes Bay Sensory Sprint Day (Townsville)<br />
Silicon Beach Cairns (meetup) (Cairns)<br />
Silicon Coast Extracurricular Code School (event)<br />
(Bundaberg)<br />
Software Carpentry (event) (Cairns)<br />
Startup Apprentice (event) (Townsville)<br />
Startup Basecamp (event) (Cairns)<br />
Startup Ipswich Meetup (meetup) (Ipswich)<br />
Startup Lab (event) (Cairns)<br />
Startup Weekend (event) (Multiple)<br />
Tablelands Innovation Expo (event) (Cairns)<br />
TEDX Events (event) (Bundaberg)<br />
TEDX Rockhampton (event) (Rockhampton)<br />
Toowoomba IT Community Group (event)<br />
Toowoomba Startup Group (meetup)<br />
Townsville ICT Business Network (meetup)<br />
Townsville Linux Users Group (meetup)<br />
Townsville Smart City Collaborative Workshops<br />
(event)<br />
Townsville Startup Meetup (meetup) (Townsville)<br />
Tropical Innovation Forum (event) (Cairns)<br />
TSBE Events (event) (Toowoomba)<br />
Young ICT Explorers (event) (Townsville)<br />
Young Professionals Mackay (meetup) (Mackay)<br />
EDUCATION & SUPPORT<br />
1300WebPro (support) (Toowoomba)<br />
Aus. Industry (Govt) (Multiple)<br />
Biztopia (support) (Ipswich)<br />
Bundaberg Regional Council (Govt) (Bundaberg)<br />
Burnett Heads Business Group (support)<br />
(Bundaberg)<br />
Cairns Regional Council (Govt) (Cairns)<br />
Capricorn Enterprise (support) (Rockhampton)<br />
Capricorn ICT Network (support) (Rockhampton)<br />
Central Queensland University (University)<br />
(Multiple)<br />
ClubTT (support) (Cairns)<br />
Datazell Systems (Govt) (Rockhampton)<br />
Department of State Development (Govt)<br />
(Multiple)<br />
Digital Cairns (support) (Cairns)<br />
Department of Science, Information Technology,<br />
and Innovation (Govt) (Multiple)<br />
e-flux (support) (Bundaberg)<br />
Entrepreneurs Association (support)<br />
(Toowoomba)<br />
Fox & Buoy Marketing (support) (Mackay)<br />
Grains Research Development Centre (Govt)<br />
(Toowoomba)<br />
Green Valley Digital (support) (Bundaberg)<br />
Hurlock’s IP Group (support) (Townsville)<br />
iAssist (support) (Rockhampton)<br />
Inventions Pathways (support) (Townsville)<br />
Ipswich City Council (Govt) (Ipswich)<br />
James Cook University (University) (Multiple)<br />
Mackay Creatives (support) (Mackay)<br />
Mackay Regional Council (Govt) (Mackay)<br />
Managed Solutions (support) (Ipswich)<br />
Micomm (support) (Rockhampton)<br />
NBN (support) (Multiple)<br />
Pioneer Valley Business Group (support)<br />
(Mackay)<br />
Queensland University of Technology<br />
(University) (Brisbane)<br />
Rail Manufacturing CRC (support)<br />
(Rockhampton)<br />
Regional Development Australia (Govt)<br />
(Multiple)<br />
Resource Industry Network (support) (Mackay)<br />
Roboclub JCU (education) (Cairns)<br />
Rockhampton Regional Council (Govt)<br />
(Rockhampton)<br />
Smart City College (education) (Bundaberg)<br />
Social Motion (support) (Mackay)<br />
Splash Ads (support) (Bundaberg)<br />
Startup Mackay (support) (Mackay)<br />
Startup Toowoomba (support) (Toowoomba)<br />
Startup Townsville (support) (Townsville)<br />
TAFE S.W. (education) (Toowoomba)<br />
TJ Micro (support) (Cairns)<br />
Toowoomba Regional Council (Govt)<br />
Townsville City Council (Govt) (Townsville)<br />
UniSA (University) (Adelaide)<br />
University of Queensland (Brisbane)<br />
UTAS (university) (Hobart)<br />
Wide Bay Kids Community Inc. (education)<br />
(Bundaberg)<br />
Wide Reach Social Media (support) (Bundaberg)<br />
13
REGIONAL SHOWCASE<br />
The map below shows an overview of all tech startups located in Regional Queensland. They have been positioned based on the latitude and longitude of their<br />
headquarters, and are sized by current staff level estimates owing to a lack of market cap data.<br />
Cairns<br />
Staff Size<br />
30-50<br />
11-30<br />
5-10<br />
2-5<br />
1<br />
Townsville<br />
Mackay<br />
Rockhampton<br />
Emerald<br />
Gladstone<br />
Calliope<br />
Bundaberg<br />
Hervey Bay<br />
Toowoomba<br />
Ipswich<br />
14
REGIONAL COMPARISON<br />
The table below offers benchmarked summary statistics for each of the seven regions participating in this report.<br />
REGION<br />
NO.<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
NO.<br />
ESTABLISHED<br />
TECH<br />
TOTAL<br />
FUNDING<br />
COWORKING<br />
SPACES<br />
TOTAL<br />
EMPLOYED IN<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
POPULATION<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong><br />
DENSITY a<br />
Toowoomba<br />
12<br />
6<br />
$20K<br />
1<br />
60+<br />
162K<br />
1/16K<br />
Ipswich<br />
5<br />
6<br />
$0<br />
1 b<br />
20+<br />
190K<br />
1/38K<br />
Bundaberg<br />
4<br />
6<br />
$0<br />
-<br />
15+<br />
95K<br />
1/24K<br />
Rockhampton<br />
7<br />
2<br />
$0<br />
-<br />
15+<br />
85K<br />
1/12K<br />
Mackay<br />
8<br />
6<br />
$1.4M<br />
-<br />
20+<br />
123K<br />
1/15K<br />
Townsville<br />
12<br />
4<br />
$6.7M<br />
-<br />
80+<br />
190K<br />
1/16K<br />
Cairns<br />
31<br />
6<br />
$1.4M<br />
1<br />
120+<br />
159K<br />
1/5K<br />
Regional<br />
Queensland<br />
Summary*<br />
83<br />
36<br />
$10.4M<br />
3<br />
~450<br />
1.8M<br />
1/20K<br />
*Number of Regional Queensland Startups is greater than the total of the seven regions (79) as we identified several startups just outside the regions.<br />
a<br />
Startup Density refers to the number of people per startup. Boulder, Colorado for example, has a Startup Density of 1 startup per 235 people.<br />
b<br />
The Ipswich Fire Station101 Digital Incubator was announced in November 2015 and is not yet open.<br />
15
TOOWOOMBA<br />
OStaff<br />
OGroup Mgmt<br />
Toowoomba startups [white], established tech<br />
companies [yellow] and related companies<br />
[pink], along with their founders and employees<br />
[red]. Links show professional relationships<br />
via Linkedin.<br />
William McHugh<br />
Royal Australian Navy<br />
Shane Aldridge<br />
Stuart Pocknee<br />
Working Holidays Down Under<br />
Department of Agriculture<br />
and Fisheries (Queensland)<br />
IT Works<br />
Site Specific<br />
Software Solutions<br />
solve gmbh, Switzerland<br />
Shane Ridley<br />
Brendan McCann<br />
Ben Blanch<br />
viana provoft<br />
Mark Venz<br />
Migration<br />
Outsource<br />
Personnel<br />
Rabobank<br />
Toowoomba Regional Council<br />
Timothy Duffield<br />
Easternwell Group<br />
Otrain<br />
Grand Domain<br />
RollCall Global<br />
CPE Rural<br />
Joan Callan<br />
Brendan Skerman<br />
Geoff Tyrrell<br />
NTT DATA<br />
Business<br />
Solutions<br />
Jazzmin Donald<br />
University of Queensland<br />
Andreas Bollinger<br />
Royal Sunday<br />
International AG,<br />
Switzerland<br />
Diamond Recruitment<br />
Insight Informatics<br />
Carl Baxter<br />
Unisys Australia<br />
John Bowden<br />
Murray Grey Beef<br />
Cattle Society Ltd<br />
Stephen Dummett<br />
Temando<br />
Nick Darvey<br />
Lance Skerman<br />
Nathan Ashton<br />
Toby O'Brien<br />
Jacinta Crothers<br />
Education Queensland<br />
Ambush Security Services<br />
Brisbane<br />
City Council<br />
Grundys Agtronics<br />
Queensland Health<br />
FarmscanAG<br />
Chris Mills<br />
Pawel Pohorski<br />
Mark Rohde<br />
Strategenics<br />
Gen3Media<br />
Kerrie-Lyn Rae<br />
AgData Australia<br />
Strategic Airlines<br />
Greg Skerman<br />
Francis Gacenga<br />
The Pipeline Authority Heidi<br />
Dargusch<br />
Christian Outreach<br />
College Toowoomba<br />
Amber Group<br />
Thales<br />
Liam Dawson<br />
Michael Peterson<br />
Alison Bengough<br />
Sam Faulkner<br />
Nathan Ashton<br />
Lincoln Hahn<br />
AngloGold Ashanti<br />
Ajilon<br />
Officeworks<br />
Dave Lewis<br />
Evolution Mining<br />
3D Mine<br />
Surveying<br />
International<br />
Kagara Limited<br />
Bechtel<br />
Corporation<br />
Mark Jocumsen<br />
Smorgon Steel<br />
PricewaterhouseCoopers<br />
Pratical Computer Services<br />
Contract Software<br />
Development<br />
Auran Start<br />
University of Southern Queensland<br />
Golf Computer Systems<br />
Civica Limited<br />
Australian Steel Institute<br />
JTA Australia<br />
Tri-Soft<br />
Cascade Australia<br />
Minstaff Survey<br />
Simon Dennis<br />
Lucas Flumm<br />
Department of Communities,<br />
Child Safety and Disability<br />
Services (Qld)<br />
Procare<br />
Science Foundation Ireland<br />
Thiess<br />
Matt Williams<br />
Ezzy Haensch<br />
Goldfields<br />
Anglo American<br />
FKG Civil Contractors<br />
Accenture<br />
Coopers & Lybrand<br />
Greg Stamper<br />
Long Shadows<br />
Jake Laing<br />
Startup Weekend<br />
Leanne Griffin<br />
Faeka El Sayed<br />
Scripti<br />
LKA Consulting<br />
Xstrata Zinc<br />
CBH Resources<br />
Startup<br />
Toowoomba<br />
Natasha Wells<br />
Leanne Griffin Engagement<br />
Multicultural<br />
Development<br />
Association<br />
BSI Learning<br />
Toowoomba<br />
Fleet Direct<br />
Parnngurr<br />
Aboriginal<br />
Corporation<br />
Len Patti Motors<br />
OAQ Group<br />
Newlands Civil<br />
Construction<br />
Site Specific<br />
Software Solutions<br />
Kempsey Sheds<br />
and Carports<br />
Cirrosonic<br />
Barry Knights<br />
Genesis Entertainment<br />
Xerospace Australasia<br />
Austrek Air Charter<br />
Kix Fit<br />
David Masefield<br />
Noel Kelly<br />
Mike<br />
Wagstaff<br />
Shed Products Direct<br />
CGI Australia<br />
Lush Hair and Beauty<br />
Armstrong Auto Group<br />
Shedproject<br />
Redjet Aviation<br />
Noel Kelly<br />
Grace Halligan<br />
Global Store Solutions<br />
Robert Gilmour<br />
Toowoomba Holden<br />
Hummingbird<br />
"Steel Sheds in Australia"<br />
online magazine<br />
Wagstaff Group<br />
The VTS IT Group<br />
Genesis<br />
Investments<br />
Group<br />
Agri Labour Australia<br />
Darren Smith<br />
Precision Terrain<br />
Brown Managing<br />
Solutions<br />
Rent Resume<br />
Laura Fealy<br />
Gavin Henningsen<br />
National Australia Bank<br />
Canvas Co-Working<br />
DEEDI<br />
Queensland Fire<br />
and Rescue Service<br />
Precision<br />
Agriculture<br />
Sales VA<br />
Joy Taylor<br />
Andrew Whitlock<br />
Emma Monro<br />
Bank of Queensland<br />
Annie McKeiver<br />
Hudson<br />
Casey Brown<br />
James Deck<br />
Tim Neale<br />
Peta Neale<br />
Emma Monro<br />
SALESVA<br />
Startup<br />
SalesVA is a one-year-old productivity startup. They provide an online<br />
productivity tool that enables sales professionals to cut Customer<br />
Relationship Management (CRM) administration time, enabling sales<br />
teams to be more productive. A team of virtual CRM assistants handles<br />
the necessary administrative requirements, provide post appointment<br />
follow up assistance and send training podcasts following each<br />
appointment. SalesVA integrates with all major CRM packages.<br />
OTRAIN<br />
Startup<br />
oTrain is a four-year-old online training startup. They provide the<br />
infrastructure and backend support to enable people to build and<br />
create and maintain an online training presence. With five products,<br />
10 staff and a growing global client list, oTrain is on track to disrupt<br />
global training.<br />
16
TOOWOOMBA<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
12<br />
3D Industries (3D Printing)<br />
AgriLabour (marketplace)<br />
Global Store Solutions (marketplace)<br />
Hummingbird (drones)<br />
KixFit (mobile app)<br />
oTrain (education)<br />
Precision Terrain Solutions (AgTech)<br />
Rent Resume (rental)<br />
SalesVA (productivity)<br />
Scripti (education)<br />
ShedProject (marketplace)<br />
Site Specific Software Solutions (mobile app)<br />
POPULATION<br />
GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT TOTAL FUNDING<br />
3.4% of Queensland 57 2.8% of Queensland 50 0.2% of Regional Queensland<br />
162K $8.1B $20K<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S BY MARKET FOCUS:<br />
TOP 5 MARKETS<br />
Agriculture<br />
Education & Training<br />
Construction<br />
Manufacturing<br />
Information Media<br />
Other<br />
TECH <strong>ECOSYSTEM</strong> SUMMARY<br />
As Queensland’s largest inland city, Toowoomba<br />
is the hub of the fertile Darling Downs region<br />
that has resulted in a city with extensive<br />
manufacturing, education, health, retail and<br />
professional services. Toowoomba offers easy<br />
access to Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine<br />
Coasts. The recent opening of the Brisbane West<br />
Wellcamp Airport is the first major greenfield<br />
public airport development in Australia since<br />
Melbourne Airport opened in 1970. It is also the<br />
only privately funded major airport in the country.<br />
Established technology companies and<br />
supporting entities that play an important role<br />
in the Toowoomba ecosystem include; Precision<br />
Agriculture (AgTech), Strategenics (Big Data),<br />
ilab (Incubator), FarmscanAg (AgTech), and<br />
AgData (Australia’s largest agricultural software<br />
company). Harnessing the experience of these<br />
established organisations to grow and expand<br />
the ecosystem is a natural path. Developing a<br />
strong agricultural base is also a natural path for<br />
Toowoomba to develop regional expertise.<br />
ISSUES TOP 5<br />
Collaboration & Networking<br />
Infrastructure<br />
Funding<br />
Raise Awareness<br />
Education<br />
31%<br />
31%<br />
13%<br />
13%<br />
13%<br />
Still in its relative tech ecosystem infancy, a<br />
number of grass roots community driven activities<br />
have boosted community engagement and<br />
participation throughout the startup ecosystem.<br />
With the Canvas co-working space opening in<br />
August 2015, a local Hackerspace opened in<br />
2013, having held the first Startup Weekend in<br />
2014, GovHack program, and the regular Startup<br />
Toowoomba organised tech specific meetups,<br />
the outlook is bright if current initiatives are<br />
maintained and supported by all members of the<br />
tech community.<br />
Toowoomba has the added benefit of having<br />
the headquarters of the University of Southern<br />
Queensland, resulting in strong STEM talent flow<br />
into the region. Its relative proximity to Brisbane<br />
was identified as a core enabler for future growth.<br />
The following technology related events and<br />
meetups were identified, and are presented<br />
according to their importance to the ecosystem:<br />
Toowoomba Startup Group Open, Toowoomba<br />
Startup Group Meetup, Startup Weekend GovHack<br />
and AgWorld.<br />
ISSUES AND ACTIONS<br />
Toowoomba participants clearly identified that the<br />
lack of consistency with the National Broadband<br />
Network (NBN) was a major inhibitor to growth<br />
with sporadic rollout missing key sectors of the<br />
region. The lack of an established Angel network<br />
in the region meant founders had to look to<br />
Brisbane for funding. Participants also identified<br />
issues with attracting talent to move.<br />
ACTIONS TOP 5<br />
Hub / Coworking Space<br />
Collaboration & Networking<br />
Govt Incentive - Accelerators<br />
Highlight Success Stories<br />
Education Program<br />
38%<br />
19%<br />
19%<br />
13%<br />
6%<br />
It is estimated that the 12 startups operating out<br />
of Toowoomba were employing 60+ people.<br />
A selection of notable persons identified are as<br />
follows; David Masefield (Founder, Co-Working,<br />
Meetup), Leanne Griffin (meetup), Shane<br />
Ridley (Founder), Chris Mills (Established Tech<br />
Founder), Emma Monro (Founder), Joy Taylor<br />
(Co-Working), Tim Neale (Established Tech<br />
Founder) and Natasha Wells (Founder).<br />
17
IPSWICH<br />
Ipswich startups [yellow], established<br />
tech companies [white], and related<br />
companies [pink], along with their<br />
founders and employees [blue].<br />
Links show professional<br />
relationships via Linkedin.<br />
NextEd<br />
Paul Pisasale<br />
Australian Army<br />
Ipswich City Council<br />
Matthew Schultz<br />
Jamin Andrews<br />
Tim Butler<br />
Broadband Today Alliance<br />
River City Labs<br />
Conetix Web Hosting<br />
CurvyDames<br />
Defence Materiel Organisation<br />
Paul Wyatt<br />
David McCallum<br />
Hawaiki of Oceania<br />
Peta Ellis<br />
Eduhealth Plus<br />
Anna Daniel<br />
Springfield Land Corporation<br />
Lisa New<br />
Tourback<br />
Polaris Data Centre<br />
Taylor W. Lawrence<br />
ClinicalHub<br />
Chris Jenkins<br />
Raytheon<br />
Ian Irving<br />
My Water Filter<br />
David C. Wajsgras<br />
Thales<br />
Supercell Media<br />
Northrup Grummond<br />
Rodney Archdall<br />
Andrew Whannell<br />
FIRESTATION101 DIGITAL INCUBATOR<br />
Incubator<br />
EDUHEALTH PLUS<br />
Startup<br />
To provide a platform for the future, Ipswich City Council (ICC)<br />
is delivering Australia’s first fully funded start-up incubator and<br />
accelerator. ICC is currently building the FireStation101 venue in the<br />
Ipswich CBD and has started engaging the start-up community in<br />
preparation for a March 2016 launch. The hub is seen as the key step<br />
in the digital transformation of Ipswich & the Western Corridor, and<br />
aims to catalyse the formation of tech startups in Ipswich and assist<br />
with the development of a robust local ecoystem.<br />
EduHealth Plus is a for-profit social enterprise that is dedicated to<br />
delivering innovative evidence-based preventative health interventions<br />
and better solutions to social problems and unmet community needs.<br />
EduHealth Plus released the worlds first nutrition pedometer in spring<br />
of 2015 and has secured a pending patent for the hardware.<br />
18
IPSWICH<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
5<br />
Clinical Hub (health app)<br />
