Queensland an emerging leader in innovation
The word is out that Queensland is a great place to live, work, study, invest, innovate and do business.
The state is emerging as a leader in transitioning to a future-focused economy that embraces innovation and technology.
It’s home to a thriving start-up sector, with Brisbane moving into the top 100 global start-up ecosystems. In 2024, Brisbane was named as one of the top 40 emerging ecosystems for start-ups, placing at number 34, climbing 13 positions in 12 months.
South East Queensland is now the fastest-growing region for tech jobs in Australia, with 140,000 people working in the sector.
The birthplace of many globally successful companies
Queensland is the birthplace of many internationally successful companies, including sports tech company VALD Performance, facade assessment system creator Voltin and flood forecasting pioneer FloodMapp.
With so much happening in the Sunshine State, the team behind the renowned Australia’s Nobel Laureates: State of Our Innovation Nation journal has taken a deep dive into Queensland’s innovation efforts in their new ‘Convergence: Queensland Economic and Innovation Special Report’.
The report showcases innovation across a range of sectors, including medical research, agriculture, renewable energy and disaster management. It takes a closer look at extended reality (XR) applications for industry and the untapped potential of female entrepreneurs.
Former Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Julia Spicer also shares her thoughts on the importance of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across our regional communities.
Explore Queensland’s Economic and Innovation Special Report stories:
- Regions need support to do the heavy lifting on the journey to net zero — by Julia Spicer OAM, former Queensland Chief Entrepreneur (2022–2024).
- Future-proofing food and fibre — Queensland’s reputation for producing high-quality, safe and trusted food and fibre is being boosted by AgTech’s innovative technology, delivering essential products and services at home and across the globe.
- The innovative scenarios testing Queensland’s disaster strategies — the Queensland Government’s innovative work in climate risk management aims to save lives, homes, the environment and resources, creating a more resilient future for everyone.
- 3D-printed brains and digital twins: Gold Coast’s trailblazing medical research — Queensland’s Gold Coast typically evokes beaches rather than cutting-edge medical research and innovation, but since 2021 it’s the site of world-first work that could change the lives of us all in the future.
- Breaking barriers: Queensland's mission to empower female entrepreneurs — Queensland is bridging the gap for female entrepreneurs, helping them unlock their business potential and fostering an environment of innovation.
- Queensland poised to supercharge economy with clean energy — a massive $62 billion Energy and Jobs plan is transforming the Sunshine State into the nation’s renewable powerhouse — reducing emissions, creating thousands of jobs and unlocking new export opportunities
- Queensland is a hub for extended reality tech — Karen Sanders of Queensland’s XR Hub is pushing government and business to consider virtual reality as more than a party trick.
- Interview with the Queensland Premier — Interview with former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk - Investing in Queensland's innovation and economic future.
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Last updated: 16 May 2024