The companies were chosen after making their pitch for their products and services to industry reps, venture capitalists and government officials at the annual QuantumTX Accelerator Showcase in collaboration with the Queensland State Government, showcasing cost-effective technologies and services it has developed to meet the diverse needs of mining and resource companies both in Australia and internationally.

The start-ups who are part of the 2024 cohort are:

• WorkbenchX: Facilitating the industrial circular economy.
• Mineral Technologies: Renowned mineral processing solutions.
• Mining3: A pioneer in mining technology and innovation.
• Underground Wireless Sensing: A world’s first solution using fibre-optic sensing.
• Universal Field Robots (UFR): Specialising in industrial robotics and automation.
• Evocativ Mental Fitness: Addressing mental health in the mining and construction sectors.
• Mechanize Pty Ltd: Innovating equipment design of automated tyre replacement system.
• Quick Safety Pty Ltd: Ensuring electrical safety, through compliance and risk mitigation.
• STEM Punks Education Pty Ltd: Inspiring the next generation through learning.
• Sprint Digital: Building custom software, digital products and automating workflows.
• Illuminate FNQ: A First Nations start-up using evidence-based STEM models in community.
• Mining Skills Australia: Developing animated and mixed realities to build competency.

These companies will take part in the 12-week intensive QuantumTX 2024 Queensland METS Technology Incubator Program provides participants with invaluable business training, mentoring, and resources to the value of $25,000 each.

“The growth of analytics and robotics capabilities in the resources sector alone is predicted to add an estimated A$74 billion to Australia’s economy by 2030 and create 80,000 new jobs,” Quantum TX Program Director, Kylah Morrison said.

The METS sector is already a significant contributor to Queensland’s economy, generating more than $7 billion in gross revenue and supporting 26,700 jobs in the state, many of which are in the technical, scientific, and professional services arenas. It is predicted that there will be an increased demand for the state’s critical minerals as companies aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, providing investment opportunities for the state’s METS sector.

Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace said the Queensland Government had provided more than $10 million in support to the Queensland mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector since the initiation of the METS 10 Year Roadmap and Action Plan in 2017.

“We are helping use Queensland’s existing expertise in the resources sector to create new, renewable industries and shape the jobs of the future,” Minister Grace said. “By bringing the best minds in business and research together, we are building partnerships and knowledge sharing, to address the complex challenges in the METS sector.

“We are backing Queensland’s METS companies with new pathways to innovate, so the state can continue to lead the development of responsible solutions for the global energy and resources industries,” the Minister added.

Queensland’s METS Quantum TX accelerator programs aim to equip emerging METS businesses with the necessary skills to commercialise their ideas. The Queensland Government investment, through the implementation of the actions in the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan, delivers these programs which provide Queensland METS  businesses with a competitive market edge.

“Brisbane is widely regarded as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of mining innovation,” Brendan Rutherford, Principal Trade & Investment Officer at Trade & Investment Queensland, said. “Mackay is recognised as a METS Innovation Hub. Queensland METS sector is addressing labour and skills shortages, understanding and responding to decarbonisation drivers and strengthening the resilience of domestic and international supply chains.”

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A total of 15 start-up and scale-up Queensland businesses will be selected to take part in over a 12-week intensive journey where they will gain access to mining companies, business training, mentoring, and over 50 experts from leading companies, as well as meet with potential capital investors and collaborators.

Speakers that participants will meet include experts from Rio Tinto, BHP, Nova Systems, Hitachi, Oz Minerals, Q-Metco, Robotics Australia Group, AROSE, Imdex, Perenti, Microsoft, Fugro, Austrade, The Office of Defence Innovation, CSIRO and the Australian Space Agency.

“The program makes direct introductions to industry and potential export pathways as businesses scale up, which is one of the best ways to increase national competitiveness,” Kylah Morrison, Quantum TX’s Program Director, said. 

“Late-stage TRL researchers are also encouraged to apply and commercialise with industry support. Prominent companies in all major Queensland sectors support Quantum TX with a particular focus on new and innovative solutions, solutions from the regions and from our First Nations people,” Morrison added.

Participation is free via a competitive application process, valued at $25,000. Applications close at midnight on 3 April 2024.

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The 10-week Innovate to Grow Mining/METS program is open for eligible SMEs that are in the early stages of engaging in R&D or pursuing a new idea in the mining/METS space, with experienced researchers and innovation experts who will guide participants in handling technical or business challenges, exploring R&D opportunities, and developing actionable business and funding plans.

Upon completion of the program, participants may be able to access facilitation support, through CSIRO, to connect to research expertise nationally, and may be eligible for dollar-matched R&D funding.

Monika Szabo, SME Collaboration Manager for CSIRO, said the Innovate to Grow program was designed to help SMEs understand how to engage in R&D by showing them pathways to access funding, mentoring, and a highly connected network through research organisations and their own sector.

“The Innovate to Grow program is aimed at Australian companies with less than 200 employees, and currently is offered at no cost to participants,” Szabo said. “In doing so we hope to remove some of the barriers that smaller enterprises face when they have an idea they would like to pursue.

“At the completion of the program participants will have received assistance in defining their goals, developing a business case for R&D from a university or CSIRO, and even prepare a funding proposal,” Szabo added. “Their professional networks will also receive a boost as they will connect with peers in their cohort, sector-specific mentors, and with CSIRO, which has the largest mineral resources R&D capability in the world.”

CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow: Mining/METS program will accept up to 20-25 SME participants. Applications are open until 13 February and the program will commence on Monday 9 March.

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