EduHealth+ (wearable + big data)<br />
MyWaterFilter (marketplace)<br />
Tourback (unknown)<br />
1 x Stealth Startup (not disclosed)<br />
POPULATION<br />
GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT<br />
TOTAL FUNDING<br />
4.0% of Queensland 57 2.5% of Queensland 51 0% of Regional Queensland<br />
190K $7.1B $0K<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S BY MARKET FOCUS:<br />
TOP 4 MARKETS<br />
Health Care<br />
Communication<br />
Retail Trade<br />
Entertainment<br />
TECH <strong>ECOSYSTEM</strong> SUMMARY<br />
Ipswich is one of the fastest growing cities<br />
in Australia, with population growth rates<br />
(23% since 2007) outpacing the majority of<br />
Queensland. Recently Ipswich was named as one<br />
of the Top 7 most intelligent global communities<br />
for 2015 by the Intelligent Community Forum<br />
(ICF) in New York 17 , in part due to its digital<br />
training programs in the community and its<br />
acceleration of the NBN rollout.<br />
However, the startup ecosystem in Ipswich is still<br />
at its very beginning, with a number of initiatives<br />
recently announced seeking to change this<br />
situation. Ambitious plans to build a new Digital<br />
Incubator modelled on the well known Chicago<br />
entrepreneurial hub 1871, have recently been<br />
announced with strong industry and government<br />
support. Proactive support from the Ipswich City<br />
Council in facilitating this project represents<br />
a bold move to claim a piece of Queensland’s<br />
digital future.<br />
While Ipswich is well connected to Brisbane,<br />
the local university’s strong and growing<br />
reputation in technology needs to translate into<br />
attracting established talent to stay in the region.<br />
Masterplanned communities like Springfield<br />
Lakes have been ambitiously designed to<br />
facilitate the capture of young technologically<br />
savvy individuals to the region. An established<br />
technology base of aerospace companies offers<br />
distinct possibilities, yet no aerospace startups<br />
were identified in our research. This is possibly<br />
due to the relationships required to engage with<br />
the Department of Defence (RAAF Amberley).<br />
Harnessing this local source of talent is a vital<br />
opportunity for Ipswich to develop a robust tech<br />
ecosystem.<br />
It is estimated that Startups operating out of<br />
Ipswich were employing over 20 people in<br />
total. A selection of notable persons identified<br />
in a centrality ranking are as follows; Matthew<br />
Schultz (Local Govt), Paul Pisasale (Mayor),<br />
Peta Ellis (meetup), Anna Daniels (Founder),<br />
David McCallum (Founder), Andrew Whannell<br />
(Founder), Simon Victory (Founder) and Jamin<br />
Andrews (Founder).<br />
Ipswich has a lack of tech related meetups, with<br />
its proximity to Brisbane being both a help and<br />
a hindrance in the matter. Despite still being in<br />
its infancy, the Startup Ipswich Meetup group<br />
already has more than 45 members. For future<br />
growth it is important to leverage this and<br />
continue to support and facilitate its continuation.<br />
It is noted that Ipswich’s close proximity to<br />
Brisbane may influence the data collected, as<br />
there is evidence of Ipswich residents who are<br />
founders or involved in startups based in Brisbane<br />
and other parts of South East Queensland.<br />
Supporting entities that play an important role<br />
in the Ipswich ecosystem include; Polaris Data<br />
Centre, Conetix Web Hosting, Ipswich City<br />
Council and University of Southern Queensland<br />
(USQ). USQ campuses in Ipswich and Springfield<br />
provide a large flow of talent into the region.<br />
Harnessing this and convincing talent to stay and<br />
found companies was viewed as a major issue<br />
facing the growth of the local ecosystem.<br />
ISSUES AND ACTIONS<br />
Ipswich participants identified that attracting and<br />
retaining local STEM talent was a priority issue<br />
hampering the ecosystem owing to the proximity<br />
to Brisbane. A lack of clear pathways for local<br />
startup funding was evident. The lack of local<br />
mentors in the area for tech startups was also seen<br />
as an inhibiting factor.<br />
ISSUES TOP 5<br />
Talent & Skills<br />
Collaboration & Networking<br />
Funding<br />
Raise Awareness<br />
Infrastructure<br />
ACTIONS TOP 5<br />
Hub / Coworking Space<br />
Education Program<br />
Govt Provide Supportive Role<br />
Local Angel / VC Group<br />
Brand / Culture<br />
33%<br />
19%<br />
19%<br />
14%<br />
5%<br />
33%<br />
24%<br />
14%<br />
10%<br />
10%<br />
The opening of the Ipswich Fire Station101<br />
digital incubator was viewed as vital to the<br />
establishment of the ecosystem that would assist<br />
with networking, funding, collaboration and<br />
identification. The continuation of Ipswich’s<br />
community education programs was also seen to<br />
help boost talent inflow to the region and start to<br />
increase the rate of entrepreneurship in the area.<br />
19
BUNDABERG<br />
Bundaberg startups [pink], established<br />
tech companies [light blue], and<br />
related companies [red], along with<br />
their founders and employees [blue].<br />
Links show professional relationships<br />
via Linkedin.<br />
Greenwood Signs<br />
Michael O'Brien Catering<br />
Green Valley Digital<br />
Pro-Cam Post<br />
Jay Daniells<br />
The Reporter<br />
Jay Daniells Web<br />
Gunther Village<br />
Diggy<br />
O'Neil Software<br />
Phil Ainsworth<br />
Synerty Jabiru<br />
Microair<br />
David Withers<br />
QBuild Burnett Office<br />
Bundaberg South Early Learning Centre<br />
Growcom<br />
Global Fresh Connect<br />
amajuba<br />
CropTech<br />
Hybrid Synergy Production Systems<br />
Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust<br />
Villarica<br />
Bargara Brewing Company<br />
Saipem<br />
Biofilm Crop Protection<br />
Jack Milbank<br />
Wiley-VCH<br />
Nur Dean<br />
AHA Viticulture<br />
Rebecca Doe<br />
Sharon Tolley<br />
University of Erlangen<br />
Anthony Dove<br />
Hortus<br />
Microair Avionics<br />
Deep Woods Estate<br />
Brendan Macpherson<br />
Eddy Dunn<br />
Val Burbano<br />
Jamie Zapp<br />
National Centre for Rural Greenhouse Gas Research<br />
Brittany Duncan<br />
New England Weeds Authority<br />
Jeanette Nock<br />
Dr. Melinda McHenry<br />
Steven Greenslade<br />
Bundaberg Region Rising Foundation<br />
University of New England<br />
Architectural Models<br />
William Durnford<br />
iTEL Community Telco<br />
City of Ipswich<br />
GHD<br />
Central Queensland University<br />
Tony Pisani<br />
Unisys Australia<br />
Matthew Whitehead<br />
Business Bundaberg<br />
Bundaberg Region Rising<br />
ManpowerGroup<br />
Alexander Dooley<br />
HCN - (Health Communication Network)<br />
Riverina Stockfeeds<br />
Mitchell Grotherr<br />
Mark Briggs<br />
Data#3<br />
Tammy Street<br />
Bank of Queensland<br />
Craig Hodges<br />
The BPA Group<br />
Daniel Reeves<br />
Best Practice Software<br />
Lorraine Pyefinch<br />
Neil McPhillips<br />
Benjamin Taylor<br />
Engineers Australia<br />
Engineers Without Borders Australia<br />
John Russell<br />
Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments, USQ<br />
Jordan Maultby<br />
Faculty of Engineering and Surveying, USQ<br />
Australian Digital Futures Institute, USQ<br />
Bundaberg Regional Council<br />
SynerGeTech<br />
Phibak Versatiles<br />
Burnett Shire Council<br />
Wide Bay Australia<br />
Buzz Broadband<br />
Century Yuasa Batteries<br />
Hewlett Packard<br />
EDS Australia<br />
Suncorp<br />
Chris Batchler<br />
Frank Pyefinch<br />
FNQ Security<br />
Bradley Thomas<br />
Salmat<br />
Shane Hannant<br />
St Luke's Anglican School<br />
Clint Lester<br />
D2K<br />
Dale Foster<br />
Divi Resorts<br />
Kevin Rasmussen<br />
Conrad Jupiters<br />
Phil Baker<br />
Intritec<br />
Webtraf..<br />
Pyefinch Software..<br />
Telstra Business Center<br />
SP Exports<br />
Stanzah IT<br />
Jeffrey Smidt<br />
Rhonda Whiteside<br />
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks<br />
Yale Morgan<br />
Kate McCloskey<br />
Tiran Irani<br />
Matthew Drane<br />
Cameron Ellacott<br />
Aeon IT<br />
e-flux<br />
Caked On<br />
Gymfinity Gymnastics<br />
Adam Gilmour<br />
Joshua Hicks<br />
WebTraf<br />
Wide Bay Volunteers<br />
David Finnish<br />
Paul Fox<br />
John McLean<br />
IVF Bundaberg<br />
Friendly Society Private Hospital<br />
QI Limited<br />
SP Exports<br />
Scan2Convert<br />
A Few Extra Bucks<br />
Innov8<br />
Shalom College<br />
Simon de Bomford<br />
Gilmour Space Corp<br />
James Gilmour<br />
INTRITEC<br />
Startup<br />
Intritec is a software development company that has been providing<br />
customised filemaker solutions for businesses for 5 years. Intritec has<br />
developed a number of flagship products such as Packit, a customised<br />
management system for large fruit and vegetable processing factories<br />
and TrackEd, an application built specifically for schools to help<br />
collate and track student progress and provide software to help schools<br />
make use of big data. Intritec specialises in innovative systems that<br />
bridge the divide between traditional logistical problems and modern<br />
mobile based solutions.<br />
BEST PRACTICE SOFTWARE<br />
Established Technology Company<br />
Best Practice Software is an established technology company<br />
employing over 85 people with 50 staff at its headquarters in<br />
Bundaberg, and other staff located in Sydney, Brisbane and Hamilton<br />
(NZ). It develops, markets and supports quality software products for<br />
Australasian medical practices.<br />
Bp Clinical is an SQL application that is designed to improve<br />
efficiencies within the medical practice. Bp Management is a billing<br />
and appointment book module that syncs with the Clinical software<br />
application. Bp SMS automates doctors appointment reminders.<br />
20
BUNDABERG<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
4<br />
A Few Extra Bucks (marketplace)<br />
Caked On (marketplace)<br />
Gilmour Space Corp (aerospace)<br />
Intritec (software)<br />
POPULATION<br />
GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT<br />
TOTAL FUNDING<br />
2.0% of Queensland 57 1.6% of Queensland 52 0% of Regional Queensland<br />
95K $4.4B $0K<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S BY MARKET FOCUS:<br />
TOP 4 MARKETS<br />
Agriculture<br />
Accommodation & Food<br />
Transport<br />
Education<br />
TECH <strong>ECOSYSTEM</strong> SUMMARY<br />
Bundaberg is situated approximately four hours<br />
drive or a 45-minute flight north of Brisbane.<br />
Major industry clusters include healthcare,<br />
agriculture, construction and manufacturing,<br />
along with major campuses of Central<br />
Queensland University and Institute of Technical<br />
and Further Education (TAFE). The city’s<br />
population is approximately 100,000 people.<br />
The Bundaberg startup ecosystem is at an<br />
embryonic stage. As of July 2015, there are<br />
no startup specific meetups. Previous efforts<br />
to launch a Bundaberg technology expo were<br />
merged to a wider business expo in light of low<br />
demand. The Bundaberg Digital Boardroom, and<br />
supporting “Switched on Bundaberg” initiative,<br />
provide a forum for businesses to highlight the<br />
importance of high quality broadband access and<br />
promoting digital productivity throughout the<br />
region. Bundaberg Regional Council has also<br />
been proactive in driving digital engagement and<br />
in hosting numerous technology related events<br />
and forums.<br />
These initiatives have not had a particular focus<br />
on promoting the regional startup culture, and<br />
there is currently no central space available for<br />
startups to co-work, network and collaborate.<br />
Of pressing concern is that of Central<br />
Queensland University closing its ICT course in<br />
Bundaberg. Research suggests that almost every<br />
successful tech cluster has a local technical<br />
university to organically generate and retain<br />
talent within the region. 18 It is extremely difficult<br />
to import enough talent to fuel a rapidly growing<br />
tech cluster.<br />
It is estimated that the 4 startups operating out<br />
of Bundaberg were employing 15+ people.<br />
A selection of notable persons identified in a<br />
centrality ranking are as follows; Phil Baker<br />
(Founder), Andrew Beckenhauer (Local Govt),<br />
Matthew Drane (Founder), Jack Millbank<br />
(Established AgTech), Frank Pyefinch<br />
(Established Founder), Ann Moffat (Education),<br />
and Ben Taylor (Education).<br />
There is a strong base of established technology<br />
companies operating out of the Bundaberg<br />
region.<br />
Best Practice Software, founded by Frank<br />
Pyefinch is one of Australia’s largest medical<br />
software organisations with over 50 employees<br />
alone in Bundaberg. Hortus, founded by<br />
Jack Millbank, is an innovative AgTech<br />
company employing over 25 people in the<br />
region. Matthew Drane is an accomplished<br />
serial entrepreneur, and his businesses in the<br />
technology industry based in Bundaberg have<br />
created an estimated 100+ jobs.<br />
Other supporting entities include Wide Bay<br />
Volunteers (Education), Bundaberg Regional<br />
Council (Local Govt), AusIndustry (Federal<br />
Govt), WebTraf (Software), and Central<br />
Queensland University.<br />
ISSUES & ACTIONS<br />
Bundaberg participants identified that raising<br />
awareness of technology startups was a<br />
critical factor to increase participation in the<br />
startup sector. It was perceived that a lack of<br />
understanding of technology in the region was<br />
driving talent away. The low number of students<br />
studying technology related subjects in the<br />
region, combined with the pull of mature startup<br />
ecosystems in major cities, presents a challenge<br />
for retaining regional talent. Participants<br />
identified the lack of local STEM talent as a<br />
critical issue preventing the establishment of a<br />
ISSUES TOP 5<br />
Raise Awareness<br />
Education<br />
Infrastructure<br />
Funding<br />
Talent & Skills<br />
ACTIONS TOP 5<br />
Govt Incentive - Infrastructure<br />
Education Program<br />
Highlight Success Stories<br />
Form Leadership Group<br />
Collaboration & Networking<br />
22%<br />
20%<br />
18%<br />
18%<br />
12%<br />
24%<br />
13%<br />
13%<br />
11%<br />
11%<br />
strong startup ecosystem. Poor NBN coverage<br />
was also impacting the speed of uptake of new<br />
technology and therefore turning potential<br />
entrepreneurs away.<br />
Participants suggested that highlighting the<br />
success stories of established tech companies, in<br />
conjunction with a collaborative, entrepreneurial<br />
culture, would drive significant interest in the<br />
region and the startup sector. A central resource<br />
for funding options for tech companies was<br />
seen as a quick win that would bring immediate<br />
value.<br />
21
ROCKHAMPTON<br />
Rockhampton startups and thier founders<br />
[yellow], established tech companies<br />
[white], and related companies [blue],<br />
along with their founders and employees<br />
[red]. Links show relationships via<br />
Linkedin.<br />
Derel Wust<br />
4tel<br />
WR Grace<br />
Terry McCosker<br />
Carbon Link<br />
Resource Consulting Services<br />
North Rockhampton State High School<br />
Education Queensland<br />
Kerr Solutions<br />
Matthew Bright<br />
Callan Kucharski<br />
Tanya Spence<br />
Jordan Brown<br />
Mango 4 Office Technology<br />
Jason Iassist-<br />
Tammy Knobel<br />
Coles<br />
Sam Beahan<br />
Gemcom Software<br />
International<br />
Royal Melbourne Institute<br />
of Technology<br />
Department Education<br />
and Training Queensland<br />
Colleen Cooling<br />
Data#3<br />
iAssist<br />
Ian Weigh Toyota<br />
Mark Clifford<br />
BitPlex<br />
Richard Chappell<br />
Flomat Pty Ltd<br />
Pointon and Howard Racing<br />
University of Agricultural<br />
Science, Bangalore, India<br />
Nanjappa Ashwath<br />
University of the Sunshine Coast<br />
CQ Region DETE<br />
Androgogic<br />
PeopleSoft Wiki<br />
Lincoln University New Zealand<br />
Jason Spence<br />
NSW Department of<br />
Education and Communities<br />
Phil Martin<br />
IT Consultancy<br />
Queensland Investment Corporation<br />
Atlas Copco<br />
CSIRO<br />
Swanwick Murray Roche<br />
Jason Cooper<br />
Flexco<br />
BMA<br />
Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd<br />
Qld Chapter of SAGE-AU<br />
Canonical Ltd.<br />
Debian<br />
Plugged In Software<br />
101 Business Group<br />
Ronald Kumar<br />
Australasia Scales<br />
CQ University<br />
CQ University<br />
Queensland Ambulance Service<br />
Stanwell Corporation Limited<br />
BHP Australia Coal<br />
Rockhampton<br />
Regional<br />
Council<br />
Dialog<br />
University of Southern Queensland<br />
Colin Greensill and Associates<br />
Prue Howard<br />
Craig Stewart<br />
Davina Roberts<br />
Central Queensland University<br />
Colin Greensill<br />
Cindy Van De Wetering<br />
Fiona Marshall<br />
Praj Basnet<br />
Dave Swain<br />
Simon Attwell<br />
I-view<br />
Jeni Richardson<br />
Gerard Ilott<br />
David Patterson<br />
HeartKids QLD<br />
SPARQ Solutions<br />
Peter Vanheck<br />
Consulting One<br />
CQUniversity English Language Centre<br />
Katherine Christopher<br />
EnviroSource<br />
Ecosure<br />
Christine Bell<br />
Proposal Catalyst<br />
ETSA Utilities<br />
GamePlan<br />
QAL<br />
Insyte Solutions<br />
YourTutor<br />
MineSched Software<br />
