What Advance Queensland does

Advance Queensland is a Queensland Government innovation initiative, established in 2015 and operated under the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), that channels public funding, mentorship, and ecosystem support to Queensland-based startups, scaleups, researchers, and corporate partners. The initiative is not a commercial technology company and does not develop proprietary products; instead it operates a portfolio of grant programs, accelerators, and physical/digital infrastructure including the staged Ignite Program (Ignite Spark for concept/MVP, Ignite Ideas Fund for commercialisation, Ignite+ for scaleup growth), the Backing Female Founders Program with its $50,000-$200,000 Co-Investment Fund (1:3 match), the First Nations Innovation Acceleration Program managed by First Australians Capital (grants up to $100,000), the Corporate Innovation Network (CoIN) and Private Sector Pathways Program, Regional Futures, the Deadly Innovation Strategy, and Science Programs (Industry Research Fellowships, Foundations, and Projects).

The initiative's operating model is public grant-making rather than commercial revenue generation. It is funded by Queensland State Budget allocations — $142.2 million over three years was committed in the 2022-23 State Budget, framed around the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, on top of prior $180M-over-four-years commitments. Distribution occurs through a central website (advance.qld.gov.au), SmartyGrants-based competitive applications, regional events, and a physical anchor in The Precinct (Fortitude Valley, Brisbane — 28 tenants, 89.5% occupancy) which also houses the Queensland XR Hub. The Dealroom Queensland platform (queensland.dealroom.co) provides ecosystem mapping and investor matching, and the initiative actively curates partnerships with corporates (Boeing, NRL, BASF, Mater Group, Frucor Suntory), research institutions (QUT, UQ, Bond University, CSIRO), and ecosystem enablers (Peregian Digital Hub, River City Labs, Silicon Coast).

Since 2015, Advance Queensland claims to have supported more than 8,100 recipients whose projects have driven the creation of approximately 31,500 jobs and leveraged over $1 billion in external partner/investor funds; Macro-level Evaluation 2 (Nous Group, 2022) calculated a benefit-to-cost ratio of at least 1.6:1. Queensland's startup ecosystem has grown to 700+ startups/scaleups, around 50 venture capital firms, and roughly 140,000 tech workers (15% of Australia's tech workforce), with Brisbane ranked in the global top 40 emerging startup ecosystems. The initiative is not VC- or PE-backed, does not have traditional equity ownership, and is not subject to PE/VC/M&A investment — it is a permanent state government economic development program.

Name

Advance Queensland

Legal name

Advance Queensland (Queensland Government)

Website

https://advance.qld.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Advance Queensland is a Queensland Government initiative operating since 2015 that channels $142.2M in state funding over three years through grants, accelerators, and ecosystem programs to support Queensland-based startups, scaleups, researchers, female founders, First Nations innovators, and regional entrepreneurs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Innovation Grants and Ecosystem Support

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Development Finance, Guarantees & Blended Finance Programs (BPADABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC), Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities (BPADAOAD)

Keywords

• Innovation grants programs
• Startup support services
• Entrepreneurship mentorship
• Research commercialization
• Innovation hub facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Funded Initiative: Advance Queensland is funded through Queensland Government budget allocations. The 2022-23 State Budget allocated $142.2 million over 3 years to support science, research, innovation and entrepreneurship. The initiative does not generate commercial revenue but distributes funding through grants, co-investment funds, and program support to eligible Queensland businesses.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Advance Queensland is a Queensland Government initiative that provides grants, co-investment funds, accelerator programs, mentorship, and innovation hub services to Queensland-based startups, scaleups, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The initiative supports the full innovation lifecycle from early-stage concept development (Ignite Spark) through market-ready commercialisation (Ignite Ideas Fund) to scaleup growth (Ignite+), with targeted programs for female founders, First Nations innovators, regional entrepreneurs, and corporate partners. It is funded through Queensland Government budget allocations and delivers programs through the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI).

