Brisbane is a vibrant and thriving startup and innovation ecosystem. Positioned centrally, it includes the emerging tech hubs of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. In 2032 it will welcome the world for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Health, Biotechnology, Food, and Agribusiness sectors are forging ahead powered by world-class universities, Boggo Road Innovation Precinct, the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, and the Sunshine Coast Centre for Bioinnovation.
The ecosystem’s collaborative stakeholders leverage government-led programs, government and private capital investment funds, and commercialization-focused researchers and universities. The government is committed to making Brisbane an innovation powerhouse. The focus on funding, business support, and resources to build its innovation economy, drive growth, and create jobs means Brisbane is ready to take its startups and scaleups global.
The new $150 million Innovation Economy Fund is boosting infrastructure and equipment improvements in precincts focused on priority industries and growth sectors. The Female Founders Co-investment Fund is improving access to early-stage capital and assisting the scaleup of Queensland innovation businesses founded by women. The Queensland Investment Corporation manages the Queensland Venture Capital Development Fund (VCDF), to accelerate Queensland’s venture capital industry. The fund nurtures local VCs while also attracting interstate and global funds, like Brandon Capital and Antler, to accelerate investment in local startups. The VCDF also delivers accelerator programs designed to expand the pool of investment-ready businesses in Queensland.
In June 2026, Brisbane will host Global AgInvesting, the world’s premier agriculture investment event, cementing the ecosystem’s strategic location for market access and expansion.
Brisbane is where founders love the lifestyle and benefit from growing the connections, customers, and capital they need to start, scale, and shine.