International<br />
Centre for Railway Engineering<br />
Peter Pledger<br />
Chris Bosomworth<br />
Colin Cole<br />
QR<br />
CRC for Rail Innovation<br />
HUMBUG<br />
Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries<br />
Agrifood Skills International Fellowship<br />
Farmers Centre<br />
ABB Industry<br />
St Ursula's College<br />
Linux.conf.au 2002<br />
Queensland Police Service<br />
YouthInvest<br />
Australian Institute for Commercialisation<br />
Canonical<br />
Brad Marshall<br />
Helen Newell<br />
Mackenzie Hansler<br />
Chemarkets Limited<br />
St Ursula's College<br />
APN News & Media<br />
Joyful Communications<br />
Department of Employment,<br />
Economic Development and Innovation<br />
WIN Corporation<br />
Sarah-Joy Pierce<br />
Kylie Radel PhD<br />
Stage & Audio<br />
exceler8<br />
Generate PR<br />
Peter Wolfs<br />
Roy Pidgeon<br />
Charles Darwin University<br />
IBM<br />
Queensland University<br />
of Technology<br />
Kieren Jamieson<br />
EDS<br />
Defence Science and<br />
Technology Organisation<br />
University of Wisconsin Madison<br />
Curtin University of Technology<br />
University of Queensland<br />
Cindy Wittmann<br />
Chris Harris<br />
Bruce Young<br />
AFL Capricornia<br />
Umpires Association<br />
Ian Devenish<br />
Department of Defence<br />
Katrina Mitchener<br />
Department of<br />
Education and Training<br />
Harris Financial Planning<br />
C.T. Harris and Company<br />
Ergon Energy<br />
Peter Milani<br />
CQ TAFE<br />
Vince O'Rourke<br />
Upson Downs<br />
Imaging Services<br />
Rail Innovation Australia<br />
Oaky North<br />
Mick Scott<br />
Andrew Bate<br />
SwarmFarm<br />
Robotics<br />
SWARMFARM ROBOTICS<br />
Startup<br />
Innovative grain and cattle farmer Andrew Bate is passionate<br />
about developing robotic farming technology that ensures future<br />
generations of farmers have a vibrant, economic, and sustainable<br />
future in the cropping industry. Mr. Bate’s AgBot 19 development<br />
company, SwarmFarm Robotics has partnered with the Queensland<br />
University of Technology and the University of Sydney’s Australian<br />
Centre for Field Robotics to develop swarms of agbots conducting<br />
plant and soil maintenance and improvement tasks such as bug and<br />
weed removal, at any hour of the day or night and in any weather<br />
conditions.<br />
CARBON LINK<br />
Startup<br />
Carbon Link enables farmers to put carbon on their bottom line and<br />
improve sustainability. Carbon Link has completed the first large<br />
scale accurate measurement of soil carbon in the world, down to<br />
one metre. This Internet of Things sensor technology is 100 times<br />
more accurate than conventional methods. Carbon Link is a leader<br />
in carbon farming markets providing; sensor technology to measure<br />
carbon stocks; training and guidance to implement practices that<br />
restore the landscape and store carbon; and support with implementing<br />
carbon trading.<br />
22
ROCKHAMPTON<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
7<br />
101 Business group (Software)<br />
BitPlex (Productivity)<br />
Carbon Link (AgTech Sensors)<br />
EnviroSource (Marketplace)<br />
GamePlan (Productivity)<br />
Swarm Farm Robotics (Robotics)<br />
Upson Downs (Drones)<br />
POPULATION<br />
GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT<br />
TOTAL FUNDING<br />
1.8% of Queensland 57 1.7% of Queensland 53 0% of Regional Queensland<br />
85K $7.1B $0K<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S BY MARKET FOCUS:<br />
TOP 4 MARKETS<br />
Professional Services<br />
Agriculture<br />
Mining & Resources<br />
Arts & Recreation<br />
TECH <strong>ECOSYSTEM</strong> SUMMARY<br />
Rockhampton hosts a significant number of<br />
government, community and major business<br />
administrative offices for Central Queensland.<br />
Rockhampton is often referred to as the beef<br />
capital of Australia. Rockhampton has the added<br />
benefit of having the headquarters of the Central<br />
Queensland University (CQU), resulting in<br />
strong STEM talent flow into the region. The<br />
CQU School of Engineering and Technology has<br />
over 90 staff and nearly 1,000 students currently<br />
enrolled.<br />
The Rockhampton Startup ecosystem is at an<br />
embryonic stage. As of July 2015 there are no<br />
startup specific meetups. A wider ICT group<br />
does have informal meetings, but this lacks<br />
a startup specific focus. Rockhampton has a<br />
small but dispersed group of tech startups,<br />
with little interaction between them. There is<br />
no central space available to co-work, network<br />
and collaborate however the local council has<br />
established an innovative library space that can be<br />
further utilised.<br />
There is a small network of angel investors with<br />
an interest to invest in local tech talent, but they<br />
lack the formal structure to facilitate this. They<br />
also raised the issue of not enough dealflow to<br />
warrant local investment.<br />
It is estimated that the 7 startups operating out<br />
of Rockhampton were employing 15+ people.<br />
A selection of notable persons identified in a<br />
centrality ranking are as follows; Terry McCosker<br />
(Founder), Derel Wurst (Established Founder)<br />
Andrew Bate (Founder), Richard Chappell<br />
(Founder), Mick Scott (Founder), Chris Harris<br />
(angel), Jason Foss (Support) and Christine Bell<br />
(Founder).<br />
There is a base of established technology<br />
companies operating out of the Rockhampton<br />
region. 4Tel founded by Derel Wurst, specialises<br />
in the fields of train control systems, large radio<br />
and satellite systems, SCADA networks, IP<br />
networking, and software for real-time command<br />
and control networks. Insyte Solutions develops<br />
industry leading software for rail innovation<br />
across Australia. Rail Innovation Australia<br />
is commercialising new technologies and<br />
educational solutions for the railway industry via<br />
customer-driven cooperative business ventures.<br />
A number of other professional web design and<br />
marketing agencies are indirectly contributing to<br />
the ecosystem.<br />
With Rockhampton being the beef capital of<br />
Australia, it was surprising not to find any<br />
software related to the beef industry, however,<br />
outside the immediate region, MandraIT in<br />
Calliope, Queensland developed iHerd, a<br />
livestock management app with over 40,000<br />
global users.<br />
ISSUES & ACTIONS<br />
Participants identified STEM talent flow leaving<br />
the region to seek opportunity in capital cities<br />
as a major issue. Participants identified a lack<br />
of networking and collaboration as being major<br />
hurdles for an ecosystem to take root. The lack of<br />
NBN was a large impediment, with some areas<br />
lacking basic ADSL2 services. A common theme<br />
was a lack of local government support for the<br />
sector. It was perceived that the local government<br />
needed to do more to facilitate networking events,<br />
yet global comparisons point to community<br />
driven models as those with the most success.<br />
ISSUES TOP 5<br />
Talent & Skills<br />
Collaboration & Networking<br />
Funding<br />
Infrastructure<br />
Raise Awareness<br />
ACTIONS TOP 5<br />
Collaboration & Networking<br />
Skills Directory<br />
Communication Network<br />
Local Angel / VC Group<br />
Govt Incentive - Infrastructure<br />
22%<br />
19%<br />
15%<br />
11%<br />
11%<br />
43%<br />
24%<br />
14%<br />
14%<br />
5%<br />
Participants expressed the most interest in the<br />
creation of a local angel group to connect angel<br />
investors to entrepreneurs. The generation of a<br />
local tech directory to better discover local talent<br />
was seen as a vital initiative to boost connectivity,<br />
and a quick win that would drive immediate<br />
value.<br />
23
MACKAY<br />
Mackay startups [yellow], established<br />
tech companies [white], and related<br />
companies [pink], along with their<br />
founders and employees [blue]. Links<br />
show professional relationships via<br />
Linkedin.<br />
Alan Jones<br />
Gareth Zillmann<br />
Gareth Zillmann<br />
ShareBoat Technologies<br />
ZONTA WOMEN<br />
IN BUSINESS<br />
Norske Skog - Tasman Pulp and Paper<br />
Tait Electronics<br />
Electrical Drawing Service<br />
Peter Watson<br />
Sampath Howpe Liyanage<br />
Repco<br />
LogiCamms<br />
Hamish McAlpine<br />
Paterson Flood Engineers<br />
Central Queensland<br />
Quantity Surveying<br />
SEOS Displays<br />
Wilde and Woolard<br />
Gavin Liston<br />
ABB Industry<br />
Dennis Murphy<br />
South Eastern Electricity Board<br />
Margot Reeves<br />
Queensland Rail<br />
Downer<br />
Samuel Moohin<br />
Rio Tinto<br />
Cell Engineering<br />
Stephen Gard<br />
Kelly Egan<br />
Synengco<br />
Jaime Rea<br />
Cairns Base Hospital<br />
Peter Goodworth<br />
John Vella<br />
Stewart McKinnon<br />
Taffy's Typing Service<br />
Realtime<br />
Group Ltd<br />
Greg Thompson<br />
Darren Thompson<br />
CJD Equipment<br />
Workpac Industrial<br />
Princess Alexandra Hospital<br />
Rio Tinto Coal Australia<br />
Ian Broadfoot<br />
Mack Permanent<br />
Building Society<br />
Paul Edwards<br />
Stephen Clarkson<br />
Nathan Payne<br />
Bronwyn Grannall<br />
Whitsunday Software<br />
Department of Industry,<br />
Tourism and Resources<br />
TEAM Engineering Services<br />
Greg Thompson<br />
Pioneer Permanent<br />
Building Society<br />
Intov8<br />
John Tindale<br />
Chris Bradly<br />
Jade McAuley<br />
Peter Everitt<br />
iScape<br />
Aiden Payne<br />
CQ TAFE<br />
Nebo News<br />
Jan Teale<br />
Justin Bachmann<br />
redhotblue<br />
BigMate<br />
X-Yachts Australia<br />
Louise Clare<br />
2MT Mining Products<br />
CQ Rescue<br />
Nielsen TAM<br />
Annette Camilleri<br />
Jody-lee Euler<br />
Owen Rippingale<br />
Stephen Vassallo<br />
Regional Development<br />
Australia Mackay<br />
Whitsunday Inc.<br />
G&S Engineering Services<br />
RCS<br />
Reece Ramsay<br />
McKays Solicitors<br />
Mackay Permanent Building Society<br />
Graham Smith<br />
CORE Magazine<br />
Mater Foundation<br />
Nortel Networks<br />
Brian Tulloch<br />
NEPEAN Power<br />
Glen Barnard<br />
Annabel Dolphin<br />
Sharon Messer<br />
Tim Stevenson<br />
Alastair Carnell<br />
Joel Wright<br />
Mark Lalor<br />
McGair Enterprises<br />
Austbelt<br />
R & J McTaggart & Co<br />
Silcar Telepower<br />
QR<br />
Big Wheels<br />
Clinton Evans<br />
WorleyParsons<br />
Matthew McKenzie<br />
Brad McKinlay<br />
Andrew Saxelby<br />
Hills Fruit & Vege<br />
Acubis<br />
Mike Nyakureba<br />
Aaron Pirie<br />
Andrew Clews<br />
Telstra Business Centre<br />
Kadence Group<br />
BHP - Groote Eylandt Mining Company - NT<br />
John Markley<br />
Vinay Kumar<br />
Ergon Energy<br />
Eungella Carriers<br />
Robert Sluggett<br />
Tony Crowley<br />
Angurugu Community Government Council<br />
Sunstate Garages and Sheds<br />
Independent Agricultural Resources<br />
Mervyn Archer<br />
Flor Hanly & Associates<br />
Mark Ellwood<br />
Farmacist<br />
Geoff Fleming<br />
Bryan Lavarack<br />
Mackay Sugar<br />
Steve McFarlane<br />
Patrick Cunningham<br />
Kevin Moore<br />
Nicholas Flor<br />
Smart HR<br />
Solutions<br />
Jodie Stanley<br />
Fired Up Central<br />
CQQS<br />
Get It Done<br />
Mercedes Benz |<br />
Daimler Chrysler<br />
Cook This<br />
Strictly Service<br />
Foodco<br />
Shaun Young<br />
Steve Dansie<br />
Daniel Leppien<br />
Startup Mackay<br />
Cape York Air Services<br />
Co-Collaborate<br />
Darren Cooke<br />
Bowen Basin Coal Mines,<br />
Ports & Construction<br />
Flightship Ground Effect<br />
Subway<br />
Grant Broadcasting<br />
Justine Price<br />
Southern Cross Austereo<br />
MI Power QLD Pty Ltd<br />
Joe Zarb<br />
CONSYS Engineering<br />
Peabody Energy<br />
Engineers Australia<br />
WDM communications<br />
Steven Cheyne<br />
Shaun Abbott<br />
Transfield Services<br />
Mick Storch<br />
Orion Ag<br />
ST Olive & Sons<br />
The Bullion Group<br />
Hamiltech<br />
Central Queensland University<br />
WMC Fertilizers<br />
Neill Thompson<br />
Thiess Degremont<br />
Gippsland Water<br />
John Holland<br />
BHP Billiton<br />
Michelle Elvy<br />
Gippsland Water<br />
REB Engineering ELMS<br />
Highlands Machinery<br />
Jessica Frater<br />
Conservation Volunteers Australia<br />
Jenny Legge<br />
GEMYDU<br />
Brett Fratus<br />
Bill Corbett<br />
Chandler Macleod Group<br />
BMA<br />
Mackay Christian College<br />
Westpac<br />
Omya<br />
Regional Social Development Centre<br />
Mortgage House Mackay<br />
BUSY At Work<br />
Pioneer Valley Country Music Assoc. Inc<br />
Matt Ewing<br />
QIT Plus<br />
Chris Madsen<br />
Don Neal<br />
Janet Cawte<br />
Airmap3D<br />
Circuit Wiz<br />
JobFit Systems<br />
Yvonne Mc Keown<br />
Real Time Instruments<br />
JL Rehab & Consulting<br />
Garry France<br />
STRICTLY SERVICE<br />
Startup<br />
Strictly Service helps people connect with trusted mechanics and<br />
compare the price of car services online. It connects car owners<br />
to multiple vehicle service workshops simultaneously, enabling<br />
workshops to display accurate real time pricing and availability<br />
for 1000’s of vehicles, and giving car owners the ability to receive<br />
quotes or book a service from multiple preferred workshops<br />
knowing the service requirements, service duration, service price and<br />
workshop availability.<br />
JOBFIT SYSTEMS<br />
Startup<br />
JobFit Systems developed an online database that objectively<br />
compares worker capabilities to job demands. It assists employers,<br />
health providers and consultants make decisions about job<br />
placement, suitable duties, programs, health surveillance and risk<br />
management strategies. A recipient of Commercialisation Australia<br />
funding in 2012, and Queensland Government Business & Industry<br />
Transformation Incentive Funding, the startup’s standardised tools<br />
and processes aim to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the holistic<br />
management of a worker’s health and wellness at their place of work.<br />
24
MACKAY<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
8<br />
Airmap3D (drones)<br />
Farmacist (marketplace)<br />
Job Fit Systems (software)<br />
Kadence Group (collaboration)<br />
Procedures Online & 4P Systems (productivity)<br />
QIT Plus (big data)<br />
SmartHR Solutions (education)<br />
Strictly Service (marketplace)<br />
POPULATION<br />
GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT TOTAL FUNDING<br />
2.6% of Queensland 57 3.1% of Queensland 54 1.4% of Regional Queensland<br />
123K $8.7B $1.4M<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S BY MARKET FOCUS:<br />
TOP 5 MARKETS<br />
Public Administraiton<br />
Agriculture<br />
Arts & Recreation<br />
Mining & Energy<br />
Information Media<br />
Other<br />
TECH <strong>ECOSYSTEM</strong> SUMMARY<br />
Mackay is widely recognised as the Sugar Capital<br />
of Australia, producing a third of all sugar in<br />
Australia. Mackay is also the gateway to the<br />
Bowen Basin coal mining reserves of Central<br />
Queensland. It is the single largest coal reserve<br />
in Australia, with 34 operational coal mines<br />
extracting more than 100 million tonnes annually.<br />
With the recent (2015) launch of a community<br />
group Startup Mackay; the town held its first<br />
Startup Weekend in October 2015 and ilab’s<br />
Mentor Blaze 20 in September 2015, the ecosystem<br />
is beginning to take root. Regular meetups have<br />
been lacking in the past, but a series of regular<br />
tech specific networking sessions have been<br />
run throughout 2015. The Mackay IT Network<br />
also organises regular meetups but these lack a<br />
specific startup focus. A lack of a shared space or<br />
Coworking hub means people are dispersed across<br />
the city and meetups don’t yet have a set venue.<br />
It is estimated that startups operating out of<br />
Mackay were employing 20+ people. A selection<br />
of notable persons identified in a centrality<br />
ranking are as follows; Jodie Stanley (Startup<br />
Mackay), Dennis Murphy (Startup Mackay),<br />
Darren Cooke (Founder), Chris Madsen<br />
(Founder), John Williams (State Govt), Jenny<br />
Legge (Founder), Nicholas Flor (Founder), Ben<br />
Wearmouth (Support) and Mick Storch (Founder).<br />
The following technology related events and<br />
meetups were identified, and are presented<br />
according to their importance to the ecosystem:<br />
Startup Mackay Meetup, ilab roadshow, AGRI<br />
innovation conference and Mackay Maker Space<br />
Meetup.<br />
ISSUES & ACTIONS<br />
A major issue highlighted by participants was<br />
the lack of established networks, mentors and<br />
educators to help build the ecosystem from the<br />
ground up. Participants stated that the lack of<br />
a collaborative space to work from and hold<br />
central events had resulted in a number of silos<br />
developing. A lack of available local talent was<br />
also seen as a hurdle for growing large local<br />
startups without having to move to a capital city,<br />
and this was compounded by the mining industry<br />
drawing talent away from local startups.<br />
Participants highlighted a major desired action<br />
was the set up of a local hub in the CBD to enable<br />
collaboration and networking. The identification<br />
of a local angel investor network was also seen as<br />
a priority action to localise investments. Securing<br />
a Startup Weekend and Mentor Blaze was seen as<br />
a core enabler to the establishment of a grassroots<br />
ecosystem.<br />
