Scientists, startups, space and sea: accelerator program launched

UniSC’s Space to Sea Accelerator program is supported by the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council through the Collaborative Projects Program.  

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the program supported the next wave of innovation. 

“Council is delighted to collaborate with UniSC and the Queensland Government on this exciting program which supports the next wave of innovation right here in our region,” Mayor Natoli said.  

“As we work toward a sustainable future in our Sunshine Coast Biosphere, I applaud partners like UniSC who are facilitating innovative partnerships and harnessing emerging technologies to solve complex challenges. 

“The project aims to accelerate innovation and industry collaboration, create jobs and foster sustainable development for the Sunshine Coast and Queensland.   

“It also perfectly aligns with the Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Strategy 2013-2033 which identifies innovation as critical to growing world-class businesses.” 

Eight companies have been selected to take part in the program – with projects that include increasing defence capabilities at sea to AI-driven, real-time monitoring of mangroves.    

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett.

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett said the program would be a catalyst for companies developing geospatial intelligence using emerging technologies such as drones, robotics, artificial intelligence, and the ‘Internet of Things’ to shape the future.  

“This is an opportunity to research and adopt sophisticated solutions to help solve challenges across several areas such as sustainability, environmental monitoring and preparing for future natural disasters,” she said.   

“With next-generation satellites and imaging technologies delivering increasingly precise data — and innovations pushing the boundaries of what’s possible — this initiative will help to meet the growing demand for real-time geospatial intelligence.” 

“It is designed to provide these startup companies with support and resources to refine their ideas, to propel these ventures from concept to reality in just six months,” Professor Bartlett said.   

Queensland Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell said this project was an exciting step in advancing Queensland innovation.   

“The Crisafulli Government has invested $199,800 through the Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects program to this project, to create new opportunities for sustainable regional economic growth,” Minister Powell said. 

“The initiative will help to unlock the next generation of sustainable solutions to complex local and global challenges including infrastructure, critical minerals, robotics, agriculture, and environmental and coastal management.”  

Space to Sea accelerator companies 

QL Space 

QL Space is an earth-observation analytics company that turns satellite, drone and IoT data into AI-driven insights for coastal ecosystems, mining and agriculture. Their mangrove blue-carbon program and new Orbital Universe venture demonstrates a commitment to practical, downstream space solutions that deliver real-world impact across Australia, the Middle East and beyond. 

4Zero Technologies 

4Zero is future-proofing operations with software built for value chain optimisation. It deploys the power of integrated, AI enhanced technology to provide real-time access and control of operations. By fusing together, the intelligence of remote sensing and control, predictive analytics, and human resources, 4Zero implement relevant solutions that solve real problems. 

Myriad Autonomy 

Myriad Autonomy is bringing the Silicon Valley self-driving car experience and building platforms for Australia using AI and autonomy.  These platforms can be used for various maritime and air use cases for national security as well as for the private sector including security and patrol.  

V2i 

V2i helps decision makers and stakeholders to understand, discuss and solve problems quickly while reducing risk.  Their unique visualisation tool is an easy-to-use drag-and-drop 3D spatially accurate SaaS platform that brings real-world data, planning, design, collaboration, and decision making into a virtual world that anyone can use.  

Carbon Asset Solutions 

Carbon Asset Solutions’ mission is to empower landowners, managers, and other stakeholders with precise soil data, to better understand and optimise their most valuable asset - soil. A climate and agritech company, Carbon Asset Solutions measures and provides precise soil data with unmatched accuracy to empower landowners and managers, supply chain partners and investors with a complete picture of soil health. 

Mulga DC 

Mulga DC is pioneering autonomous solutions for complex environments using acoustic sensor networks.  Their solution uses innovative technologies to strengthen national security and enhance operational effectiveness on the battlefield support self-reliance while ensuring seamless interoperability with allied systems. 

Office of Planetary Observations (OPO) 

OPO is on a mission to make nature data easily accessible, supporting the regeneration of planet Earth. As a deep tech company, OPO are building out Nature Based AI and B2B SaaS solutions providing easy reporting for built environment professionals:  Tree Canopy, Biodiversity, Urban Heat island and where to plant - greening the world’s cities. 

Space Focus Australia 

Space Focus Australia is a next-generation spatial specialising in ISO-compliant geospatial intelligence, drone mapping, 3D digital reconstruction, and GIS solutions. Space Focus aums to build a Sunshine Coast-based data hub aligned with international standards, to deliver secure, high-precision spatial data services. Their solutions integrate leading technologies and are tailored for the various industry verticals such as mining, agriculture, natural resources and disaster preparedness and recovery.