Where innovation thrives
The Sunshine Coast is a tech-savvy region with a reputation for innovation. Businesses are supported by a strong entrepreneurial, collaborative and digitally oriented ecosystem.
The region is recognised as a place where world-first ideas flourish, innovation thrives and startups prosper.
Accelerators, coworking spaces, incubator events and meetups foster a culture of collaboration and partnerships that develop fresh perspectives and solve problems.
Queensland Regional Innovation Benchmark Report
Many businesses on the Sunshine Coast have continued to adapt and innovate despite the challenges and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A major survey of Sunshine Coast innovators found that almost half (46%) introduced new innovations in 2020.
The Queensland Regional Innovation Benchmark Report identifies current practices and performance to determine how businesses across the region perform comparatively year on year.
46%
Sunshine Coast businesses say they have implemented new to the firm innovations
46%
Sunshine Coast businesses say they have implemented new to the firm innovations
25%
Sunshine Coast firms introduced new to the industry product innovations
25%
Sunshine Coast firms introduced new to the industry product innovations
90%
Innovators report embracing digital business practices, using an innovation strategy, website and e-commerce
90%
Innovators report embracing digital business practices, using an innovation strategy, website and e-commerce
29%
Sunshine Coast firms reported new or significantly improved manufacturing processes
29%
Sunshine Coast firms reported new or significantly improved manufacturing processes
40%
Sunshine Coast innovators collaborate, a significant increase from 29.8% in 2019 and higher than the rest of the country
40%
Sunshine Coast innovators collaborate, a significant increase from 29.8% in 2019 and higher than the rest of the country
Innovation excellence
Our region has made significant strides in developing an entrepreneurial reputation and culture.
- Through the Sunshine Coast Regional Innovation Project Team, the region is already fostering more innovative businesses, product development and employment growth (more details below).
- Similarly, the deployment of new and enabling technologies, including the international broadband submarine network infrastructure, will support innovation and transformation across high-value industries and companies.
- Business and industry are actively encouraged to continue to embrace new technologies to expand their markets and compete nationally and globally. The capacity building of business, including existing and new businesses across the region, is a critical part of this process.
- Providing opportunities for our young entrepreneurs is also important and the region has seen the development of a range of programs, initiatives and mentoring of our young talent to help them create the jobs and companies of the future.
- World-class research also holds the key to addressing challenges such as increasing industry innovation and productivity improvement. Productive research partnerships between the higher education sector and industry can provide the confidence, evidence and foundations to innovate and turn research into commercial products and services.
Innovation in action
Our region has a unique entrepreneurial ecosystem where industry contemporaries collaborate, and where innovation, new ideas, entrepreneurs and startups are actively supported and encouraged.
Top7 Intelligent Communities of the Year
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Smart21 Communities of the Year
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