ISSUES TOP 5<br />
Collaboration & Networking<br />
Infrastructure<br />
Talent & Skills<br />
Raise Awareness<br />
Funding<br />
ACTIONS TOP 5<br />
Local Angel / VC Group<br />
Hub / Coworking Space<br />
Startup Apprentice<br />
Collaboration & Networking<br />
Communication Hub<br />
23%<br />
23%<br />
20%<br />
17%<br />
10%<br />
30%<br />
23%<br />
20%<br />
10%<br />
10%<br />
Established technology companies and supporting<br />
entities that play an important role in the Mackay<br />
Ecosystem include; Big Mate (GPS), Acubis<br />
(Wireless), LogiCamms, Circuit Wiz (software),<br />
Real Time Instruments (sensors), Central<br />
Queensland University (education) and Resource<br />
Industry Network (support).<br />
25
TOWNSVILLE<br />
Townsville startups [pink],<br />
established tech companies [white],<br />
and related companies [yellow],<br />
along with their founders and<br />
employees [red or light blue]. Links<br />
show professional relationships via<br />
Linkedin.<br />
Richard Sazima<br />
JESI<br />
NQ Innovate<br />
Solidfacts NQ<br />
David Cole<br />
eMerge Learning Productions<br />
Townsville Lean Network<br />
JB Hifi<br />
Pacific Integrated<br />
Project Delivery Pty Ltd<br />
NQ UAV<br />
Ashley Walker<br />
Jimmy's PTY LTD<br />
Target<br />
DEC-MECH<br />
Albright & Wilson (Surfactants)<br />
Manufacturing Dynamics<br />
Pascoe's<br />
Natures' Organics<br />
MAVLAB P/L<br />
Trace Scientific<br />
QMI Solutions<br />
Creative Industries Faculty<br />
Joanne Walter<br />
Kelly Services<br />
Matthew Tebble<br />
Joe Hoolahan<br />
Australian Army<br />
SKILLED Group<br />
David Cole<br />
Applied Chemicals (Australia)<br />
Industry Capability Network - Queensland<br />
Kathy Wilson Consulting<br />
Puma Energy<br />
Department of Science,<br />
Information Technology<br />
and Innovation<br />
Woolworths<br />
Schmidt + Clemens GmbH + Co. KG<br />
Kyam<br />
Anton Mazkovoi<br />
Australian Festival<br />
of Chamber Music<br />
McDonald's<br />
Corporation<br />
John Williams<br />
North Queensland Cowboys<br />
Patrick Latter<br />
TrenchNorth<br />
PJ & EM Latter<br />
Blake Pelling<br />
SafetyCulture<br />
Country Craft Junction<br />
Luke Anear<br />
Dick Smith Electronics<br />
WMC Resources<br />
Mojito Solutions<br />
John Bruce-Smith<br />
Telstra Business Centre<br />
616 Digital LLC<br />
(Pokie Magic)<br />
Mark Robinson<br />
Qld Health<br />
MYER<br />
Alexander<br />
Dept of Justice and Scott<br />
Attorney general<br />
Talk to the Mac<br />
Hatch<br />
Townsville ICT<br />
Chris Woods<br />
Business Network<br />
Osmotion<br />
Oracle<br />
Tec-NQ<br />
Websense<br />
BMC Software<br />
SaferData<br />
James Cook University<br />
Apress<br />
Peter Ridd<br />
Oz Apps<br />
Crowe Howarth<br />
NFA<br />
GSK<br />
Hayman Island<br />
Helireef Whitsunday<br />
Australian Computer Society Tropic Tech<br />
Fierce Ventures<br />
Aurecon<br />
Hamilton Island Air<br />
Chris Brown<br />
Skydronics<br />
Lindsay Ward<br />
Dylan Furnell<br />
Townsville City Council<br />
Bonnell Technology<br />
Stuart King<br />
Carpentaria Gold Ravenswood<br />
TechCompServices<br />
Anthony Wilson<br />
South32 Cannington Mine<br />
BHPB Cannington Mine<br />
Australian Institute<br />
of Marine Science<br />
Greg Bruce<br />
Ian Atkinson<br />
mildsurprise.com<br />
Parasyn Controls<br />
Proccess Control Engineers<br />
Grant Bajema<br />
Townsville<br />
Enterprise<br />
eResearch<br />
JCU<br />
David Beitey<br />
Experimental<br />
Unicorns<br />
Code Valley<br />
Ergon Energy<br />
Mining & Civil<br />
Recruitment<br />
yRepublic<br />
Bronwyn Voyce Consulting<br />
BAE Systems<br />
Comit Pty Ltd<br />
My Little Genius<br />
Bronwyn Voyce<br />
Pointons Lawyers<br />
Grants Enterprises<br />
BajTech<br />
Process Control<br />
Engineers<br />
Unity Finn<br />
Russell Savage<br />
Noel Lovisa<br />
Taste Paradise Tropical<br />
North Queensland<br />
Comit<br />
Aden Tranter<br />
CB Programming<br />
Wow Factor<br />
Sister City Partners Limited<br />
RPL Solutions<br />
Second to<br />
None Nutrition<br />
Michael Sloggett<br />
WorldVentures<br />
Townsville Cleveland<br />
Detention Center<br />
Lilone Photography<br />
Williams Graham<br />
Carman Lawyers<br />
JESI<br />
Startup<br />
JESI is a web based multi-platform journey management software<br />
solution that enables organisations to control the risks associated<br />
with a mobile workforce. JESI incorporates automated reminders and<br />
emergency alerts, all from the convenience of your mobile and other<br />
telecommunication devices.<br />
JESI provides peace of mind that if emergency assistance is required,<br />
an incident response team would be alerted in a short period of time.<br />
JESI has a rapidly growing team, with four staff in Townsville, one<br />
in Houston and a team of three in Brisbane.<br />
NQ UAV<br />
Startup<br />
NQ UAV is Townsville’s first drone business. They provide<br />
complete service for companies, research bodies or government<br />
organisations wishing to utilise unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).<br />
NQ UAV provides all the necessary project management, approvals,<br />
pilots, craft and data processing for either simple or complex UAV<br />
applications. NQ UAV offers drone development services to cover<br />
everything from research, sourcing, procurement, modification<br />
and integration of unmanned systems for new and innovative UAV<br />
applications. This includes after-market upgrades and modifications<br />
as well as building spares and/or replacements.<br />
26
TOWNSVILLE<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
12<br />
AM Shelfie (3D Printing)<br />
BajTech (3D Printing)<br />
Comit Platforms (Mobile App)<br />
Experimental Unicorns (Software)<br />
JESI (Mobile App)<br />
NQ UAV (Drones)<br />
OzApps (Mobile App)<br />
SafetyCulture (Mobile App)<br />
Second to none Nutrition (eCommerce)<br />
Skydronics (Drones)<br />
WotsLocal (Marketplace)<br />
Wow Factor (Mobile App)<br />
POPULATION<br />
GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT TOTAL FUNDING<br />
4.1% of Queensland 57 4.0% of Queensland 55 65% of Regional Queensland<br />
192K $11.5B $6.7M<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S BY MARKET FOCUS:<br />
TOP 5 MARKETS<br />
Information Media<br />
Safety<br />
Manufacturing<br />
Agriculture<br />
Arts & Recreation<br />
Other<br />
TECH <strong>ECOSYSTEM</strong> SUMMARY<br />
Townsville hosts a significant number of<br />
government, community and major business<br />
offices, and its economy has displayed strong and<br />
stable performance over the past decade. It has<br />
a diverse industry base in which no one sector<br />
contributes more than 17.6% to GRP.<br />
Still in its relative infancy, a number of<br />
community driven activities have boosted<br />
community engagement and participation<br />
throughout the startup ecosystem. Townsville<br />
Startups Meetup has over 130 members, and<br />
have run 10 events over the past year, including<br />
a Startup Weekend, a Mentor Blaze session,<br />
and guest talks from Steve Baxter (River City<br />
Labs) and Wayne Gerard (Red Eye Apps).<br />
Townsville has the added benefit of having the<br />
headquarters of James Cook University (JCU),<br />
the second oldest university in Queensland<br />
and recognised in the top 4% of universities<br />
worldwide. In particular, the eResearch Centre<br />
is leading the way in mining open tropical<br />
data, web collaboration, sensor networking,<br />
high performance computing, and software<br />
development.<br />
It is estimated that the 12 startups operating<br />
out of Townsville were employing 80+ people.<br />
A selection of notable persons identified in a<br />
centrality ranking are as follows; Luke Anear<br />
(Founder), Joe Hoolahan (Founder), John<br />
Williams (State Govt) Ian Atkinson (University),<br />
Richard Sazima (meetup), Stuart King (Founder),<br />
David Beitey (Founder), David Cole (Founder),<br />
Greg Bruce (Local Govt) and Jayant Varma<br />
(Founder).<br />
Established technology companies and supporting<br />
entities that play an important role in the<br />
Townsville ecosystem include; Code Valley<br />
(Established Tech), Sister City Partners (Funding),<br />
DEC-MECH (Established Tech), Blackbird<br />
Ventures (Funding), NFA Innovation (Established<br />
Tech), Department of Science, Information<br />
Technology and Innovation (State Govt),<br />
Townsville ICT Business Network (Support),<br />
James Cook University (Education), CSIRO<br />
(Support) and Startup Townsville (Support).<br />
The following technology related events and<br />
meetups were identified, and are presented<br />
according to their importance to the ecosystem:<br />
Townsville Startup Meetup, Startup Weekend,<br />
Mentor Blaze, RoboCup, Townsville ICT<br />
Business Network, NQ IT Conference and Startup<br />
Apprentice.<br />
ISSUES & ACTIONS<br />
Townsville participants expressed a major issue<br />
with the lack of funding options available in the<br />
local area, with the majority of funding coming<br />
from major cities. Access to talent was a large<br />
impediment to the growth of the ecosystem,<br />
with talent attraction proving especially difficult.<br />
Increasing collaboration and networking was<br />
especially hard without a central venue for the<br />
startup community to co-exist. The poor local<br />
perception of technology and lack of education<br />
of the community was seen as a hurdle to future<br />
success.<br />
Participants outlined that the NBN rollout was a<br />
critical factor to the success of local companies,<br />
and being one of the first regional cities to get<br />
NBN coverage was a drawcard for tech talent.<br />
The creation of a local angel network was seen as<br />
key to increase the number of tech startups in the<br />
region. The identification and opening of a<br />
co-working hub was a vital action that was needed<br />
to build the ecosystem.<br />
ISSUES TOP 5<br />
Talent & Skills<br />
Funding<br />
Collaboration & Networking<br />
Raise Awareness<br />
Culture<br />
ACTIONS TOP 5<br />
Local Angel / VC Group<br />
Hub / Coworking Space<br />
Education Program<br />
Brand / Culture<br />
Collaboration & Networking<br />
23%<br />
23%<br />
18%<br />
18%<br />
18%<br />
33%<br />
24%<br />
22%<br />
18%<br />
4%<br />
27
CAIRNS<br />
Cairns startups [white], established<br />
tech companies [pink], related<br />
companies [red], along with<br />
their founders and employees<br />
[blue]. Links show professional<br />
relationships via Linkedin.<br />
Dean Matejcek<br />
Chris McKinley<br />
Sheridan Lindée<br />
Julia Stark<br />
Nathan Brittain<br />
Abhi Beckert<br />
Precedence<br />
Iceberg Innovation<br />
Michael Abdoo<br />
Joyce Mar<br />
Benjamin Norris<br />
Kaj Haffenden<br />
Rebecca Silcock<br />
APRA Amcos<br />
Nicky Jurd<br />
2bit Studios<br />
Thomas Wright<br />
Adam Young<br />
Leonie O'Connor<br />
Sam Dorahy<br />
Sidney de Vries<br />
Tyson Clarke<br />
Voista<br />
Andrew Joy<br />
Why Not Tours<br />
Matthew Joy<br />
Andrew Bills<br />
Droner<br />
Tom Watson<br />
Insta Connect<br />
Snipe<br />
Andrew Johnston<br />
HoverCam<br />
Elise Warring<br />
Ji Shen<br />
tourstogo.com<br />
Relocations2go<br />
Focuss<br />
Symon Pritchett<br />
Kristie Partington<br />
ESRI<br />
Didgigo<br />
Robert Buhrke<br />
Emmy Kerrigan<br />
Luke Bermingham<br />
Andrew Hayes<br />
Renee Cassels<br />
James Cook University<br />
Bets With<br />
Friends<br />
John Mlikota<br />
The Australian Small<br />
Scale Offerings Board<br />
Brett Bundock<br />
Dynamic<br />
Conversations<br />
Matt McKinley<br />
Shilpa Pahuja<br />
John Hamilton<br />
Cairns Regional<br />
Investment Group<br />
Carol Hautot<br />
Koolivoo<br />
Adam Williams<br />
The Ultimate To Do List<br />
Chris McKinley<br />
Glen Rice<br />
Sam Leo<br />
Anthony Dukes<br />
Sakure<br />
TenderHound<br />
Werner Sandner<br />
Dieter Bohm<br />
Thought Select<br />
Krystal King<br />
Mr Cameron Jeffrey<br />
Jane Polak Scowcroft<br />
CatchLog<br />
Roy Wybrow<br />
Adam Wolfs<br />
Stefan Aeberhard<br />
Leah Stevenson<br />
Jo Jones Laifoo<br />
Jessica Conway<br />
Therma Culture<br />
Gray Bowen<br />
Nick Loukas<br />
Anthony Mirotsos<br />
Jess Rea<br />
Mark Glann<br />
Tim Osmond<br />
Morag Goodinson<br />
Rhonda Arndt<br />
Brad McCulloch<br />
inCapital<br />
Damian Zammit<br />
Troy Haines<br />
iAMConnected<br />
theSpace Cairns<br />
Zach Lockhard<br />
Dani Brewster<br />
Varun Chauhan<br />
Christine Reizner<br />
Mark Matthews<br />
Advance Cairns<br />
SamTheWaiter<br />
Jordan Murphy<br />
UAView<br />
Quentin Miller<br />
Emma Geerlings<br />
Peppi Iovannella<br />
Lee Bain<br />
Takor Group<br />
Alistair Hart<br />
Kim Kelly<br />
Dale Edney<br />
Nathaniel Armer<br />
Isabelle Fabio<br />
Mogtastic<br />
Emma Walker<br />
Pete Burns<br />
I Want that Course<br />
Daniel Lundh<br />
OrbStudio<br />
Matt Hanson<br />
mangoesmapping<br />
Karen Ross<br />
Cassie Horsley<br />
Elliot Strickland<br />
My Footy<br />
Boots<br />
Nicole Hambleton<br />
Layla Valinoti<br />
Todd Evans<br />
Erick Zegeer<br />
Rebecca Moss<br />
Richard Burns<br />
Lynne-Maree<br />
Fitzpatrick<br />
Inspection<br />
Apps<br />
HelloClaims<br />
Stevie Rollinson<br />
MyPool Inspection<br />
Darryl Postgate<br />
ShareStuff<br />
George Corea<br />
Jillian Dean<br />
ResPax<br />
Simon Frost<br />
Simon lenoir<br />
Darren Barden<br />
nupath<br />
Konveen<br />
Steven Hambleton<br />
Kelly Maclellan<br />
AUFO<br />
Hongbin Liu<br />
Natalie Kerslake<br />
Get Back 2 Basics<br />
George Chandeep Corea<br />
Brian Dean<br />
Cassie Horsley<br />
Sally Vaughan<br />
INSPECTION APPS<br />
Startup<br />
KONVEEN<br />
Startup<br />
Inspection Apps is a Multi-Award winning software product that<br />
provides a software solution for business, government, councils,<br />
real estate, building inspectors, mining, OH&S inspectors and many<br />
more.<br />
Inspection Apps provides cloud-based inspection management<br />
software, which replicates paper-based checklists, and helps users to<br />
use iPhones, iPads or iPad Minis to record inspection data, capture<br />
defects and take photographs. Inspection Apps allows users to have<br />
multiple inspection types within the one app, and each inspection<br />
type can have a unique combination of checklist questions.<br />
Konveen is an enterprise meeting platform that brings consistency<br />
and structure to the way organisations plan and document their<br />
meetings. Konveen aims to prevent unproductive meetings by helping<br />
employees achieve their goals sooner by giving them the framework<br />
to run better meetings. Konveen offers a consistent and measurable<br />
approach to running and recording meetings, leading to less wasted<br />
time, and actionable insights into the cost and outcomes of meetings.<br />
Konveen was a recipient of funding from Cairns Regional Council as<br />
winners of a pitch competition in 2014.<br />
28
CAIRNS<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
31<br />
2 bit Studios (Game Studio)<br />
AUFO (Drones)<br />
Bets With Friends (Mobile App)<br />
Catch Log Trading (Analytics)<br />
Didgigo (Content Creation)<br />
Drink Tracker (Mobile App)<br />
Droner (Drones)<br />
Dynamic Conversations (Marketplace)<br />
Focuss (unknown)<br />
HelloClaims (Insurance)<br />
I Want That Course (Marketplace)<br />
iAMConnected (Collaboration)<br />
Inspection Apps (Mobile App)<br />
InstaConnect (IOT)<br />
Konveen (Communication)<br />
Mogtastic (Game Studio)<br />
My Footy Boots (Marketplace)<br />
Nupath (Education)<br />
Orb Studio (Game Studio)<br />
Pak Yak (Mobile App)<br />
Relocations to Go (Marketplace)<br />
Sakure (Desktop App)<br />
Sam the Waiter (Mobile App)<br />
ShareStuff (Marketplace)<br />
Snipe (Productivity)<br />
TenderHound (Collaboration)<br />
ThermaCulture (IOT)<br />
ThoughtSelect (Mobile App)<br />
UAVIEW (Drones)<br />
Voista (Software)<br />
Why Not Tours (Marketplace)<br />
POPULATION<br />
GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT TOTAL FUNDING<br />
3.4% of Queensland 57 2.7% of Queensland 56 13% Regional Queensland<br />
159K $7.6B $1.4M<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S BY MARKET FOCUS:<br />
TOP 5 MARKETS<br />
Professional Services<br />
Agriculture<br />
Education & Training<br />
Tourism<br />
Information Media<br />
Other<br />
TECH <strong>ECOSYSTEM</strong> SUMMARY<br />
Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef are a<br />
unique environment, renowned nationally and<br />
internationally as a premier tourism destination.<br />
The region attracts more than 2 million domestic<br />
and international visitors each year, contributing<br />
over $2.6 billion dollars to the local economy. As<br />
a result, Cairns has a large transient population<br />
that adds to the complexity of the establishment<br />
of a robust tech ecosystem.<br />
Cairns is emerging as a strong digital technology<br />
hub. Cairns has a higher density of startups per<br />
capita than South East Queensland. Yet local<br />
startups haven’t raised anywhere near as much<br />
money. Most technology startups are based out<br />
of the CBD, and a number benefit from support<br />
from centres like theSpace co-working hub. The<br />
startup scene in Cairns spans multiple sectors,<br />
including education and agriculture. A number<br />
of tourism and construction startups exist in<br />
Cairns, alongside a growing professional services<br />
sector. The Cairns Regional Investment Group is<br />
