More than 165 attendees gathered at UniSC Moreton Bay on 9 July for the 2026 Startup World Cup Queensland Final, hosted by Innovate Moreton Bay. The event brought together founders, investors, industry leaders and innovation enthusiasts for an inspiring evening that highlighted the strength and ambition of Queensland’s startup ecosystem.
12 outstanding startup teams took to the stage to pitch innovative solutions tackling some of today’s most pressing challenges. Their ideas spanned a diverse range of sectors, including supply chain optimisation, environmental protection, accessible public transport, cybersecurity and deepfake detection, infection control, autonomous systems, and reusable rocket technology.
The finalists demonstrated not only technical excellence, but also the entrepreneurial spirit driving the next generation of Australian innovation.
Recognising outstanding innovation
A distinguished judging panel of Pauline Fetaui, Julien Taylor, Annie Lawrence, Craig Josic, Audun Fiskerud and Peta Ellis had the difficult task of selecting the winner from an exceptional field of competitors.
ProcurePro was awarded the Judge’s Choice Award, earning the opportunity to represent Queensland on the world stage at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in Silicon Valley. There, the team will compete alongside global startups for the chance to secure US$1 million in investment funding.
Meanwhile, Hailo Solutions claimed the People’s Choice Award for the second consecutive year. The award reflects strong support for the company's mission to make public transport more inclusive and accessible for people around the world.
A global pathway for Queensland startups
Startup World Cup is one of the world’s leading startup competitions, featuring more than 100 regional events across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Regional winners advance to the Grand Finale in San Francisco, where they pitch to leading investors, venture capital firms and global media representatives.
Beyond the opportunity to compete for US$1 million in investment, finalists gain international exposure, valuable networking opportunities and access to a global innovation community.
Powered by strong partnerships
The success of the Queensland final was made possible through the collaboration of key ecosystem partners, including the Queensland Government, City of Moreton Bay, Innovate Moreton Bay, Creative HQ, Startup&Angels by Australiance, and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Together, these organisations continue to create opportunities for founders, foster innovation-led growth, and strengthen Moreton Bay’s position as an emerging hub for entrepreneurship and technology.
Meet the Queensland finalists
The event showcased an exceptional cohort of startups, each contributing innovative solutions with real-world impact:
- Rocket Fast Drones
- Phantom Dynamics
- UVSentry
- Urban Inventors Smart Drain
- Fempro Armour
- ID/Ai – Salt & Light
- StatDoctor
- ScreenCoach
- NOYA Biomedical
- Fidestra AI
- Hailo Solutions
- ProcurePro
As these companies continue to grow, they represent the depth of talent, creativity and determination that is shaping the future of innovation in Queensland and beyond.
Congratulations to all finalists for their achievements and for inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Last updated: 23 Jul 2026