Explore our annual progress towards achieving the goals of the Innovation for a Future Economy 2022–2032 Roadmap. |
2022-2023 Annual Progress Review
Since 2015, Advance Queensland has supported more than 8,100 recipients, whose projects have directly driven close to the creation of 31,500 jobs and leveraged more than $1 billion in funds from external partners and investors.
In the 2022–23 State Budget, $142.2 million over 3 years was allocated to the Advance Queensland initiative. The funds will support science, research, innovation and entrepreneurship and accelerate economic growth opportunities for Queensland in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Download the Innovation for a Future Economy 2022-2032 Roadmap 2022-2023 Annual Progress Review infographic (PDF, 284KB).
Priority 1. Capital attraction
Outcome: Greater investment attraction and more innovative businesses starting, growing and staying in Queensland
Key achievements
- More than 700 startups & scaleups in Queensland
- Around 50 venture capital firms based in Queensland
- 22 Ignite Ideas grants awarded worth more than $2.6 million
- 55 high-growth potential companies supported through the new Ignite+ program
- Brisbane is ranked in the top 40 emerging startup ecosystems worldwide and the top 5 Oceania ecosystems in performance and funding.
Case studies
Voltin takes the lead in technology to safeguard building structures and lives
Brisbane company Voltin has developed automated tall building inspection technology that could prevent another Grenfell Tower or Champlain Tower disaster.
Cub Care technology enables families to access quality paediatric care from home
Pioneering Brisbane start-up Cub Care is making it easier for families to access paediatric healthcare through an innovative care model that integrates health professionals, process design, and cutting-edge technology to provide a seamless alternative to in-person emergency department visits.
Priority 2. Research collaboration and commercialisation
Outcome: Queensland’s innovative research and collaborations are translated into creating commercialisation opportunities.
Key achievements
- Queensland Health makes the biggest investment in research and development (R&D) ($127 million) across Queensland Government
- Both business and higher education expenditure on R&D has increased in Queensland
- 16 Industry Research Fellowships awarded worth $4.8 million
- 4 grants worth $500,000 provided to Queensland research organisations through the Queensland–Chinese Academy of Sciences Collaborative Science Fund
- 18 Queensland Health Clinical Research Fellowships (Round 4) awarded worth $2.73 million.
Case studies
Powering a Greener Future for Queensland’s Rail Industry
Imagine a future where Queensland's freight trains, leave a smaller carbon footprint and boost the state's competitiveness? This is the vision driving Dr Qing Wu, a leading researcher in freight trains, supported by $360,000 funding from the Advance Queensland’s Industry Research Fellowships.
Is spider venom the solution to controlling locusts?
Meet Dr Shaodong Guo, a molecular biologist, who is leading a groundbreaking project at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) with the potential to revolutionise locust control in Queensland. Australian plague locusts have the ability to cause severe damage to crops and pastures, having one of the greatest economic impacts in Queensland due to the extent and frequency of outbreaks.
Priority 3. Talent, skills and new technologies
Outcome: Queensland’s existing and emerging priority industries and talent are globally competitive.
Key achievements
- Queensland now has around 140,000 tech workers – 15% of the national tech workforce.
- The Made in Queensland Grants Program (Round 5) awarded $20.5 million to 33 manufacturing projects.
- The 2024 Engaging Science Grants program provided almost $500,000 in grants to 28 recipients to help increase public participation in Queensland scientific research and STEM-based engagement events and activities.
Case studies
Made in Queensland
Made in Queensland supports small and medium sized manufacturers to increase international competitiveness, productivity and innovation – and to generate high-skilled jobs for the future.
Engaging Science Grants Recipients 2024
28 recipients will share in almost $500,00 worth of funding in 2024 to help increase public participation in Queensland scientific research and STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) engagement events and activities under the Engaging Science Grants program.
Priority 4. Innovative and sustainable solutions
Outcome: Queensland’s big challenges and events are supported through innovative and sustainable solutions
Key achievements
- 6 corporate innovation challenges released to the market generating $550,000 for Queensland companies
- 22 companies participated in the Low Carbon Accelerator Program with the final 4 companies sharing around$300,000 to help drive emissions reductions
- More than 400 attendees at the 2022 SomethingX event
- More than 900 attendees at the annual BiiG Festival.
Case studies
Innovative Mater partnership to advance Queensland health sector
Advance Queensland is partnering with Cardihab and Mater to roll out a virtual cardiac rehabilitation program to regional Queensland communities.
Low Carbon Accelerator 2022-23 Showcase PoC project recipients
Arteh accelerates transition to a net-zero economy through its time-cost efficient, climate science-based and actionable decarbonisation digital platform.
Priority 5. Innovation precincts and places
Outcome: Queensland has globally-recognised innovation infrastructure to drive ideas through to commercialisation, adoption and diffusion
Key achievements
- Queensland is now home to around 70 workspaces, hubs and precincts.
- The Precinct in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley had:
- 28 tenants
- 89.5% occupancy rate
- 3 tenants leave due to their success in growing too big
- more than 600 events held and 12,000 visitors.
Case studies
The Precinct
The Precinct , located in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, is Queensland’s leading startup hub, bringing together startups, scaleups, the XR and AI hubs, incubators and investors under one roof.
Queensland XR Hub
Based in The Precinct in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, the Queensland XR Hub is committed to building and promoting the growing Extended Reality (XR) and immersive technology ecosystem in Queensland.
Priority 6. Connected and inclusive ecosystem
Outcome: Queensland has a well-connected, inclusive and thriving innovation ecosystem
Key achievements
- 6 contracts awarded with a total investment of close to $400,000 for First Nations innovators under the Deadly Innovation program
- 11 contracts awarded with a total investment of more than $900,000 under the Accelerating Female Founders program supporting almost 500 female founders
- $810,000 provided to 5 regional innovators under the Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects Fund.
Case studies
New Palm Island Digital Service Centre creates jobs and opportunities in the digital economy
A new community-owned and operated Digital Service Centre on Palm Island is now fully operational, providing local people with valuable digital skills training, employment opportunities, and career pathways in Queensland’s growing digital sector. The Palm Island Community Company (PICC) was chosen as the organisation best placed to manage the centre and to employ and support staff.
Accelerating Female Founders Program Round 1 Recipients
Recipients of the Accelerating Female Founders Program will deliver a diverse range of initiatives to female founders across Queensland, to support every stage of their innovation journey and their participation in key industries and technologies.
Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects
The Food and Agribusiness Network received almost $200,000 in funding for their Advancing Innovation in Place project to build a dynamic regional innovation cluster.
Read more about the Roadmap
Read more about the Innovation for a Future Economy 2022–2032 Roadmap and how we are further accelerating Queensland’s future economy and jobs growth through innovation.
Last updated: 17 Jul 2024