currently developing a network of angel investors<br />
with a focus on Cairns and regional opportunities.<br />
It is estimated that the 31 startups operating out of<br />
Cairns were employing 120+ people. A selection<br />
of notable persons identified in a centrality<br />
ranking are as follows; Troy Haines (Coworking),<br />
Damian Zammit (Coworking), Steven Hambleton<br />
(Founder), Andrew Joy (Founder), Daniel Lundh<br />
(Founder), Nathaniel Armer (Founder), John<br />
Milkota (Funding), Matthew Hanson (Founder),<br />
Daryl Postgate (Founder), Matt McKinley<br />
(Founder), Robert Buhrke (Funding) and Roy<br />
Wybrow (University).<br />
Established technology companies and supporting<br />
entities that play an important role in the Cairns<br />
ecosystem include; ResPax (Software), Koolivoo<br />
(Software), Iceberg Innovation (Funding), Cairns<br />
Regional Investment Group (Funding), James<br />
Cook University (Education), Digital Cairns<br />
(Support), Dive into Digital (Support) and<br />
PiDataConsulting (App Development).<br />
The following technology related events and<br />
meetups were identified, and are presented<br />
according to their importance to the ecosystem:<br />
Cairns Startup & Entrepreneurs Meetup, Startup<br />
Weekend, Mentor Blaze, Dive into Digital, Startup<br />
Lab, Silicon Beach Cairns, Pitch Night and<br />
FunGIS.<br />
ISSUES & ACTIONS<br />
Cairns participants expressed a major issue with<br />
the lack of a large physical space being a hurdle<br />
for startups, in addition to a low risk appetite<br />
among entrepreneurs, legislators and investors.<br />
The attraction of talent to the region was also seen<br />
as a problem, and retaining talent in an area with<br />
a large transient population was seen as a major<br />
barrier to the growth of the ecosystem.<br />
Participants suggested that the development of<br />
a local tech campus including coworking spaces<br />
supported by levels of government would provide<br />
the infrastructure needed to firmly establish a<br />
robust tech ecosystem. The Cairns Innovation<br />
Centre, announced in July 2015 and expected to<br />
launch in 2017 could address some of these needs.<br />
Engaging early with local graduate software<br />
developers was seen as a way to retain local<br />
talent. A highly innovative solution was to enter<br />
into negotiation with one of Cairns’ seven global<br />
sister cities for a seamless flow of tech talent.<br />
ISSUES TOP 5<br />
Infrastructure<br />
Culture<br />
Talent & Skills<br />
Raise Awareness<br />
Funding<br />
ACTIONS TOP 5<br />
Hub / Coworking Space<br />
Brand / Culture<br />
Startup Apprentice<br />
Govt Provide Supportive Role<br />
Education Program<br />
29%<br />
29%<br />
16%<br />
11%<br />
10%<br />
25%<br />
21.67%<br />
16.67%<br />
13.33%<br />
10%<br />
29
COMPANY STAGES<br />
Tallinn, Estonia<br />
South East Queensland<br />
Regional Queensland<br />
This diagram compares the progressive<br />
distribution of startups by estimated staff<br />
size between Regional Queensland, South<br />
East Queensland (as of 2014) and Tallinn,<br />
Estonia (home of Skype). The diagram shows<br />
people ‘interested’ in entrepreneurship, those<br />
that actually found Startups, and through to<br />
growing and mature technology companies.<br />
Developing high growth technology<br />
companies is a high risk endeavour with only<br />
a small proportion of companies achieving<br />
the growth required to move to the next stage.<br />
Approximately 90% of bootstrapped or angelfunded<br />
companies fail, and between 30% to<br />
40% of venture backed companies fail. Even<br />
fewer technology companies grow beyond<br />
$1 billion in revenue, or reach a $1 billion<br />
21 22<br />
valuation - less than 0.1% for either.<br />
431<br />
220<br />
65<br />
SEED STAGE<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong><br />
Staff size<br />
1-5<br />
154<br />
30<br />
11<br />
EARLY STAGE<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong><br />
Staff size<br />
5-30<br />
23<br />
15<br />
1<br />
GROWTH STAGE<br />
TECH CO<br />
Staff size<br />
30-100<br />
3<br />
1<br />
0<br />
LATER STAGE<br />
TECH CO<br />
Staff size<br />
100-500<br />
2<br />
1<br />
0<br />
UNICORNS<br />
Staff size<br />
500+<br />
2bit Studios<br />
oTrain<br />
SafetyCulture<br />
1500<br />
1000<br />
400<br />
POTENTIAL FOUNDERS<br />
20%<br />
Portion of people interested in<br />
entrepreneurship who start a company.<br />
30
ANGEL & <strong>STARTUP</strong> DENSITY<br />
Source: AngelList, CrunchBase and Boundlss research. Note smaller ratios are better.<br />
CITY (POPULATION)<br />
Boulder Colorado (105,000)<br />
Bend, Oregon (79,000)<br />
Burlington, Vermont (43,000)<br />
Tallinn, Estonia (400,000)<br />
Lehi, Utah (49,000)<br />
Brighton, UK (155,000)<br />
Cairns (158,000)<br />
ANGEL DENSITY<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong> DENSITY<br />
This diagram examines Startup Density (the<br />
number of people in a region per startup), and<br />
Angel Density (the number of people in a region<br />
per angel investor). Note that smaller ratios<br />
are better, such as Bend Oregon which has<br />
approximately 1 angel investor per 5,000 people,<br />
compared to the Regional Queensland Average<br />
which is approximately 1 angel investor per<br />
150,000 people. The diagram compares the seven<br />
regions in this report with nine comparatively sized<br />
regional cities in the US and Europe that have<br />
developed strong technology hubs.<br />
In 2015, entrepreneurs in smaller cities across<br />
the world have plenty of opportunity thanks<br />
to advances in technology that weren’t readily<br />
available five years ago. The proliferation of<br />
open-source tools and cloud computing has made<br />
it possible to start a fast-growth company from<br />
virtually anywhere. In todays economy, innovation<br />
is critical and operating within a cluster shortens<br />
the time required to identify, resource, and realise<br />
areas of need and opportunity. 23<br />
Eindhoven, Netherlands (216,000)<br />
Oulu, Finland (190,000)<br />
Reykjavik, Iceland (400,000)<br />
SEQ Average (2,500,000)<br />
RQ Average (1,006,000)<br />
Rockhampton (85,000)<br />
Toowoomba (162,000)<br />
Mackay (123,000)<br />
Townsville (192,000)<br />
Bundaberg (94,000)<br />
Ipswich (190,000)<br />
200K 175K 125K 100K 75K 25K 0 5K 10K 15K 20K 25K 30K 35K 40K<br />
Number of people per angel investor<br />
Number of people per startup<br />
31
GLOBAL COMPARISONS<br />
TALLINN, ESTONIA<br />
Population: 400,000<br />
OULU, FINLAND<br />
Population: 190,000<br />
ACTIVE USERS<br />
300M+<br />
RAISED<br />
$10.2M<br />
VALUATION<br />
$1B+<br />
RAISED<br />
$17.5M<br />
EMPLOYEES<br />
96<br />
INSTALLS<br />
400M+<br />
Estonia is the 132nd smallest country in the<br />
world by land mass yet it produces more<br />
startups per head of population than any other<br />
country in Europe. It has a population the size<br />
of Copenhagen but has one of the world’s most<br />
advanced e-governments. 24<br />
Within Estonia all children are taught to code<br />
until 16. In 2000, its government deemed internet<br />
access a basic human right and free Wi-Fi became<br />
the norm throughout the land.<br />
It was the first country to offer voting for general<br />
elections online and most Estonians file their<br />
taxes within minutes on their mobile phones.<br />
Their health records are stored in a digital cloud.<br />
Estonia is said to have the world’s most digitised<br />
government. 25<br />
In August 2003, six people from Estonia, Sweden<br />
and Denmark launched a new product in Tallinn.<br />
On its first day, 10,000 people downloaded it. A<br />
few months later, it had a million users. Ten years<br />
later, it is used by 300 million people around the<br />
world. The product is called Skype.<br />
It is difficult to overestimate the snowball effect<br />
Skype has had on Tallinn. “You need a local<br />
success story to legitimise creating startups as a<br />
viable business,” said Taavet Hinrikus, founder of<br />
TransferWise, a currency-exchange service. 26<br />
Skype also provided many young Estonian<br />
programmers and software developers with share<br />
options from the start — which meant that when<br />
Skype was sold to eBay in 2005 for $USD 2.5<br />
billion, many gained seed capital to start on their<br />
own companies. According to Sten Tamkivi, early<br />
employee with Skype, 36 people from Skype have<br />
since founded their own business since leaving the<br />
company 26 , most notable TransferWise, currently<br />
valued at over $USD 1 billion.<br />
Oulu was selected in the list of Fortune’s ‘7 Best<br />
New Global Cities for Startups’ in 2012. The<br />
Oulu region creates the most innovations per<br />
capita in Finland based on statistics from the<br />
Foundation for Finnish Inventions. 27<br />
In total, there are about 400 internationally<br />
scalable startup-companies founded in the Oulu<br />
region. The years 1995-2010 were extremely<br />
successful for sowing the seeds of a startup<br />
ecosystem in Oulu as Nokia invested heavily into<br />
the region through R&D investments to create a<br />
truly world-class engineering talent pool. 28<br />
32
BOULDER, COLORADO<br />
Population: 105,000<br />
BEND, OREGON<br />
Population: 79,000<br />
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS<br />
Population: 216,000<br />
RAISED<br />
$4.7M<br />
RAISED<br />
$91M<br />
GLOBAL PROGRAMS<br />
11<br />
INVESTMENTS<br />
497+<br />
RAISED<br />
$24M<br />
RAISED<br />
$20M<br />
RAISED<br />
$110M<br />
Well known as a global tech hub, in 2010,<br />
Boulder had six times more high-tech startups<br />
per capita than the nation’s average, according<br />
to an August 2013 study by the Kauffman<br />
Foundation and twice as many per capita as<br />
runner-up San Jose-Sunnyvale in California. 29<br />
This vibrant culture has given Boulder a<br />
prosperous economy. Without the help of oil,<br />
natural gas, or any monolithic industry, Boulder<br />
ranks among the top 20 most productive metro<br />
areas in the USA in terms of GDP. It is the home<br />
to three startup incubators including Techstars,<br />
and a healthy angel investor and venture capital<br />
community. 30<br />
A real world example of kickstarting a cluster<br />
is underway in Bend, Oregon. Dino Vendetti, a<br />
former Bay Partners general partner (a venture<br />
capital firm), moved up to Bend on a mission to<br />
consciously engineer an entrepreneurial cluster in<br />
a regional city to spur economic development and<br />
job creation.<br />
Steve Blank eloquently summarises<br />
Dino’s strategy to encourage and engineer<br />
entrepreneurial density. 18<br />
• Leverage the local university to produce<br />
STEM talent and in particular computer<br />
science<br />
• Lobby for direct flights to major markets<br />
• Develop local early stage risk capital<br />
• Invest in connection via local entrepreneur<br />
events and startup schools<br />
• Harness local business community support<br />
Eindhoven is hands-down the most inventive city<br />
in the world based on one of the most commonly<br />
used metrics for mapping the geography of<br />
innovation- “patent intensity.”<br />
Eindhoven produces patents at the rate of 22 for<br />
every 10,000 residents, which far outpaces the<br />
second place for most inventive city, San Diego<br />
(8.9 patents per 10,000 residents). 31<br />
Its High Tech Campus houses more than 10,000<br />
researchers, developers, and engineers from<br />
around 125 companies, all working to develop<br />
new technologies and products. Its most popular<br />
startup accelerator, the Startupbootcamp, is<br />
the biggest in Europe with a fund size of €100<br />
million. 31<br />
33
STEM TALENT FLOW<br />
A continued theme arising from regional workshops and interviews was the issue of talent flow: talent acquisition, talent retention and talent inflow (rated as<br />
the number one issue in four of the seven regions).<br />
TALENT RETENTION & ACQUISITION<br />
Regional Queensland is currently suffering from<br />
a chicken and egg challenge. Without a critical<br />
mass of established and startup technology<br />
companies, there is little draw for talent to<br />
move there, and without enough talent moving<br />
into the region, it is hard to build scalable tech<br />
companies.<br />
Research suggests that almost every successful<br />
global tech cluster has a local technical<br />
university. 18 This provides a continued source of<br />
local technical talent and research. It’s extremely<br />
difficult to import enough talent to fuel a rapidly<br />
growing tech cluster, so a university is critical to<br />
organically generate and retain talent within the<br />
region. STEM degrees are particularly critical as<br />
they train the pool of technical talent needed to<br />
drive the formation of local technology clusters.<br />
Queensland holds roughly 20% of the jobs in<br />
Australia, but only 13% (12,000) of the Software<br />
and Applications Programmers, with 40%<br />
(35,000) of Australia’s programming talent being<br />
found in New South Wales. There are currently<br />
88,200 Software and Applications Programmers<br />
employed across Australia. 32<br />
Internationally, the Australian Consulate-General<br />
in San Francisco has estimated that more than<br />
22,000 Australians are currently working in tech<br />
centres along the west coast of the US. 33<br />
Whilst this figure can be portrayed as alarming<br />
and severely impacting the growth of the local<br />
tech ecosystems, it is worth noting that the<br />
exodus of Australian tech talent is also being<br />
trained and learning from some of the best<br />
organisations and entrepreneurs globally.<br />
The key is to get them to eventually return and<br />
start businesses in Australia.<br />
Attracting talent to move back into the region<br />
after a time away may represent the very best<br />
chance of building a sustainable regional startup<br />
ecosystem.<br />
UNIVERSITY TALENT<br />
Based on 2014 figures on all students at<br />
higher education institutions, Queensland has<br />
approximately 50,000 students studying a STEM<br />
degree, 18% of the Australian STEM student<br />
numbers (consistent with Queensland’s portion<br />
of the Australian population).<br />
Of these 50,000 Queensland students, the three<br />
major regional Universities * , had 15,256 (29%)<br />
students enrolled in STEM degrees, or 5% of<br />
Australia’s STEM total in 2014.<br />
Drilling down further, these same three<br />
universities produce roughly 40% of<br />
Queensland’s ICT graduates, 32% of<br />
Engineering graduates and 22% of Natural and<br />
Physical Science graduates. 34<br />
Yet the figures do not add up when we compare<br />
startup formation rates, venture capital fund<br />
flow, and total number employed in the industry.<br />
While STEM graduates from RQ universities<br />
are high compared to national figures, this<br />
has not led to a comparably high number of<br />
technology companies being formed. This leads<br />
to the assumption that local STEM graduates are<br />
leaving Regional Queensland for capital cities<br />
or are international students returning home.<br />
The analysis of the location of STEM graduates<br />
on page 36 of the report seems to support this<br />
assumption.<br />
*<br />
The three major regional universities are:<br />
James Cook University (JCU)<br />
Central Queensland University (CQU)<br />
University of Southern Queensland (USQ)<br />
STEM<br />
The importance of STEM disciplines for the<br />
future economic and social well-being of<br />
Regional Queensland cannot be underestimated.<br />
International research indicates that 75% of the<br />
fastest growing occupations require STEM skills<br />
and knowledge and yet, Australia trains fewer<br />
people with IT skills today than it did 10 years<br />
ago. IT enrolments have dropped about 55% in<br />
that time. 35<br />
The 2011 Australian Census reported that<br />
47% of all workers who studied information<br />
technology courses work in other occupations.<br />
These span a range of positions including<br />
advertisers, marketers, engineers, accountants,<br />
bookkeepers and other professionals. 36<br />
Modelling by PwC shows that if Australia were<br />
to develop a STEM workforce in line with other<br />
leading STEM countries, it would generate, in<br />
present value terms, an additional $57.4 billion<br />
in GDP over the next 20 years. 37<br />
STATE PORTIONS OF AUS STEM STUDENTS<br />
Victoria<br />
New South Wales<br />
Queensland<br />
Western Australia<br />
South Australia<br />
Australian Capital Territory<br />
Tasmania<br />
Northern Territory<br />
29%<br />
29%<br />
18%<br />
12%<br />
6%<br />
3%<br />
2%<br />
1%<br />
RQ UNI. PORTION OF ALL QLD’S CURRENT STEM STUDENTS<br />
Central<br />
Queensland<br />
University<br />
James Cook<br />
University<br />
University of<br />
Southern<br />
Queensland<br />
0% 5% 10% 15%<br />
20%<br />
Engineering & Related Technologies<br />
Information Technology<br />
Agriculture, Environmental & Related Studies<br />
Natural & Physical Sciences<br />
34
“ <strong>STARTUP</strong>S BEGET <strong>STARTUP</strong>S.<br />
PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S START THEIR OWN.<br />
PEOPLE WHO GET RICH FROM<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S FUND NEW ONES.<br />
