One Australian startup will soon be in the running for US$1 million when Brisbane hosts the regional event of the Startup World Cup global pitch competition on Wednesday 10 April.
The Startup World Cup Australian final will take place just one week after the inaugural QODE innovation conference brings global technology, startup and business experts to Brisbane. The competition will see 10 Australian startups pitch for a spot in the grand final in San Francisco along with startups from 40 other nations vying for the ultimate investment prize of US$1 million. It will be the first time Brisbane hosts Startup World Cup, which is an initiative of US-based Fenox Venture Capital. ImagineX Ventures is partnering to host the Brisbane competition with support from Brisbane City Council via Brisbane Marketing and the Queensland Government.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said hosting the Startup World Cup Australian competition comes at a time when the city’s entrepreneurial and startup community is growing significantly. “Brisbane is committed to nurturing innovation, appointing Australia’s first Chief Digital Officer and implementing a city-wide digital strategy which included opening CBD startup hub The Capital and launching a grant program to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses,” Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said. “We are now Australia’s second largest city for startup founders and hosting the Australian final of the Startup Wold Cup is another way we are supporting local entrepreneurs. The competition will take place one week after Brisbane welcomes the world’s innovation and tech professionals at the inaugural two-day QODE conference on 2-3 April, where startups can take part in pitch training workshops. Some of the world’s most talented entrepreneurs, startups and technology experts are based in Brisbane, so it makes sense that we are the host city for QODE and the Startup World Cup Australian event.”
Innovation Minister Kate Jones said securing this globally-recognised event for the first time in Queensland cemented the state’s reputation as a hub for innovation. “With Queensland having the second highest number of startups in Australia, it’s no wonder Brisbane’s been selected to host the Australian final of the Startup World Cup,” she said. “Our commitment to creating the jobs of the future by investing in innovation is paying off. Through our Advance Queensland initiative, we’ve already backed 3600 innovators and supported more than 12,500 jobs across the state. I look forward to welcoming the best innovators in the country and showcasing how we’re harnessing the power of innovation to create jobs across Queensland.”
Startups are encouraged to apply for the Australian final online. The deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday 27 March. The final will take place on 10 April, ahead of the grand final in San Francisco on 17 May.
Readers also enjoyed this story about QAGOMA’s latest exhibition.
