New mining businesses are invited to pitch their business ideas to help better service the industry.
The new Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) Accelerator Program is offering up to 10 places for startups based in Central Queensland to commercialise their ideas. The program will run between 7 March and 11 April 2019.
The criteria states applicants must be registered startups or scale-ups with an “innovative, cost-saving or production-efficient product or service that could be introduced to the mining sector”. Companies need to be prepared to operate and employ staff in the Rockhampton or Central Queensland region and supply the mining, energy and resources sectors.
“METS Ignited encourages regional SMEs to take advantage of local accelerator programs like this one to expand their industry connections, boost their capabilities and realise commercialisation opportunities,” METS Ignited CEO Dr Ian Dover said.
The program, METS Ignited and Rockhampton SmartHub, is fully funded through the State Government and operated through Rockhampton Regional Council.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our local startups to get the assistance and mentoring they need to take their product to the next level and revolutionise the mining industry,” Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said in a public statement. “[We] can’t wait to see what local ideas turn into reality as a result of this program.”
The State Government has allocated $1.8 million of funding for 2018-19 to encourage innovation and job growth in the $7 billion METS sector.
“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,” State Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said.
The METS sector employs about 20,000 people in Queensland and the program is one initiative to help create a further 3000 extra jobs throughout the next decade.
“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,” State Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said.
Applications close 25 February 2019.
For more information click here.
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