I SUSPECT THIS KIND OF ORGANIC<br />
GROWTH IS THE ONLY WAY<br />
TO PRODUCE A <strong>STARTUP</strong> HUB,<br />
BECAUSE IT’S THE ONLY WAY<br />
TO GROW THE EXPERTISE YOU<br />
NEED.” 38<br />
PAUL GRAHAM<br />
FOUNDER, YCOMBINATOR
STEM TALENT FLOW MAP<br />
To track the flow of technology talent<br />
leaving Regional Queensland, we used<br />
Linkedin to identify the current location<br />
of individuals that had studied a STEM<br />
degree at one of the three regional<br />
universities in Queensland.<br />
36
STEM Graduates From<br />
James Cook University (~8k)<br />
University of Central Queensland (~4k)<br />
University of Southern Queensland (~2k)<br />
37
MEETUPS & EVENTS<br />
Meetups<br />
Events<br />
25<br />
20<br />
15<br />
10<br />
5<br />
0<br />
Cairns Townsville Mackay Rockhampton Bundaberg Ipswich<br />
Toowoomba<br />
MEETUP GROUPS<br />
16+<br />
Estimated number of regular<br />
startup related Meetup Groups.<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong> WEEKENDS<br />
6Number of Startup Weekends<br />
across Regional Queensland.<br />
EVENTS<br />
55+<br />
Estimated number of startup<br />
related events per annum.<br />
Meetup Groups & Community Events<br />
Our research identifed approximately 16<br />
meetup or community groups across Regional<br />
Queensland related to startups, technology and<br />
entrepreneurship. These are informal groups that<br />
generally meet on a monthly basis. By way of<br />
comparison we identified a total of 110 startup<br />
related meetup groups in South East Queensland<br />
in the 2009 to 2014 period.<br />
A common theme emanating from participants<br />
in the project was that a lack of networking and<br />
collaboration opportunities was a major inhibitor<br />
to the growth of a local ecosystem, with many<br />
silos developing as a result.<br />
Any regional entrepreneurial community<br />
must be active and involved in supporting the<br />
growth of new startups in the region. Part of<br />
this activity must include events geared towards<br />
entrepreneurial education to help build local<br />
entrepreneurial expertise.<br />
Local events like ilab’s Mentor Blaze and Startup<br />
Weekend help train and motivate entrepreneurs.<br />
Other important community events, including<br />
networking sessions, informal meetups, and<br />
events like Hackathons and RoboCups help<br />
entrepreneurs connect with each other and<br />
develop new collaborations.<br />
Startup Weekend<br />
Toowoomba, Cairns, Tablelands, Townsville<br />
Startup Weekends are 54-hour events where<br />
tech talent come together to share ideas, form<br />
teams, build products and launch startups. Startup<br />
Weekends have been held in Toowoomba,<br />
Townsville, Cairns (x2), Atherton Tablelands<br />
(Cairns) and Mackay.<br />
Startup Weekends were perceived by participants<br />
involved in this project as critical events to help<br />
establish and build tech ecosystems.<br />
“The amount of interest that’s been generated<br />
as a result of just doing that one weekend is<br />
astounding. There’s a lot more people who<br />
are now interested in tapping into it, not just<br />
from a startup perspective, but also from the<br />
business development and the mentoring and the<br />
investment side of the ecosystem.”<br />
John Williams, DSITI, Townsville<br />
Rowes Bay Sensory Sprint Day<br />
Townsville<br />
The Rowes Bay Sensor Network Sprint sees four<br />
teams tackle separate physical environments at<br />
the Rowes Bay Sustainability Education Centre.<br />
The JCU Robo Club teamed up with JCU<br />
eResearch and the Townsville City Council to<br />
form this challenge.<br />
Four teams are assigned a separate environment,<br />
with each expected to develop an Internet<br />
of Things (IoT) solution to monitor that<br />
environment. Teams must develop a solution that<br />
gathers data, pushes it to the web, processes it,<br />
and aesthetically displays the results to a web<br />
page, all within one day.<br />
38
CENTRALITY<br />
PEOPLE<br />
30 Most Central People Ranked by ><br />
ORGANISATIONS & EVENTS<br />
30 Most Central Organisations & Events Ranked by ><br />
Rank Votes Eigenvector Votes Eigenvector<br />
1 Chris Harris (Rockhampton) John Williams theSpace (Cairns) Code Valley<br />
2 Luke Anear (Townsville) Roy Wybrow CQU (Rockhampton) SafetyCulture<br />
3 Joe Hoolahan (Townsville) Andrew Joy JCU (Townsville) IBM Australia<br />
4 Andrew Beckenhauer (Bundaberg) Ian Atkinson Best Practice Software (Bundaberg) 2bit Studios<br />
5 Richard Chappell (Rockhampton) Anna Daniel Fire Station101 (Ipswich) Osmotion<br />
6 Neil McPhillips (Bundaberg) Derel Wust Sister City Partners (Townsville) JESI<br />
7 Warwick Powell (Brisbane) Alistair Hart 2bit Studios (Cairns) I Want that Course<br />
8 Matthew Schultz (Ipswich) Chris Woods Carbon Link (Rockhampton) CatchLog<br />
9 David Masefield (Toowoomba) Greg Bruce Iceberg Innovation (Cairns) Experimental Unicorns<br />
10 Greg Bruce (Townsville) Benjamin Taylor Microair (Bundaberg) Oz Apps<br />
11 Damian Zammit (Cairns) Bronwyn Voyce Wide Bay Volunteers (Bundaberg) SaferData<br />
12 Ben Taylor (Bundaberg) Russell Savage iLab (Brisbane) LogiCamms<br />
13 Frank Pyefinch (Bundaberg) Christine Bell Koolivoo (Cairns) ESRI<br />
14 Jason Foss (Rockhampton) Blake Pelling BigMate (Mackay) D2K<br />
15 John McClean (Bundaberg) Luke Anear Gilmour Space Corp (Bundaberg) Thales<br />
16 Steve Baxter (Brisbane) Mark Matthews Kadence Group (Mackay) Strategenics<br />
17 Dale Edney (Cairns) Stephen Dummett Startup Toowoomba (Toowoomba) Raytheon<br />
18 Darren Cooke (Mackay) Kristy Gostelow Startup Townsville (Townsville) Department of Health<br />
19 Daryl Postgate (Cairns) Joe Hoolahan Dive into Digital (Cairns) ThomsonAdsett<br />
21 Jack Millbank (Bundaberg) Damian Zammit Commercialisation Australia Best Practice Software<br />
21 Paul Pisasale (Ipswich) Leanne Griffin Inspection Apps (Cairns) Minstaff Survey<br />
22 Robert Buhrke (Cairns) Ricardo (Richard) Sazima Konveen (Cairns) Koolivoo<br />
23 Russell Savage (Townsville) Matthew Schultz SafetyCulture (Townsville) 4tel<br />
24 Steven Hambleton (Cairns) Darryl Postgate JESI (Townsville) BigMate<br />
25 Troy Haines (Cairns) Terry McCosker River City Labs (Brisbane) AgData Australia<br />
26 David Cole (Townsville) Paul Wyatt MacDonnells Law (Cairns) Hortus<br />
27 Ian Atkinson (Townsville) Dennis Murphy Startup Mackay (Mackay) Acubis<br />
28 Jodie Stanley (Mackay) John Mlikota Future Now (Townsville) Agri Labour Australia<br />
29 Leanne Griffin (Toowoomba) Chris Mills ThermaCulture (Cairns) Polaris Data Centre<br />
30 Richard Sazima (Townsville) Joy Taylor Strictly Service (Mackay) Microair<br />
METHODOLOGY<br />
Network centrality is a measure of the density<br />
of a person or organisation’s interconnectedness<br />
with a network and its relationships. It is a strong<br />
factor in entrepreneurial success.<br />
As part of the project, we held seven workshops,<br />
one in each region, with 100+ key members of<br />
the ecosystem. Participants were asked to map<br />
the local community and vote on the key people,<br />
organisations and events in the ecosystem. The<br />
two columns above, labelled Votes, display the<br />
community votes ranked accordingly across the<br />
seven regions.<br />
In addition, the relationships between people<br />
within the startup ecosystem on LinkedIn were<br />
aggregated and analysed using an algorithm to<br />
calculate a network centrality score for all the<br />
nodes in the network. There are several measures<br />
of centrality. This report uses a common measure<br />
of network centrality - Eigenvector - to identify<br />
the top 30 people and organisations.<br />
39
MARKET FOCUS<br />
TARGET MARKET OF <strong>STARTUP</strong>S COMPARED TO TOP 20 QUEENSLAND INDUSTRIES<br />
Construction<br />
Mining<br />
Ownership of Dwellings<br />
Health Care and Social Assistance<br />
Manufacturing<br />
Finance and Insurance Services<br />
Public Adminstration and Safety<br />
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services<br />
Transport, Postal and Warehousing<br />
Retail Trade<br />
Education and Training<br />
Wholesale Trade<br />
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services<br />
Rental and Real Estate Services<br />
Agriculture<br />
Administrative Services<br />
Accommodation and Food Services<br />
Other Services<br />
Communication<br />
Art and Recreational Services<br />
14%<br />
12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2%<br />
0<br />
2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%<br />
Percentage of Startups<br />
targeting industry 2015<br />
Approx. Percentage of Qld GSP<br />
from industry 2013-2014 39<br />
40
TECHNOLOGY STRENGTHS<br />
NUMBER OF<br />
<strong>STARTUP</strong>S BY TARGET<br />
MARKET AND<br />
PRODUCT TYPE<br />
AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, FISHING AND HUNTING<br />
INFORMATION MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS<br />
ARTS AND RECREATION SERVICES<br />
EDUCATION AND TRAINING<br />
ENTERTAINMENT, TOURISM & SPORT<br />
PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES<br />
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY<br />
RETAIL TRADE<br />
COMMUNICATION<br />
marketplace 2 3 1 1 1 3 1 1 13 15%<br />
mobile app 1 2 3 2 1 1 10 12%<br />
drones + gis 4 1 2 1 8 10%<br />
hardware + web 4 1 1 6 7%<br />
desktop app 2 1 1 4 5%<br />
infrastructure 1 1 1 1 1 5 6%<br />
other 1 1 2 4 5%<br />
3D printing 3 3 4%<br />
collaboration 1 2 3 4%<br />
communication 3 3 4%<br />
content creation 1 1 1 3 4%<br />
education 2 2 4 5%<br />
game 2 1 3 4%<br />
productivity 1 1 2 1 5 6%<br />
customer relationship 1 1 2 2%<br />
ecommerce 1 1 2 2%<br />
big data 1 1 1%<br />
electronics 1 1 1%<br />
location 1 1 1%<br />
recommendations 1 1 1%<br />
transportation 1 1 1%<br />
video 1 1 1%<br />
CONSTRUCTION<br />
MANUFACTURING<br />
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICES<br />
ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICES<br />
ENERGY, MINING & RESOURCES<br />
HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE<br />
TRANSPORT, POSTAL AND WAREHOUSING<br />
FINANCE AND INSURANCE SERVICES<br />
HEALTH & MEDICAL<br />
INFRASTRUCTURE & BUILDING<br />
RENTAL, HIRING AND REAL ESTATE SERVICES<br />
TOTAL (COUNT)<br />
TOTAL (%)<br />
TOTAL (Count) 13 8 8 7 5 8 5 5 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2<br />
Total (%) 15% 10% 10% 8% 6% 10% 6% 6% 5% 4% 4% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 2%<br />
41
SPOTLIGHT - AGTECH<br />
NO. AGTECH <strong>STARTUP</strong>S<br />
19+<br />
Queensland’s Agriculture Sector<br />
Queensland’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry<br />
industries have an estimated production value of<br />
$14.7 billion, Queensland’s second biggest export<br />
earner. The sector directly employs over 90,000<br />
people and earns over $8.9 billion in exports. 40<br />
More than 90% of Queensland’s footprint is under<br />
some form of primary production.<br />
In Queensland, it is estimated that approximately<br />
88% of the jobs in agriculture and 53% of the<br />
jobs in food processing industries are regionally<br />
based. These jobs and the economic contribution<br />
they provide are the backbone of many rural and<br />
regional communities in Queensland. An estimated<br />
320,000 Queenslanders are employed across the<br />
whole food supply chain. This means that one in<br />
seven Queenslanders are either partially or entirely<br />
supported by the Agriculture sector. 41<br />
QLD AG EXPORTS BREAKDOWN<br />
Livestock<br />
products 5%<br />
Total<br />
slaughterings<br />
46%<br />
Other 1%<br />
Peanuts & oil seeds 0%<br />
Unless agriculture providers have a distinct<br />
export focus, a national problem is that there is<br />
very limited scope for growth. The population<br />
of Australia simply doesn’t support exponential<br />
growth - Jack Millbank, CEO, Hortus<br />
INCREASING DEMAND<br />
The global population is projected to reach 9<br />
billion by 2050. The increase in demand for<br />
agricultural produce is expected to rise by 70%,<br />
with the majority of this coming from the emerging<br />
middle class in Asia. Current growth rates in<br />
agriculture are simply not sufficient to meet these<br />
challenges. 39<br />
CEREAL CROP PRODUCTION (tonnes)<br />
Source: Farming First Green Economy 41<br />
5bn<br />
4bn<br />
3bn<br />
2bn<br />
1bn<br />
Oceania<br />
Europe<br />
Sugar cane 11%<br />
Cereals for grain 7%<br />
Fruit & nuts 10%<br />
Vegetables 9%<br />
Cotton 7%<br />
Crops for hay 1%<br />
Nurseries, flowers & turf 3%<br />
Asia<br />
Latin America<br />
predicted<br />
1961 70 80 90 2000 09 2050<br />
North America<br />
Africa<br />
NO. AGTECH COMPANIES<br />
29+<br />
Digital Farms & Funding<br />
Agriculture is in the middle of a digital revolution.<br />
The benefits of converging the digital and physical<br />
worlds are too valuable to ignore. In the not-sodistant<br />
future, constant connection between people,<br />
companies and products, in real-time, will be the<br />
norm. 42<br />
A rising tide of Australian and international reports<br />
have identified advances in agricultural technology<br />
as the key to long-term productivity gains.<br />
According to AgFunder’s AgTech Investing report,<br />
2014 AgTech funding had a record breaking<br />
year in the USA with $USD 2.36 billion raised<br />
across 264 financing deals. 43 This figure surpassed<br />
well-known sectors like fintech ($2.1 billion)<br />
and cleantech ($2 billion) and was 40% higher<br />
than the entire Australian venture and private<br />
equity investments over the same period across all<br />
industries. 2015 funding is expected to be $USD<br />
4.1 billion.<br />
GLOBAL AGTECH FUNDING 2010-2015<br />
Source: AgFunder Mid Year Report 44 $4.1<br />
Funding ($USD billions)<br />
Projected Funding<br />
$2.4<br />
$0.4<br />
$0.5<br />
$0.5<br />
$0.9<br />
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015<br />
From precision agriculture to biotech and drones,<br />
venture capitalists are actively investing in<br />
companies set on revolutionising how we grow,<br />
produce, and distribute food around the world. 43<br />
Source: AgFunder Mid Year Report 44<br />
United States<br />
Israel<br />
China<br />
India<br />
United Kingdom<br />
Canada<br />
Sweden<br />
France<br />
Germany<br />
Switzerland<br />
$1028M<br />
$510M<br />
$155M<br />
$111M<br />
$85M<br />
$35M<br />
$27M<br />
$24M<br />
$23M<br />
$22M<br />
Notably absent from the AgFunder’s data is<br />
Australia. AgFunder states that “whilst Australia<br />
has a large agriculture industry, we are not seeing<br />
much AgTech activity at all.” 42<br />
NO. QLD FARMS<br />
28,000+<br />
Queensland’s AgTech<br />
Regional Queensland has developed worldclass<br />
AgTech research capabilities with its<br />
universities and city-level clusters of agricultural<br />
expertise, such as robotics in Toowoomba, beef in<br />
Rockhampton or sugar in Mackay.<br />
Given the overall entrepreneurial AgTech activity<br />
in the region and the large number of significant<br />
multinational players, Regional Queensland can be<br />
a powerful influence in driving the growth of an<br />
Australian AgTech ecosystem and is ideally placed<br />
to supply growing demand and contribute to global<br />
food security.<br />
QLD AG TECH TYPES<br />
Drones<br />
Sensors<br />
Big Data<br />
Robotics<br />
Labour Hire<br />
Across Regional Queensland, advances in drones,<br />
robotics, and the Internet of Things, are helping<br />
regional entrepreneurs establish innovative new<br />
companies. Cloud computing and big data analysis<br />
are being utilised to help make sense of the vast<br />
amounts of agricultural data now able to be<br />
collected by these sensors.<br />
Organisations such as CSIRO and James Cook<br />
University are running a Digital Homestead 44<br />
project near Townsville that aims to evaluate<br />
and demonstrate technologies that enable better<br />
decision making on farms, leading to improved<br />
productivity and profitability.<br />
Nevertheless, there does not exist a strong<br />
regional AgTech identity. Various regions claim<br />
sole ownership of the “regional” or “tropical”<br />
identity and competition between regions and a<br />
narrowness of vision (only looking within the<br />
immediate region’s borders for beneficial economic<br />
opportunities) prevent larger inter-regional<br />
projects. Regional collaboration is needed to build<br />
a truly global AgTech brand.<br />
It is interesting to note that Sydney based<br />
accelerator BlueChilli is partnering with Westpac<br />
to encourage local entrepreneurs to develop new<br />
ideas and solutions for the agricultural sector,<br />
awarding $40,000 to the entrepreneur who<br />
develops the “most useful and innovative” digital<br />
solution for the bank’s agribusiness customers.<br />
Whilst this program is open to all Australians, there<br />
is no such program in Queensland. 45<br />
12<br />
8<br />
5<br />
1<br />
1<br />
42
PRECISION FARMING<br />
Precision agriculture is broadly defined as the group of hardware and software technologies that help<br />
farmers improve decision-making with data-driven analytics, including drones, robots and sensors. 35<br />
According to a report from the Boston Consulting Group, the use of precision farming technology will<br />
be the major trend reshaping farming worldwide by 2030. Precision farming uses data at the level of the<br />
