STARTUP ECOSYSTEM REPORT

CAIRNS
STARTUPS
31
2 bit Studios (Game Studio)
AUFO (Drones)
Bets With Friends (Mobile App)
Catch Log Trading (Analytics)
Didgigo (Content Creation)
Drink Tracker (Mobile App)
Droner (Drones)
Dynamic Conversations (Marketplace)
Focuss (unknown)
HelloClaims (Insurance)
I Want That Course (Marketplace)
iAMConnected (Collaboration)
Inspection Apps (Mobile App)
InstaConnect (IOT)
Konveen (Communication)
Mogtastic (Game Studio)
My Footy Boots (Marketplace)
Nupath (Education)
Orb Studio (Game Studio)
Pak Yak (Mobile App)
Relocations to Go (Marketplace)
Sakure (Desktop App)
Sam the Waiter (Mobile App)
ShareStuff (Marketplace)
Snipe (Productivity)
TenderHound (Collaboration)
ThermaCulture (IOT)
ThoughtSelect (Mobile App)
UAVIEW (Drones)
Voista (Software)
Why Not Tours (Marketplace)
POPULATION
GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT TOTAL FUNDING
3.4% of Queensland 57 2.7% of Queensland 56 13% Regional Queensland
159K $7.6B $1.4M
STARTUPS BY MARKET FOCUS:
TOP 5 MARKETS
Professional Services
Agriculture
Education & Training
Tourism
Information Media
Other
TECH ECOSYSTEM SUMMARY
Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef are a
unique environment, renowned nationally and
internationally as a premier tourism destination.
The region attracts more than 2 million domestic
and international visitors each year, contributing
over $2.6 billion dollars to the local economy. As
a result, Cairns has a large transient population
that adds to the complexity of the establishment
of a robust tech ecosystem.
Cairns is emerging as a strong digital technology
hub. Cairns has a higher density of startups per
capita than South East Queensland. Yet local
startups haven’t raised anywhere near as much
money. Most technology startups are based out
of the CBD, and a number benefit from support
from centres like theSpace co-working hub. The
startup scene in Cairns spans multiple sectors,
including education and agriculture. A number
of tourism and construction startups exist in
Cairns, alongside a growing professional services
sector. The Cairns Regional Investment Group is
currently developing a network of angel investors
with a focus on Cairns and regional opportunities.
It is estimated that the 31 startups operating out of
Cairns were employing 120+ people. A selection
of notable persons identified in a centrality
ranking are as follows; Troy Haines (Coworking),
Damian Zammit (Coworking), Steven Hambleton
(Founder), Andrew Joy (Founder), Daniel Lundh
(Founder), Nathaniel Armer (Founder), John
Milkota (Funding), Matthew Hanson (Founder),
Daryl Postgate (Founder), Matt McKinley
(Founder), Robert Buhrke (Funding) and Roy
Wybrow (University).
Established technology companies and supporting
entities that play an important role in the Cairns
ecosystem include; ResPax (Software), Koolivoo
(Software), Iceberg Innovation (Funding), Cairns
Regional Investment Group (Funding), James
Cook University (Education), Digital Cairns
(Support), Dive into Digital (Support) and
PiDataConsulting (App Development).
The following technology related events and
meetups were identified, and are presented
according to their importance to the ecosystem:
Cairns Startup & Entrepreneurs Meetup, Startup
Weekend, Mentor Blaze, Dive into Digital, Startup
Lab, Silicon Beach Cairns, Pitch Night and
FunGIS.
ISSUES & ACTIONS
Cairns participants expressed a major issue with
the lack of a large physical space being a hurdle
for startups, in addition to a low risk appetite
among entrepreneurs, legislators and investors.
The attraction of talent to the region was also seen
as a problem, and retaining talent in an area with
a large transient population was seen as a major
barrier to the growth of the ecosystem.
Participants suggested that the development of
a local tech campus including coworking spaces
supported by levels of government would provide
the infrastructure needed to firmly establish a
robust tech ecosystem. The Cairns Innovation
Centre, announced in July 2015 and expected to
launch in 2017 could address some of these needs.
Engaging early with local graduate software
developers was seen as a way to retain local
talent. A highly innovative solution was to enter
into negotiation with one of Cairns’ seven global
sister cities for a seamless flow of tech talent.
ISSUES TOP 5
Infrastructure
Culture
Talent & Skills
Raise Awareness
Funding
ACTIONS TOP 5
Hub / Coworking Space
Brand / Culture
Startup Apprentice
Govt Provide Supportive Role
Education Program
29%
29%
16%
11%
10%
25%
21.67%
16.67%
13.33%
10%
29