Product overview

Advance Queensland is a Queensland Government initiative building an innovation economy to drive growth and create regional jobs. It functions as an ecosystem support platform rather than a single product, offering a comprehensive portfolio of grant programs, acceleration initiatives, innovation hubs, research partnerships, and skills training. The core Ignite Program provides staged support from concept (Ignite Spark) through market-ready commercialisation (Ignite Ideas Fund) to scaleup growth (Ignite+). Targeted initiatives include the Backing Female Founders Program with its Co-Investment Fund, the First Nations Innovation Acceleration Program, and the Corporate Innovation Network (CoIN) connecting corporates with innovative businesses. Physical infrastructure includes The Precinct innovation hub and Queensland XR Hub in Brisbane, complemented by the Dealroom Queensland online platform for ecosystem mapping. Science Programs support industry-research collaborations through fellowships and projects. The portfolio also includes Regional Futures for regional economic development, Deadly Innovation for First Nations innovators, and AI Skills Workshops covering tools like Claude, Copilot, Gemini, and Perplexity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ignite Spark
• Ignite Ideas Fund Funding program helping Queensland businesses take highly innovative new products or services to market for the first time at MVP stage or beyond. For innovative Queensland businesses ready to commercialise.
• Ignite+ Support initiative for Queensland's innovative, high-growth potential startups and scaleups to grow and succeed, providing tailored mentoring, business advice, professional development, and network access. For high-growth potential startups and scaleups.
• Backing Female Founders Program Suite of initiatives supporting Queensland female founders to grow and scale innovative businesses, including investment readiness, co-investment funding, and mentoring programs. For women-led innovative businesses in Queensland.
• Female Founders Co-Investment Fund Grant program providing $50,000 to $200,000 matched at 1:3 ratio for early-stage capital raises by women-founded and led innovation enterprises. For women-led early-stage innovative Queensland companies preparing for capital raises.
• First Nations Innovation Acceleration Program Program managed by First Australians Capital supporting mature Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses with impact investment grants up to $100,000 and business strategic advisory services. For mature Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in Queensland.
• Corporate Innovation Network (CoIN) Network connecting large corporate organisations with Queensland innovative businesses to develop creative solutions to industrial challenges through open innovation processes. For large corporates seeking innovative solutions and Queensland innovators seeking corporate engagement.
• Private Sector Pathways Program Co-funded open innovation program solving corporate challenges through solutions generated by proven innovative Queensland businesses. For corporates and proven innovative Queensland SMEs.
• Regional Futures Initiative accelerating regional economic growth through innovation, funding, networks, and events supporting collaborative projects and ecosystem development. For innovators and entrepreneurs outside South East Queensland.
• Industry Research Fellowships Support for PhD qualified researchers to undertake innovative research in partnership with industry partners addressing key industry issues or challenges. For PhD-qualified researchers partnering with industry.
• Industry Research Foundations Program assisting Queensland businesses to progress innovative products and services toward commercialisation by engaging Honours, Master or PhD level graduates. For Queensland businesses seeking research talent.
• Industry Research Projects Program supporting opportunities for researchers and industry to translate research outcomes into commercialisation opportunities for innovative services and products. For researchers and industry partners seeking commercialisation of research.
• The Precinct Queensland's leading startup hub in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley bringing together startups, scaleups, XR and AI hubs, incubators, and investors under one roof. For startups, scaleups, incubators, and investors.
• Queensland XR Hub Hub based at The Precinct committed to building and promoting the growing Extended Reality (XR) and immersive technology ecosystem in Queensland. For XR/immersive technology startups, scaleups, and ecosystem participants.
• Dealroom Queensland Online platform mapping Queensland's startup and investment ecosystem, facilitating matching between startups and investors, and showcasing innovation precincts, hubs, universities, and research centres. For startups, investors, and ecosystem participants.
• AI Skills Workshops Free and fee-based workshops covering generative AI tools including Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and Perplexity, offered at The Precinct and online to build AI capability among Queensland innovators. For Queensland innovators, entrepreneurs, and business owners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 31,500 jobs created through supported projects
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability13 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CSIROcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026CSIRO delivers the Innovate to Grow R&D Training program for SMEs working on circular economy and sustainability solutions, as part of the Queensland Government funded Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC) program.
• First Australians Capital (FAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2024FAC manages the First Nations Innovation Acceleration Program for Advance Queensland. The program accelerates business deals through knowledge, funding, and connection into the financial networks of FAC and partners including Queensland Investment Council (QIC), Queensland Indigenous Business Network (QIBN), Queensland Treasury, and CSIRO. Provides impact investment grants up to $100,000 and business strategic advisory services.
• Peregian Digital HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeregian Digital Hub on Queensland's Sunshine Coast hosts the Tokenizer program which accelerates AI capability building for Queensland innovators. Multiple companies (Kitt AI, Education Futures Foundation, NextPlay AI) have benefited from this program.
• evokeAGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvance Queensland supports Team Queensland delegation to evokeAG, Asia Pacific's premier agrifood innovation event. The partnership helps participants expand networks, build collaborations and connect with innovators, investors and industry leaders across the AgTech sector.
• NRLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRL Magic Round Innovation Partnership - a three-year collaboration to help the NRL solve pressing challenges through Queensland innovations.
• Queensland University of Technology (QUT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQUT partnered with RapidAIM on a world-first precision pest management solution project, collaborating on innovation in agricultural technology.
• BASF Australia LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBASF partnered with RapidAIM and QUT on precision pest management solutions, contributing to agricultural innovation in Queensland.
• BoeingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoeing and Advance Queensland partnered for the Xelerated Pitch Competition, Sustainability in Space. The competition featured six companies pitching for a $100,000 contract with Boeing.
• Mater GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvance Queensland partnered with Queensland SME Cardihab and Mater Group to roll out a virtual cardiac rehabilitation program to regional Queensland communities.
• University of Queensland - Australian Institute of Business and Economics (AIBE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partnership generating multi-jurisdictional insights about High-Growth SMEs and the STEM-qualified workforce as part of the State of Innovation project (2022-2024).
• Bond University Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partnership generating multi-jurisdictional insights about Queensland innovation-active firms between 2011 and 2021 as part of the State of Innovation project.
• UQ VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvance Queensland supports UQ Ventures programs including ilab Accelerator and Empower Pre-Accelerator, promoting startup and entrepreneurship support.
• Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTIQ supports innovative firms to scale globally through programs like the Go Global Export Program (Round 5 launched July 2023 with new sportstech stream).
• Queensland Symphony OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImagine Realities pitched an innovative solution to enhance QSO's touring program and engagement with Queensland schools and regional communities through the Private Sector Pathways Program.
• Frucor SuntoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrucor Suntory teamed up with Advance Queensland and Nexefy to enhance training and safety through a pitch event success story.
• DealroomcoreTechnology or IntegrationDealroom Queensland is an online platform that maps Queensland's startup and investment ecosystem, collating and sharing data globally. The platform facilitates matching between Queensland-based startups and potential investors.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• CSIRO: Australia's national science agency operating R&D programs, industry-research collaborations, and commercialisation initiatives (including Main Sequence Ventures). Direct delivery partner with Advance Queensland for the Innovate to Grow R&D training, providing ecosystem-level research and innovation support.
• Startup Genome: Global startup ecosystem research and policy advisory organisation producing the widely-cited Global Startup Ecosystem Report (which ranks Brisbane top-40 emerging ecosystem). Thematic peer informing policy and benchmarking for state-level innovation initiatives like Advance Queensland.
• Tech Council of Australia: Peak industry body representing Australia's technology sector, including startups and scaleups. Ecosystem enabler that complements state-level innovation funding programs by advocating policy, gathering ecosystem data, and connecting founders with capital and corporate partners.