square meter or decimeter, or even of a single plant, to optimise the consumption of inputs and make<br />
adjustments to accommodate variable characteristics within and among fields. Its spread will be enabled<br />
by the increased use of sensors, software and wireless connectivity on farming implements. 47<br />
GLOBAL AGTECH FUNDING 2014<br />
$2.36B<br />
PRECISIONAG <strong>STARTUP</strong> FUNDING 2014<br />
$276M<br />
RQ DRONE COMPANIES<br />
12+<br />
DRONES<br />
A growing ecosystem of Regional Queensland<br />
drone operators is already catering to a long<br />
list of clients in agriculture, land management,<br />
energy, and construction. Commercial drones<br />
have leapt far ahead of regulators and are already<br />
entrenched in a handful of massive industries.<br />
Many are small private companies and startups<br />
— although some large companies are beginning<br />
to invest in drone technology too.<br />
QLD SHARE OF DRONE CERTIFICATES<br />
WA - 15%<br />
VIC - 22%<br />
TAS - 2%<br />
SA- 5%<br />
There are currently 269 registered UAS<br />
(Unmanned Aerial Service) Operator Certificate<br />
Holders in Australia, with 72 (27%) registered<br />
across Queensland. Drone Technology is now<br />
proliferating at an extraordinary rate, with<br />
capability and performance doubling every<br />
18 months, and price continuing to plummet.<br />
Nevertheless, to become a CASA (Civil Aviation<br />
Safety Authority) certified holder, the approvals<br />
process can take months and costs thousands of<br />
dollars, with applicants required to complete about<br />
90% of a conventional private pilot’s course.<br />
CASE STUDY: DESERT CHANNELS<br />
ACT - 2%<br />
NSW - 26%<br />
NT - 1%<br />
QLD - 27%<br />
Desert Channels Queensland has begun using an<br />
unmanned drone helicopter to control the spread<br />
of weeds in western Queensland. The drone is<br />
vital in the battle to manage massive prickly<br />
acacia infestations in areas of Queensland<br />
that have previously been inaccessible, as it<br />
can deploy more weed spray and pellets on an<br />
affected area in five hours than a landholder<br />
could in five days.<br />
RQ ROBOTIC COMPANIES<br />
1+<br />
ROBOTICS<br />
The global agricultural industry is quickly moving<br />
towards full automation. Agricultural robots<br />
automate business processes, meet stringent<br />
hygiene and safety regulations, work 24 hours<br />
a day, and relieve human workers of physically<br />
arduous tasks. Robotics and automation can play<br />
a significant role in Regional Queensland meeting<br />
projected 2040 agricultural production needs.<br />
WinterGreen research in a 2014 report, projects the<br />
global agricultural robot market size to grow from<br />
$817 million in 2013 to $16.3 billion by 2020. 48<br />
PROJECTED GROWTH AGROBOTIC MARKET<br />
$18B<br />
$16B<br />
$14B<br />
$12B<br />
$10B<br />
$8B<br />
$6B<br />
$4B<br />
$2B<br />
0<br />
2013<br />
2014<br />
2015<br />
2016<br />
2017<br />
2018<br />
2019<br />
A few local initiatives are integrating robotics into<br />
the Regional Queensland ecosystem. The JCU<br />
Robotics club organises regular meetups, and<br />
events like RoboCup and Robogals are leading the<br />
way in driving up local interest.<br />
“Now, the faraway labourer – or intelligent<br />
machine – is available for hire and may be<br />
better endowed than the local labourer in skill or<br />
price or speed of work, or with the efficiency of<br />
organisation, or whatever is required to win the<br />
customer.” - McKinsey Compete to Prosper 49<br />
CASE STUDY: SWARMFARM ROBOTICS<br />
2020<br />
Andrew Bate’s AgBot 19 development company,<br />
SwarmFarm Robotics, in partnership with QUT<br />
has developed the AgBot, a light-weight, driverless<br />
buggy that can self navigate around a 4000-hectare<br />
wheat farm using low-cost sensors, eradicating<br />
small weeds and causing minimal damage to soil.<br />
RQ IOT COMPANIES<br />
13+<br />
INTERNET OF THINGS<br />
More and more Regional Queensland organisations<br />
are building hardware and web based platforms for<br />
farmers to optimise resource management.<br />
Despite global investor interest in agriculture<br />
technology, it’s a little known fact that farming has<br />
been, and continues to be, among the most fertile<br />
laboratories for Internet of Things (IoT) innovation<br />
and large-scale adoption. 42<br />
The rise of sensor based technology is promising<br />
and represents an innovative way for Regional<br />
Queensland to become a global IP leader.<br />
Soil carbon sensors, soil sensors and analytics<br />
that help make sense of the sheer vastness of data<br />
generated by these systems are strong emerging<br />
regional themes, with IP being held in the region,<br />
and sold across Australia.<br />
CASE STUDY: THERMACULTURE<br />
ThermaCulture is a Cairns based solar energy<br />
based system that assists agricultural growers to<br />
achieve optimal growing conditions using soil<br />
temperature regulation.<br />
ThermaCulture was established in 2015.<br />
ThermaCulture uses sensors and electronic devices<br />
to regulate temperatures of the subsoil region of<br />
horticultural crops to improve crop viability as well<br />
as provide a reduced chemical method to combat<br />
soil-borne pests. It also has the ability to encourage<br />
crop production in non-traditional regions, and to<br />
diversify crops in normally crop specific areas.<br />
43
SPOTLIGHT - SAFETYCULTURE<br />
SHARED AUDIT TEMPLATES<br />
54,000+<br />
EMPLOYEES<br />
48<br />
TOTAL FUNDING<br />
$5.7M<br />
COUNTRIES ACTIVE<br />
209+<br />
DAILY INSPECTIONS<br />
32,000+<br />
GLOBAL USERS<br />
500,000+<br />
ABOUT SAFETY CULTURE<br />
SafetyCulture is a software development company<br />
founded in Townsville. In 2011 the company<br />
noticed the penetration of smartphones in everyday<br />
life. From that point on Luke Anear, CEO started<br />
testing and developing solutions for safety in<br />
the workplace, based around a smartphone app<br />
platform. The result was iAuditor, the most used<br />
safety audit app in the world.<br />
The team has now grown to 48 employees.<br />
Over half of those are engineers, supported by a<br />
customer support team, a marketing & PR team<br />
and a design & user experience team, with offices<br />
in Townsville, Sydney and Kansas.<br />
Safety Culture took home the 2015 Best<br />
Regional Startup Gong at the national<br />
StartupSmart awards. The annual awards<br />
recognise the most innovative and fastest<br />
growing technology businesses in Australia.<br />
SafetyCulture was initially funded in 2013 by<br />
Blackbird Ventures and Commercialisation<br />
Australia. A second funding round saw Scott<br />
Farquhar, Co-Founder of Atlassian invest in 2014.<br />
SafetyCulture’s biggest market is the US with<br />
28.5% of its users based there, followed by the UK<br />
with 26%.<br />
John Bruce-Smith, Atlassian’s former chief<br />
financial officer, is now CFO on a part-time basis<br />
at SafetyCulture. Atlassian’s fourth employee<br />
Anton Mazkovoi has joined to head up the Sydney<br />
team as VP of Engineering, bringing a wealth of<br />
experience from building one of Australia’s most<br />
successful tech companies to SafetyCulture.<br />
SafetyCulture now has 500,000+ users, and<br />
has racked up over 12 million inspections in 80<br />
countries.<br />
ABOUT IAUDITOR<br />
In 2012, SafetyCulture released iAuditor, the<br />
world’s most used app for conducting safety<br />
inspections, and in 2014 iAuditor won the<br />
international Tabby Awards for best Data<br />
Collection App, and best Business App. iAuditor<br />
is used in 209 countries and is part of the<br />
SafetyCulture safety and quality management<br />
system.<br />
iAuditor builds checklists, conducts inspections<br />
and files reports from a mobile phone or tablet.<br />
The app transforms a typically paper based<br />
industry to a digital one, where individuals can do<br />
7-8 times the inspections they used to. Checklists<br />
can easily be created with drag and drop editing<br />
interface or they can download one of 50,000<br />
templates from the public library.<br />
The iAuditor community now creates, curates and manages the<br />
world’s largest collection of inspection checklists.<br />
Using the iAuditor app, a US company with 8,000<br />
wind turbines saves over $USD 1 million a year<br />
in inspection costs.<br />
iAuditor was recently promoted across Apple<br />
globally and listed in the Next-Gen Apps section<br />
of the App Store. It was the main image on the<br />
iPhone apps for business page on Apple.com<br />
and listed on the iPad apps for business page<br />
alongside the likes of Evernote and Box.<br />
Luke Anear, CEO<br />
As SafetyCulture’s Chief executive officer,<br />
Luke Anear is responsible for the day to day<br />
management of SafetyCulture. He works closely<br />
with the software engineering teams and drives<br />
product innovation. Luke was a worker’s<br />
compensation investigator and practice manager<br />
in Sydney until 2002.<br />
LUKE ON TOWNSVILLE<br />
SafetyCulture is a shining beacon for regional<br />
technology startups. CEO Luke Anear offers the<br />
following insights from a recent interview:<br />
“Only three years ago it was “We don’t know<br />
if we can do this from Townsville. Maybe we’re<br />
going to have to go to Sydney, or Silicon Valley.”<br />
Now, I know the answer to that. We can do it from<br />
here. We have.”<br />
Scaling a global business quickly brings its<br />
own challenges. Luke offers some insights into<br />
growing his regional team.<br />
“We’re bringing in engineers from Italy, or<br />
France, or Sweden and paying for their visas and<br />
helping them with accommodation. Townsville,<br />
being a regional city has lower accommodation<br />
costs, so that’s something that we can help with,<br />
but it also has a great lifestyle and climate, so<br />
we promote the tropical lifestyle and attract<br />
people to it, so I think it’s about using some of<br />
those advantages as incentives and using them as<br />
strengths”<br />
Luke outlined how important the National<br />
Broadband Network was to technology companies<br />
based in Townsville.<br />
“To be able to get the high speed internet, where<br />
you can build a business is a huge asset to<br />
Townsville, and I think going forward it means<br />
that they’ve got the infrastructure there to be<br />
able to build companies and tech businesses<br />
that can reach the world and are not limited by<br />
bandwidth.”<br />
As SafetyCulture began to rapidly grow Luke<br />
found they needed people with specific key skills<br />
that were challenging to find in, or attract to,<br />
Townsville. This led SafetyCulture to expand its<br />
offices to Sydney and Kansas.<br />
“As we needed more senior people who had<br />
families, who were a bit older and had stronger<br />
roots in bigger markets like Sydney, you then<br />
started to realise it was getting harder to attract<br />
those senior people and that’s why we then started<br />
on the Sydney team.”<br />
44
“ ONLY THREE YEARS AGO IT WAS<br />
‘WE DON’T KNOW IF WE CAN DO<br />
THIS FROM TOWNSVILLE. MAYBE<br />
WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO<br />
SYDNEY, OR SILICON VALLEY.’<br />
NOW, I KNOW THE ANSWER TO<br />
THAT. WE CAN DO IT FROM HERE.<br />
WE HAVE.”<br />
LUKE ANEAR<br />
CEO, SAFETYCULTURE
COMMUNITY INSIGHTS<br />
As part of the project, seven regional workshops<br />
with 100 participants and 30 interviews<br />
were held with key members of each regional<br />
ecosystem. Participants were asked to discuss,<br />
identify and vote on “which issues were critical to<br />
the growth of the regions startup ecosystem”, and<br />
discuss the actions which would address these<br />
challenges. Votes are weighted proportionately by<br />
the relative sizes of each region’s population. The<br />
top seven issues in order of total weighted votes<br />
from all regions were:<br />
TOP COMMUNITY ISSUES:<br />
RANKED BY WEIGHTED VOTES<br />
Talent & Skills<br />
Collaboration & Networking<br />
Infrastructure<br />
Funding<br />
Raise Awareness<br />
Culture<br />
Education<br />
TALENT AND SKILLS<br />
19%<br />
18%<br />
16%<br />
16%<br />
15%<br />
10%<br />
5%<br />
Building, attracting, and retaining talent was<br />
seen as a critical factor across all regions.<br />
Participants in the Ipswich workshop (33% of<br />
all votes), Rockhampton (22%) and Townsville<br />
(23%) viewed this as the priority issue facing the<br />
development of a robust local ecosystem.<br />
The region’s ‘brain drain’ is a pressing factor<br />
that surfaced continuously. Retaining a critical<br />
mass of talent is of paramount importance to the<br />
growth of a regional ecosystem.<br />
Whilst this report does not seek to provide<br />
solutions to population growth and greater<br />
regional development, it is clear that some<br />
regions have incredibly thin STEM talent bases,<br />
with the vast majority of local graduates moving<br />
away from the region in search of better job<br />
opportunities.<br />
Participants in Cairns and Townsville mentioned<br />
that attracting talent to the region was<br />
increasingly becoming a problem and the wage<br />
gap for software engineers in the regions was also<br />
a large barrier to recruitment. Rarely were we<br />
presented with the idea of talent outflow being a<br />
positive occurrence, even if that talent was able<br />
to move back at a later date.<br />
COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS<br />
Collaboration and networking was the second<br />
highest issue raised. Participants in Toowoomba<br />
(33%), Mackay (23%) and Rockhampton (19%)<br />
viewed this as a priority issue.<br />
Increasing the breadth and depth of collaboration,<br />
identifying local mentors, creating local skills<br />
directories and providing financial support from<br />
both state and local government for key nodes<br />
was seen as vital to the continued growth of the<br />
ecosystem. Establishing both physical and digital<br />
hubs was seen as critical in most regions. Startup<br />
Toowoomba, Startup Townsville, theSpace<br />
Cairns, Mentor Blaze and Startup Weekend<br />
events are superb examples of networks that<br />
bring the local community together.<br />
INFRASTRUCTURE<br />
For participants within the Cairns (29%),<br />
Toowoomba (31%) and Mackay (23%) regions,<br />
the most critical infrastructure issue was access to<br />
physical space and the isolation that this results<br />
in.<br />
With only Cairns and Toowoomba having opened<br />
up co-working spaces, participants in other<br />
regions lacked a central location to work, meet<br />
and network. The sporadic rollout of the NBN<br />
was seen as another central issue, with many<br />
regions having NBN coverage in residential areas<br />
but not in the CBD. Nevertheless, participants<br />
in Townsville rated the NBN as being the core<br />
enabler to the growth of their startups.<br />
FUNDING INNOVATION<br />
Across all regions, access to early-stage funding<br />
ranked as a critical challenge for startups. The<br />
shortage of funding was particularly pronounced<br />
at the angel and early seed investment stage.<br />
Participants in Townsville (23%), Ipswich (19%)<br />
and Bundaberg (18%) rated this as a high barrier<br />
to growth. The lack of formal angel investment<br />
groups across the regions has led to the vast<br />
majority of startups bootstrapping growth.<br />
Analysis from AngelList, the world’s leading<br />
angel investment platform returned no active<br />
investors in each region, and very few were<br />
identified in our workshop interviews. Significant<br />
efforts are needed to form local investment<br />
groups, starting initially with informal group<br />
meetups to educate angels on the benefits of<br />
scalable tech companies.<br />
RAISE AWARENESS<br />
The fifth priority issue identified across all<br />
regions was that of raising community awareness<br />
of the tech industry. For regional ecosystems to<br />
develop and contribute to regional GDP, there<br />
needs to be greater effort to build awareness of<br />
what startups are and how they differ from small<br />
business.<br />
Participants in Bundaberg (22%), Townsville<br />
(18%) and Toowoomba (13%) viewed this as a<br />
priority issue. Raising awareness was also seen<br />
as a critical factor in attracting investment from<br />
local high net worths, of which very few had any<br />
understanding of technology. Participants also<br />
identified celebrating the success of local startups<br />
as a key issue for the growth of the startup<br />
ecosystem, and leveraging local influencers and<br />
media to spread success stories and generate<br />
community understanding and awareness of local<br />
tech innovation.<br />
CULTURE<br />
Participants from all regions said a culture of<br />
entrepreneurship and innovation needs to be<br />
developed within each local ecosystem if we are<br />
to create globally-relevant technology companies.<br />
Specific cultural themes that inhibited innovative<br />
entrepreneurship included; lack of an appetite<br />
for risk; entrepreneurial spirit; global ambition;<br />
resistance to change; business confidence;<br />
and, investor understanding of the impacts of<br />
technology.<br />
While developing a culture of entrepreneurship<br />
