STARTUP ECOSYSTEM REPORT

BUNDABERG
STARTUPS
4
A Few Extra Bucks (marketplace)
Caked On (marketplace)
Gilmour Space Corp (aerospace)
Intritec (software)
POPULATION
GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT
TOTAL FUNDING
2.0% of Queensland 57 1.6% of Queensland 52 0% of Regional Queensland
95K $4.4B $0K
STARTUPS BY MARKET FOCUS:
TOP 4 MARKETS
Agriculture
Accommodation & Food
Transport
Education
TECH ECOSYSTEM SUMMARY
Bundaberg is situated approximately four hours
drive or a 45-minute flight north of Brisbane.
Major industry clusters include healthcare,
agriculture, construction and manufacturing,
along with major campuses of Central
Queensland University and Institute of Technical
and Further Education (TAFE). The city’s
population is approximately 100,000 people.
The Bundaberg startup ecosystem is at an
embryonic stage. As of July 2015, there are
no startup specific meetups. Previous efforts
to launch a Bundaberg technology expo were
merged to a wider business expo in light of low
demand. The Bundaberg Digital Boardroom, and
supporting “Switched on Bundaberg” initiative,
provide a forum for businesses to highlight the
importance of high quality broadband access and
promoting digital productivity throughout the
region. Bundaberg Regional Council has also
been proactive in driving digital engagement and
in hosting numerous technology related events
and forums.
These initiatives have not had a particular focus
on promoting the regional startup culture, and
there is currently no central space available for
startups to co-work, network and collaborate.
Of pressing concern is that of Central
Queensland University closing its ICT course in
Bundaberg. Research suggests that almost every
successful tech cluster has a local technical
university to organically generate and retain
talent within the region. 18 It is extremely difficult
to import enough talent to fuel a rapidly growing
tech cluster.
It is estimated that the 4 startups operating out
of Bundaberg were employing 15+ people.
A selection of notable persons identified in a
centrality ranking are as follows; Phil Baker
(Founder), Andrew Beckenhauer (Local Govt),
Matthew Drane (Founder), Jack Millbank
(Established AgTech), Frank Pyefinch
(Established Founder), Ann Moffat (Education),
and Ben Taylor (Education).
There is a strong base of established technology
companies operating out of the Bundaberg
region.
Best Practice Software, founded by Frank
Pyefinch is one of Australia’s largest medical
software organisations with over 50 employees
alone in Bundaberg. Hortus, founded by
Jack Millbank, is an innovative AgTech
company employing over 25 people in the
region. Matthew Drane is an accomplished
serial entrepreneur, and his businesses in the
technology industry based in Bundaberg have
created an estimated 100+ jobs.
Other supporting entities include Wide Bay
Volunteers (Education), Bundaberg Regional
Council (Local Govt), AusIndustry (Federal
Govt), WebTraf (Software), and Central
Queensland University.
ISSUES & ACTIONS
Bundaberg participants identified that raising
awareness of technology startups was a
critical factor to increase participation in the
startup sector. It was perceived that a lack of
understanding of technology in the region was
driving talent away. The low number of students
studying technology related subjects in the
region, combined with the pull of mature startup
ecosystems in major cities, presents a challenge
for retaining regional talent. Participants
identified the lack of local STEM talent as a
critical issue preventing the establishment of a
ISSUES TOP 5
Raise Awareness
Education
Infrastructure
Funding
Talent & Skills
ACTIONS TOP 5
Govt Incentive - Infrastructure
Education Program
Highlight Success Stories
Form Leadership Group
Collaboration & Networking
22%
20%
18%
18%
12%
24%
13%
13%
11%
11%
strong startup ecosystem. Poor NBN coverage
was also impacting the speed of uptake of new
technology and therefore turning potential
entrepreneurs away.
Participants suggested that highlighting the
success stories of established tech companies, in
conjunction with a collaborative, entrepreneurial
culture, would drive significant interest in the
region and the startup sector. A central resource
for funding options for tech companies was
seen as a quick win that would bring immediate
value.
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