Brisbane Startup Sector Going from Strength to Strength

It is hard to imagine today but a little over four years ago the startup sector in Brisbane barely existed, but a much needed injection of confidence in Brisbane entrepreneurs and start-ups occurred in 2012 when entrepreneur Steve Baxter opened River City Labs in Fortitude Valley and since then the Brisbane startup sector has enjoyed enormous growth rivalling the startup sectors in Sydney and Melbourne.

Some of Brisbane’s universities have also played a pivotal role in establishing the Brisbane startup sector, most notably The University of Queensland (UQ) through its ilab operations and startup programs, and Creative Enterprise Australia an initiative targeting creative startups delivered by Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

The high calibre of local entrepreneurs and startups has attracted the attention of several interstate startup sector operators who have established a presence in Brisbane in recent time, including Telstra’s startup accelerator, muru-D, and Fishburners.

The momentum of the Brisbane startup sector is also driving an explosion in growth of co-working spaces with over 20 locations now in operation across the city including local operator Little Tokyo Two recently opening their fourth location in The Capital in the Brisbane CBD.

Brisbane is the birthplace of a growing list of notable startups currently scaling globally including, Haystack, DoseMe, Travello, iRecruit, RedEye, Redback Technologies to name just a few.

Brisbane entrepreneurs and startups enjoy unparalleled support through many avenues, including various programs and funding opportunities provided by the Queensland State Government’s Advance Queenslandinitiatives, Brisbane City Council programs and initiates, particularly Digital Brisbane and the overwhelmingly collaborative Brisbane Startup ecosystem. 

StartupQLD.org is non-profit organisation and its purpose is to stimulate, support and showcase entrepreneurism and startups across Queensland and foster peer-to-peer support to increase the number of Queensland Startups which successfully launch in Queensland and scale globally.

StartupQLD operates from River City Labs in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, but the team maintain strong relations with Community Champions and Enablers from local startup communities and organisations  right across Queensland, as well as connecting with other startup communities and organisations across Australia and globally.

Our Mission is to “Support & Showcase Queensland Innovation, Technology, Entrepreneurs, Founders, Startups & Investors!”