Broad incumbents

• Israel Innovation Authority: Israeli government authority providing grants, funding programs, and innovation ecosystem support for startups, multinationals, and academic researchers. Comparable government-backed grantmaking and innovation support structure with measurable venture-creation outcomes.
• Innovate UK: UK government innovation agency funding business-led R&D, emerging technologies, and scaleups with multi-billion-pound grant and loan portfolios. Larger national-scale peer providing grants, accelerator programs, and innovation support across the full lifecycle similar to Advance Queensland's Ignite suite.
• Enterprise Singapore: Singaporean government agency driving enterprise growth and innovation through grants, capability development, and market access programs. Comparable state-led model funding startups and scaleups with programs running from concept through internationalisation.

Emerging players

• Main Sequence Ventures: Australia's deep-tech venture fund founded by CSIRO to commercialise national science research. Adjacent ecosystem player investing in early-stage Australian deep-tech startups, complementary to Advance Queensland's grant programs in bridging research to commercialisation.

Regional players

• New Industries Fund (Western Australia): Western Australian government program supporting innovation, science, and entrepreneurship through grants, accelerators, and ecosystem initiatives. Regional peer offering similar state-level innovation funding comparable to Advance Queensland's Ignite suite and Regional Futures program.

Direct peers

• Investment NSW: New South Wales government investment and innovation attraction agency providing grants, incentives, and business support programs. Comparable state-level mandate for driving innovation and economic development with similar corporate-investment attraction programs.
• LaunchVic: Victorian state government startup agency funding accelerators, grants, and innovation programs across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Direct counterpart to Advance Queensland with similar mandate of growing a state-level innovation ecosystem through non-dilutive funding and ecosystem-building programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AdvanceQueensland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/advance-queensland
• Xx.com/advanceqld

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments10 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Advance Queensland