Central Queensland startups with an innovative business solution that could service the mining industry will have the chance to commercialise their ideas thanks to a new Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) Accelerator Program in Rockhampton.

The program is fully funded by the Palaszczuk Government and run by Rockhampton Regional Council, METS Ignited and Rockhampton SmartHub.

It will offer up to ten places to startups or scale-ups who have an innovative, cost-saving or production-efficient product or service that could be introduced to the mining sector.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said that the government’s collaboration with METS Ignited is backed by AU$1.8 million funding in 2018-19 to encourage innovation and jobs growth in the state’s AU$7 billion METS sector.

“It’s about helping regional businesses accelerate the commercialisation of their innovative products and services, expand their customer base and income streams, and meet the challenges that come with growth,” says Minister Dick.

“The METS sector employs about 20,000 people in Queensland and activities like these are key to achieving our plan to create a further 3000 extra jobs over the next decade.

“Queensland’s regional METS companies have great entrepreneurial spirit and we want them to reach their full potential, because we want the world to know that Queensland is Australia’s home for METS innovation.”

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke sees regional accelerators as a great way for Queensland’s innovative METS startups and SMEs to build their capabilities so they can remain competitive and expand their markets.

“Programs like this present an opportunity to not only position central Queensland businesses as solution providers to the mining industry, but also to shine a spotlight on our region as a hotspot for mining innovation in our state.”

To be eligible, applicants should:
• Be registered companies that operate and employ in the Rockhampton/CQ Region, or are about to
• Supply into the mining, energy and resources sectors in Queensland, or have substantive plans to do so
• Have an innovative cost-saving or production-efficient service or product to introduce to the mining sector
• Be available to participate in the entire program

Applications close 25 February 2019.