and innovation comes in highly on the ranking,<br />
in many ways it underpins the challenges faced<br />
within all the other issues discussed.<br />
EDUCATION<br />
Across all seven regions, education was seen as<br />
vital to creating strong ecosystems. Increasing<br />
regional participation in STEM courses was<br />
seen as a urgent issue. Bundaberg in particular<br />
was faced with the problem of having no local<br />
graduates in ICT after Central Queensland<br />
University dropped the degree from the local<br />
campus. Participants highlighted the lack of<br />
suitably educated and experienced entrepreneurs<br />
in the local region, whilst a strong theme was<br />
the lack of coding courses in the current school<br />
curriculum. Events like RoboCup and Startup<br />
Weekend EDU (Cairns) are trying to bridge<br />
this gap. Workshop and interview participants<br />
across all regions lamented the low and declining<br />
number of Computer Science graduates and<br />
identified this as a critical long-term challenge.<br />
Access to mentors with experience building<br />
global technology companies was also a<br />
particular challenge.<br />
46
TOP SEVEN COMMUNITY ISSUES BY REGION<br />
Community Issues<br />
Ranking by<br />
Weighted Votes<br />
Toowoomba Ipswich Bundaberg Rockhampton Mackay Townsville Cairns Weighted Votes<br />
Sum<br />
Talent & Skills 1 0% 33% 12% 22% 20% 23% 16% 19%<br />
Collaboration<br />
& Networking<br />
2 31% 19% 10% 19% 23% 18% 5% 18%<br />
Infrastructure 3 31% 5% 18% 11% 23% 0% 29% 16%<br />
Funding 4 13% 19% 18% 15% 10% 23% 10% 16%<br />
Raise<br />
Awareness<br />
5 13% 14% 22% 11% 17% 18% 11% 15%<br />
Culture 6 0% 5% 0% 11% 0% 18% 29% 10%<br />
Education 7 13% 0% 20% 4% 7% 0% 0% 5%<br />
Total 100% 95% 100% 93% 100% 100% 100% 98%<br />
TOP FOURTEEN COMMUNITY ACTIONS BY REGION<br />
Community Actions<br />
Hub / Coworking<br />
Space<br />
Local Angel /<br />
VC Group<br />
Ranking by<br />
Weighted Votes<br />
Toowoomba Ipswich Bundaberg Rockhampton Mackay Townsville Cairns Weighted Votes<br />
1 38% 33% 0% 0% 23% 24% 25% 24%<br />
2 6% 10% 4% 14% 30% 33% 0% 14%<br />
Education Program 3 6% 24% 13% 0% 0% 22% 10% 12%<br />
Brand / Culture 4 0% 10% 9% 0% 7% 18% 22% 10%<br />
Collaboration &<br />
Networking<br />
Govt Provide<br />
Supportive Role<br />
5 19% 0% 11% 43% 10% 4% 0% 10%<br />
6 0% 14% 4% 0% 0% 0% 13% 5%<br />
Startup Apprentice 7 0% 0% 0% 0% 20% 0% 17% 5%<br />
Skills Directory 8 0% 0% 9% 24% 0% 0% 5% 4%<br />
Highlight Success<br />
Stories<br />
Govt Incentive -<br />
Accelerators<br />
Govt Incentive -<br />
Infrastructure<br />
Form Leadership<br />
Group<br />
Communication<br />
Network<br />
Communication<br />
Hub<br />
9 13% 0% 13% 0% 0% 0% 0% 3%<br />
10 19% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 3%<br />
11 0% 0% 24% 5% 0% 0% 0% 3%<br />
12 0% 0% 11% 0% 0% 0% 8% 2%<br />
13 0% 5% 2% 14% 0% 0% 0% 2%<br />
14 0% 0% 0% 0% 10% 0% 0% 1%<br />
Total All 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%<br />
Total Top 14 100% 95% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 99%<br />
47
THANK YOU<br />
WORKSHOPS<br />
Thankyou to the following people<br />
for generously providing their<br />
time to attend the community<br />
workshops:<br />
Aaron Young<br />
Abiy Feleke<br />
Adam Young<br />
Adrien Lang<br />
Amanda Spelta<br />
Amy Turnball<br />
Andrew Beckenhauer<br />
Andrew Bridges<br />
Andrew Joy<br />
Andrew Kliese<br />
Ann Moffatt<br />
Anna Daniels<br />
Ben Taylor<br />
Ben Wearmouth<br />
Bill Hopton<br />
Blake Pelling<br />
Bronwyn Voyce<br />
Cameron Bisley<br />
Carmel Humphries<br />
Chris Bonanno<br />
Chris Bosomworth<br />
Chris Harris<br />
Chris Keegan<br />
Chris Mills<br />
Christine Bell<br />
Christine Doan<br />
Col Greensill<br />
Colin Cole<br />
Colin Strydom<br />
Colleen Cooling<br />
Craig Thamm<br />
Dale Edney<br />
Dale Holliss<br />
Damien Zammit<br />
Dan Willersdorf<br />
Daniel Lundh<br />
Daniel Reeves<br />
Dannielle Walz<br />
Darren Cooke<br />
Darryl Posgate<br />
David Beitey<br />
David Cole<br />
David Finnis<br />
David Fredericks<br />
David Masefield<br />
David McCalllum<br />
David Newby<br />
Deborah Mead<br />
Debra Howe<br />
Deirdre Comerford<br />
Dennis Murphy<br />
Derel Wust<br />
Diana Johnston<br />
Dieter Bohm<br />
Donna Kellion<br />
Donna Patane<br />
Dr Terry McCosker<br />
Dylan Furnell<br />
Dzemal Solo<br />
Edwina Pettiford<br />
Elliot Strickland<br />
Elvire Callaghan<br />
Fiona Bishop-Vuibeqa<br />
Fiona Bowden<br />
Fred Goodwin<br />
Garry Watkins<br />
Gemma Ruge<br />
Geoff Farr<br />
Geoff Fleming<br />
Geoff Higgins<br />
Grace Keogh<br />
Graham Keidge<br />
Helen Caruso<br />
Helen Newell<br />
Ian Atkinson<br />
Ian Devenish<br />
Jack Milbank<br />
Jamie Armer<br />
Jane Scowcroft<br />
Jane Whyte<br />
Jarryd Townson<br />
Jason Ephraims<br />
Jason Foss<br />
Jason Krenske<br />
Jason Ramm<br />
Jason Rickert<br />
Jason Rozycki<br />
Jason Spence<br />
Jay Daniells<br />
Jayne Thorpe<br />
Jo Luck<br />
Joanne Hall<br />
Jodie Stanley<br />
Joe Hoolahan<br />
John Mlikota<br />
John Williams<br />
Jordan Murphy<br />
Joy Taylor<br />
Karl Sheedy<br />
Kay Strong<br />
Kellie Bowie<br />
Kieren Jamieson<br />
Kim Kelly<br />
Komal Bandi<br />
Kristy Gostelow<br />
Krystal King<br />
Kurt Alexander<br />
Kurt Pudniks<br />
Kylie Jackson<br />
Kylie Radel<br />
Lassara Reinke<br />
Laura Fealy<br />
Leah Harris<br />
Leanne Griffin<br />
Leanne Rudd<br />
Lee Rowlands<br />
Lindon Lawn<br />
Lisa Christensen<br />
Lisa New<br />
Luke Brunsman<br />
Madonna Iliffe<br />
Mark Lalor<br />
Mark Matthews<br />
mark Robinson<br />
Mark Thomas<br />
Marlies Hobbs<br />
Matt Daniels<br />
Matt Drane<br />
Matt Hanson<br />
Matt McKinley<br />
Matt Templeton<br />
Matthew Schultz<br />
Michael Jones<br />
Michael Kaddatz<br />
Michael Kurkowski<br />
Michael McGrath<br />
Michelle Hoban<br />
Mick Storch<br />
Mike Goebel<br />
Nanjappa Ashwath<br />
Naomi Brownless<br />
Natasha Wells<br />
Nathaniel Armer<br />
Neil McPhillips<br />
Nick Bennett<br />
Nicole Hambleton<br />
Nicole Rankin<br />
Nigel Wadsworth<br />
Nikki Wright<br />
Noel Kelly<br />
Nola Pontifex<br />
Owen Rippingale<br />
Patrick Logue<br />
Paul Fagg<br />
Paul Stewart<br />
Paul Wyatt<br />
Penny Hall<br />
Peter Bender<br />
Peter Hockings<br />
Peter Peterson<br />
Peter Wilson<br />
Petros Khalesirad<br />
Phil Baker<br />
Phil Brown<br />
Pierre Viljoen<br />
Prashant Murphy<br />
Rhonda Whiteside<br />
Richard Chappell<br />
Rick Palmer<br />
Rob Doyle<br />
Robert Buhrke<br />
Rod Ainsworth<br />
Rod Sercombe<br />
Rose Swadling<br />
Rowena Hardy<br />
Roy Pidgeon<br />
Roy Wybrow<br />
Russell Savage<br />
Samuel Costin<br />
Samuel Pavin<br />
Sarah Palmer<br />
Sarah-Joy Pierce<br />
Scott Allcott<br />
Shaminda de Silva<br />
Shane Hannant<br />
Shane Ridley<br />
Shelley Pisani<br />
Simone Dakin<br />
Stephen Cheng<br />
Stephen Clarkson<br />
Stephen Dumment<br />
Stephen Moore<br />
Stephen Schmidt<br />
Steve Howard<br />
Steve Knight<br />
Steven Hambleton<br />
Stuart Elkins<br />
Stuart King<br />
Susan Milner<br />
Suzi Carson<br />
Symon Pritchett<br />
Tazman Schmidt<br />
Teona Cousin<br />
Terry Hurlock<br />
Thomas Block<br />
Tia Lea Austin<br />
Tim Butler<br />
Tim Neale<br />
Tim Stevenson<br />
Tracie Regan<br />
Trish Mears<br />
Troy Haines<br />
Troy Pettiford<br />
Wayne Stanley<br />
Yale Morgan<br />
INTERVIEWS<br />
Thank you to the following people<br />
for generously providing their time<br />
to be interviewed for this report:<br />
Andrew Bate<br />
Andrew Bekenhauer<br />
Casey Brown<br />
Chris Harris<br />
Chris Mills<br />
Damian Zammit,<br />
Daniel Reeves<br />
Darren Cooke<br />
Daryl Postgate<br />
David Masefield<br />
David McCallum<br />
Dennis Murphy<br />
Dr Terry McCosker<br />
Garry Ellis<br />
Ian Atkinson<br />
Jack Millbank<br />
Jason Foss<br />
Joe Hoolaran<br />
Johhny Cheng<br />
John Williams<br />
Leanne Griffin<br />
Luke Anear<br />
Mark Matthews<br />
Mat Drane<br />
Matt Hanson<br />
Matt McKinley<br />
Matthew Schultz<br />
Mick Storch<br />
Paul Wyatt<br />
Phil Baker<br />
Richard Chappel<br />
Roy Wybrow<br />
Shane Ridley<br />
Steven Hambleton<br />
Stuart King<br />
Troy Haines<br />
48
“<br />
TECHNOLOGY IS NO LONGER A VERTICAL<br />
INDUSTRY, AS ITS BEEN UNDERSTOOD<br />
BY EVERYONE FOR FOUR DECADES.<br />
TECHNOLOGY IS NOW A HORIZONTAL,<br />
ENABLING FORCE THROUGHOUT THE<br />
WHOLE ECONOMY.” 3<br />
JOHN BATTELLE<br />
THE ECONOMIST<br />
49
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51. Ipswich Gross Regional Product, 30th June 2014, (http://economy.id.com.au/ipswich/gross-product)<br />
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Research/Facts_Figures/20140601_bundaberg_region_facts_figures.pdf)<br />
53. Rockhampton Gross Regional Product, 30th June 2014, (http://economy.id.com.au/rockhampton/gross-product)<br />
54. Mackay Gross Regional Product, 30th June 2014, (http://economic-indicators.id.com.au/?StateId=3)<br />
55. Townsville Gross Regional Product, 30th June 2014, (http://economic-indicators.id.com.au/?StateId=3)<br />
56. Cairns Gross Regional Product, 30th June 2014, (http://economy.id.com.au/Cairns/gross-product)<br />
57. Popilation numbers were sourced from the the relevant local council.<br />
50
Green Valley Digital<br />
Jay Daniells<br />
Andrew Whitlock<br />
Diggy<br />
101 Business Group<br />
Michael Waters<br />
Owen Rippingale<br />
Peta Neale<br />
David Withers<br />
Thales<br />
Queensland Investment Corporation<br />
Richard Chappell<br />
Matt McKinley<br />
Microair<br />
Minstaff Survey Pty Ltd<br />
Procedures Online<br />
Precision Agriculture<br />
Bundaberg Region Rising<br />
BigMate<br />
Tim Neale<br />
Phil Ainsworth<br />
Andrew Beckenhauer<br />
Conetix Web Hosting<br />
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service<br />
Peta Jamieson<br />
Stephen Moore<br />
Chris Jenkins<br />
Graham Smith<br />
BMA<br />
HelloClaims<br />
UAView<br />
Jabiru<br />
Mick Storch<br />
Garry France<br />
Rodney Stiff<br />
Bundaberg Regional Council<br />
mangoesmapping<br />
Inspection Apps<br />
Chris Mills<br />
Peter Byrne<br />
Real Time Instruments Tony Crowley<br />
DEC-MECH<br />
Townsville Lean Network<br />
Shane Ridley<br />
Matt Hanson<br />
ResPax<br />
Ashley Walker<br />
Robert Sluggett<br />
Kristy Gostelow<br />
Strategenics<br />
Glenn Skerman<br />
Snipe<br />
PakYak<br />
Otrain<br />
Greg Skerman<br />
Farmacist<br />
AgData<br />
Neil McPhillips Kadence Group<br />
Junta Simon lenoir<br />
AUFO<br />
Defence Materiel Organisation<br />
AgData Australia MyPool Inspection<br />
BetsWithFriends Andrew Bills<br />
Unisys<br />
Stephen Dummett<br />
Darryl Postgate<br />
NQ UAV<br />
Mark Matthews<br />
George Corea<br />
David Cole<br />
Australian Digital Futures Institute<br />
River City Labs<br />
Stephen Baxter<br />
Almost Anything<br />
ShareStuff<br />
Wishbone Communications<br />
Peta Ellis<br />
Westpac<br />
John Thornely<br />
hello claims<br />
Paul Pisasale<br />
Richard Sazima Australian Army Queensland Health<br />
Startup Townsville<br />
Benjamin Taylor<br />
University of Southern Queensland<br />
Supercell Media<br />
NQ Innovate<br />
Matthew Tebble<br />
Make it Strategic<br />
RiverPitch<br />
500 Startups<br />
Royal Australian Navy<br />
Solidfacts NQ Victor Attwood Joe Hoolahan<br />
Sandra Harding<br />
Digital Physics<br />
Helen Farley<br />
Glen Rice<br />
Broadband Today Alliance<br />
Department of Defence<br />
Strictly Service<br />
JESI<br />
Darren Cooke<br />
Kurt Pudniks<br />
Thought Select Andrew Whannell<br />
Matthew Schultz<br />
Engineers Australia<br />
Startup Cairns<br />
LogiCamms<br />
Jesse Gileppa Code Valley<br />
GHD<br />
Helen Newell<br />
Daniel Peacock<br />
Alan Jones<br />
Rhonda Whiteside<br />
Alan Brown<br />
ABB Industry<br />
Get Back 2 Basics<br />
Startup Mackay David Finnish<br />
University of Queensland<br />
Peter Watson<br />
Damian Zammit<br />
Ergon Energy<br />
Ipswich City Council<br />
ShareBoat Technologies<br />
Wide Bay Volunteers<br />
David Morrison<br />
James Cook University<br />
Oz Apps<br />
My Water Filter<br />
Dennis Murphy<br />
University of Wisconsin Madison<br />
Townsville ICT Business Network<br />
Jodie Stanley<br />
theSpace Cairns<br />
Mick Scott<br />
Damian Zammit<br />
ASSOB<br />
Sally Kift<br />
Upson Downs Imaging Services<br />
Chris Cocklin<br />
Unity Finn<br />
iAMConnected<br />
Troy Haines<br />
Wow Factor<br />
FNQ Apartments<br />
Xerospace Australasia<br />
Osmotion<br />
Robert Gilmour<br />
David Beitey<br />
Therma Culture<br />
Narain Ramakrishnan<br />
Hummingbird<br />
David Henry<br />
Terry Kearney<br />
Startup Weekend<br />
Experimental<br />
Unicorns<br />
Springfield Land Corporation<br />
John Williams<br />
SaferData<br />
David Masefield<br />
Charles Darwin University<br />
Central Queensland University<br />
Andrew Joy<br />
2bit Studios<br />
Roy Pidgeon<br />
QR<br />
CSIRO Hilary Winchester<br />
SafetyCulture<br />
Adam Young<br />
Ian Devenish<br />
CatchLog<br />
Ecosure<br />
Robert Buhrke<br />
Christine Bell<br />
EnviroSource<br />
Intritec<br />
Rodney Archdall<br />
Phil Baker<br />
Iceberg Innovation<br />
Dieter Bohm<br />
TedX Rockhampton<br />
Dave Swain<br />
Robert Buhrke<br />
iMeasure<br />
Peter Milani<br />
Tony Best<br />
Andrew Bate<br />
Brett Bundock<br />
HoverCam<br />
Joanna Batstone<br />
SwarmFarm Robotics<br />
Kerry Purcell<br />
Ji Shen<br />
Glen Garner<br />
ESRI<br />
Konveen<br />
Nicholas Flor<br />
Emma Monro<br />
Steven Hambleton<br />
Sales VA<br />
IBM Australia<br />
Shedproject<br />
Joy Taylor<br />
Kix Fit<br />
Terry McCosker<br />
Smart HR Solutions<br />
emailancer Aden Tranter<br />
TAFE QLD<br />
Anton Mazkovoi<br />
Chris Brown<br />
John Mlikota<br />
WR Grace<br />
David Newby<br />
inCapital<br />
Carbon Link<br />
Insight Creative<br />
Dr Larry Marshall<br />
Luke Anear<br />
D2K<br />
Insite SJC<br />
John Bruce-Smith<br />
Comit<br />
Mr Craig Roy<br />
Happy Healthy Kidz Australia<br />
Startup Toowoomba<br />
Chris Bosomworth<br />
Skydronics<br />
Leanne Griffin<br />
Eat Smart B Active<br />
Innov8<br />
Eduhealth Plus<br />
Stuart Pocknee<br />
Matthew Drane<br />
Jenny Legge<br />
QIT Plus<br />
Mark Venz<br />
Canvas Co-Working<br />
Caked On<br />
Mitch Miller<br />
Scan2Convert<br />
Gilmour Space Corp<br />
David McCallum<br />
Fierce Ventures<br />
Adam Gilmour<br />
Grant Bajema<br />
JobFit Systems<br />
BajTech<br />
Martin Oates<br />
Craig Hodges<br />
James Gilmour<br />
Site Specific Software Solutions<br />
Stuart King<br />
Hortus<br />
QLD Emergency Medicine Research Foundation<br />
Chris Madsen<br />
Jason Spence<br />
Jack Milbank<br />
Nicky Jurd<br />
Tyson Clarke<br />
Lisa van den Berg<br />
Best Practice Software<br />
ClinicalHub<br />
iAssist<br />
Precedence<br />
Bargara Brewing Company<br />
Tradiesweb Focuss WebTraf<br />
Voista<br />
Rail Innovation Australia<br />
Kaj Haffenden<br />
Elise Wyandra Warring<br />
Lorraine Pyefinch<br />
Queensland Property Advice<br />
Biofilm Crop Protection<br />
Frank Pyefinch<br />
Symon Pritchett Jeffrey Smidt<br />
Vince O'Rourke<br />
tourstogo.com<br />
Dale Edney<br />
Natasha Wells Patrick Latter<br />
Tourback<br />
Don Neal<br />
Site Specific Software Solutions<br />
Anna Daniel<br />
Vivia<br />
Koolivoo<br />
Didgigo<br />
SamTheWaiter<br />
Dynamic Conversations<br />
CurvyDames<br />
Casey Brown<br />
Agri Labour Australia<br />
Precision Terrain Solutions<br />
NFA<br />
Circuit Wiz<br />
Aaron Pirie<br />
Carol Hautot<br />
My Footy Boots<br />
Scripti<br />
David C. Wajsgras<br />
Taylor W. Lawrence<br />
Polaris Data Centre<br />
Raytheon<br />
Relocations2go<br />
Greg Stamper<br />
Acubis<br />
Why Not Tours<br />
Sam Leo<br />
Droner<br />
Global Store Solutions<br />
Matt Ewing<br />
Sakure<br />
BitPlex<br />
Insta Connect Elliot Strickland<br />
Airmap3D<br />
yRepublic<br />
Nicole Hambleton<br />
Barry Knights<br />
Phil Martin<br />
Anthony Dukes<br />
Mogtastic<br />
nupath<br />
Bronwyn Voyce<br />
Inmarketing<br />
GamePlan Global Solutions<br />
Michael Sloggett<br />
Nathaniel Armer<br />
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks<br />
Taste Paradise Tropical North Queensland<br />
Daniel Lundh<br />
Adam Williams<br />
CloudSpark<br />
Second to none Nutrition<br />
Ian Irving<br />
Jamie Armer<br />
OrbStudio<br />
TenderHound<br />
4tel<br />
Townsville City Council<br />
John McLean<br />
Darren Smith<br />
Northrup Grummond<br />
Rent Resume<br />
Greg Bruce<br />
A Few Extra Bucks
THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT IS<br />
INVESTING, THROUGH THE ADVANCE<br />
QUEENSLAND INITIATIVE,<br />
$180 MILLION OVER FOUR YEARS TO<br />
CREATE THE KNOWLEDGE BASED<br />
JOBS OF THE FUTURE.<br />
52
“ UNLESS AGRICULTURE PROVIDERS<br />
HAVE A DISTINCT EXPORT FOCUS, A<br />
NATIONAL PROBLEM IS THAT THERE<br />
IS VERY LIMITED SCOPE FOR GROWTH.<br />
THE POPULATION OF AUSTRALIA<br />
SIMPLY DOESN’T SUPPORT<br />
EXPONENTIAL GROWTH.”<br />
JACK MILLBANK<br />
CEO, HORTUS<br />
53
n boundlss<br />
AUTHORS<br />
Nick Markham, Mike Kruger and Jonah<br />
Cacioppe from Boundlss. Produced for and in<br />
partnership with the Queensland Department of<br />
Science, Information Technology & Innovation;<br />
the Toowoomba Regional Council; Ipswich<br />
City Council; Bundaberg Regional Council;<br />
Rockhampton Regional Council Mackay Regional<br />
Council; Townsville City Council and the Cairns<br />
Regional Council. For a copy of the report visit:<br />
www.boundlss.com/rq