Knowledge industries and professional services
The smart place for business
The Sunshine Coast is a tech-savvy region with a reputation for innovation. The region is home to a wide range of knowledge-based businesses and is regarded as one of Australia’s Smart Cities and a national hub for entrepreneurs.
Knowledge and professional service businesses are well supported by a strong entrepreneurial, collaborative and increasingly digitally oriented ecosystem.
Sunshine Coast business investment opportunities
The Sunshine Coast is being positioned as a leading location for innovation, entrepreneurialism and creativity, underpinned by its connectivity with the global economy and supported by a community which can experience an array of opportunities locally.
The knowledge sector currently provides approximately 21,400 jobs, with employment growth in managerial and professional services expected to exceed 135% over the next 20 years.
Investment in co-working centres, maker spaces and business accelerators drives growth across the region.
The Sunshine Coast International Broadband Network and the new Maroochydore City Centre digital assets, provide an opportunity for research organisations, government and business to accelerate the development of new technology software, hardware equipment and devices.
Award-winning intelligent community
The Sunshine Coast has been recognised as one of the world’s Top7 Intelligent Communities in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023 and a Smart21 Intelligent Community in nine out of the past ten years.
Good to know
The region is home to a wide range of businesses which are leaders in their field.
Youi, one of the fastest growing general insurance companies in Australia, has its global headquarters on the Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Coast International Broadband Network is already acting as a catalyst for technology businesses and associated high value jobs.
Sunshine Coast Council has been delivering a Smart City Program since 2016 to improve infrastructure and quality of life, stimulate economic growth and ensure environmental sustainability.
Testing Tech in Paradise: The Connected Worker Pilot Program
As part of the Testing Tech in Paradise initiative, The AVR Lab conducted a pilot program to test new techniques for
conducting field equipment audits.
The results suggest an ROI of 254% over 1 year and payback in approx. 5 months.
In addition, The AVR Lab propose the following benefits including: improved training and education, increased efficiency and productivity, increased safety and competitive business advantages.
High-speed connection to Asia and the world
Sunshine Coast Council is the first local government in Australia to invest in an international submarine cable, connecting to the new Gigabit Maroochydore City Centre and providing Queensland’s first direct international data and telecommunications connection to global systems.
This means businesses in Queensland have the capacity and speed to connect to billions of people through the direct cable paths to Hong Kong, Japan and Los Angeles, truly connecting the Sunshine Coast to the world.
Benefits for knowledge industries and professional services:
- Faster and cheaper data transfer
- Ability to accommodate large-scale data needs
- Bypass Sydney with direct international connection and improve disaster recovery processes
- Aggregated and intelligent database mining to predict consumer behaviour
- Better access to richer data, allowing enhanced customer experience and engagement
- Ultra-high definition live streaming and digital broadcasting, with the ability to reach national and international audiences
Sunshine Coast for tech
The lightning fast digital connectivity has increased the region’s tech capability ensuring all of the Sunshine Coast’s major industries can innovate and participate globally and at speed.
A flourishing innovation ecosystem
Our region has a unique innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem of industry groups, education programs, business incubators and accelerators, advocacy events, coworking spaces and meetups that actively support and encourage innovation, new ideas, entrepreneurs and startups.
Future proofing our next generation
Exciting new opportunities are available to help and connect students on their technology and innovation journey. A range of programs and events designed for school and university students provide opportunities to learn new skills in innovation, coding, robotics and entrepreneurship.
Fast facts
- 21,400 jobs
- The 18 Tbps Sunshine Coast International Broadband Network provides the fastest international connection point from Queensland and east Australia to Asia
- Top7 Intelligent Community 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023
- Dedicated hubs for innovators, startups and high-growth companies
Star performer
TYPEFI
Typefi is a global leader in the provision of single-source automated publishing software, helping organisations around the world publish their content faster and in more formats. Typefi’s cutting edge, user-friendly platform provides customers – from small businesses through to global publishers, international organisations and Fortune 500 companies – with the ability to take a single source document and automatically render it in their choice of over 30 formats for print, online and mobile in just minutes with 100% accuracy.
Founded in 2001, Typefi began exporting in 2007 and has customer organisations in 20 countries, with individual users of Typefi software in 65 countries. Export now accounts for approximately 90% of revenue. The company has grown to more than 40 staff, and was the winner of the 2018 Premier of Queensland’s Export Award for Small Business.
“As a region with a strong commitment to the innovation and technology sector, the Sunshine Coast continues to offer an excellent base for Typefi, with organisations like Sunshine Coast Council and the Innovation Centre providing valuable support and a depth of professional expertise to rival that of any of Australia’s major cities.”
Shanna Bignell, Marketing Manager
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