Scaleup tech companies from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA have been selected as finalists in a competition run by Moreton Bay council, north of Brisbane, for the $1 million “Ultimate HQ”.
The competition, a collaboration between City of Moreton Bay and the University of the Sunshine Coast, aims to embed a high-potential scaleup business in the heart of the coastal region’s innovation ecosystem, to unlock industry–research collaboration, and create high-value local jobs. BDO, Constant Contact, K&L Gates, Telstra, and Westpac have also partnered with to assist the business establish itself in the region, home to around 500,000 people, which includes Redcliffe, Caboolture, Pine Rivers, Bribie Island and Woodford, home of the long-running annual Woodford Folk Festival.
The winner, announced on February 27, will score rent-free headquarters five years, with fit-out support, and access to a brand-new space in the UniSC Moreton Bay campus for collaboration with researchers and emerging talent. The finalists will pitch at a local “Investor Safari” event earlier in the month, exploring the region and meeting its businesspeople and others.
Mayor Peter Flannery declared the City of Moreton Bay Australia’s next investment hotspot. The region,
“The calibre and international breadth of entries is a clear signal that City of Moreton Bay is being noticed for doing things differently and backing scaleups with real, practical support,” the Mayor said.
“We have the assets, partners and momentum to help great companies become bigger, bolder and brighter. This innovative competition aligns with our vision to significantly increase the density of local high value jobs and accelerate innovation to build a stronger, smarter economy.”
The five companies chosen represent a combined potential of more than $500 million capex and 1,000 jobs. They are:
- One Model: A people analytics platform designed to help companies understand their workforce better.
- GN Corporation: A Canadian advanced manufacturer specialising in high-precision robotics and automation serving the forestry, aerospace, automotive, defence, oil and gas, and technology industries.
- Future Maintenance Technologies: An autonomous technology business providing AI-powered robots to automate railway and aviation maintenance.
- Pultron Composites: A New Zealand-based advanced manufacturer that specialises in the research, development, and manufacturing of customised fibre-reinforced polymer pultrusions.
- Motorola Solutions: A Chicago-headquartered global communications business that operates in Australia and focuses on security and safety solutions for business and government.
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