AN INVITATION TO JOIN 

GC Startups

Be part of Australia's 
fastest growing

startup ecosystem
Gold Coast, South East Queensland:
Where Lifestyle Meets Innovation – Australia’s and APACs Next Startup Powerhouse.


What are the essentials for a world class Startup Ecosystem?

The world’s best startup ecosystems share a common formula — they connect bold entrepreneurs and smart capital through the right mix of funding, talent, and support. These three pillars create the foundation for scalable, investable ventures and give both founders and investors the confidence to build something that truly lasts. 

Deep Talent and
Knowledge Networks

People power the best ecosystems. Founders thrive when surrounded by experienced mentors, operators, and creative talent willing to share insights and strategies.

Ecosystems create organic connections — through events, communities, and incubators — that accelerate learning and execution. For investors, this shortens the learning curve and boosts confidence in founder teams supported by deep, engaged networks.

Access to Capital
and Deal Flow

Thriving startup ecosystems make it easy for capital to find great ideas. Founders gain access to early and growth-stage funding through angels, VCs, and accelerator networks. For entrepreneurs, this unlocks momentum and the ability to scale fast.

For investors, it means steady deal flow — startups that are coached, de-risked, and often showing early traction. Ecosystems that align capital with ambition fuel innovation at every stage.

Startup Infrastructure
& Support

Top ecosystems provide the tools and services that help startups move fast and stay focused. From legal and financial support to tech platforms and market access, infrastructure reduces friction and increases execution speed.

Founders spend less time solving admin and more time creating value. For investors, this means startups can scale efficiently, compliantly, and with clearer paths to market and exit.

Why the Gold Coast? 

The City's commitment to the outcome:

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has outlined a bold vision to transform the city into Australia’s Silicon Valley, with a clear focus on attracting high-tech industries and innovation. In response to British AI firm AutogenAI establishing its HQ in Southport, he said, “We’re brain draining Melbourne and Sydney and at the same time retaining Gold Coast quality talent in this industry.”

To fuel this transformation, initiatives like Invest Gold Coast are aiming to inject $10 billion into the local economy and create thousands of jobs. Coupled with a surge in high-tech startups and a wave of company relocations, the Gold Coast is quickly becoming a magnet for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurial talent.

A Global City with
Lifestyle Magnetism

The Gold Coast offers what few tech hubs can — a world-class lifestyle that fuels creativity, wellbeing, and long-term founder sustainability.

With 300 days of sunshine, stunning beaches, and a vibrant cultural scene, it’s no surprise digital entrepreneurs, creators, and remote teams are relocating here. The result? A growing talent pool that isn’t just visiting — they’re staying and building.

Olympic-Driven Infrastructure and Global Visibility

The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will deliver transformative investment across South East Queensland, including the Gold Coast.

From transport and digital infrastructure to international media attention, the city is poised for a decade of accelerated growth — a unique window to build globally scalable startups in a high-impact, high-visibility environment..
Write your awesome label here.

Next-Gen Talent Meets Entrepreneurial Energy

Home to leading universities like Griffith and Bond, the Gold Coast produces thousands of graduates every year in technology, design, business, and health.

Combined with an influx of skilled migrants and digital nomads, there’s a powerful convergence of youthful energy, ambition, and global perspective — perfect conditions for startup formation and scale.

Backed by Visionary Investment and Government Support

With major initiatives like Invest Gold Coast targeting $10 billion in economic growth, and the city’s active push to become a tech and innovation leader, startups are gaining access to funding, infrastructure, and incentives.

From the mayor to grassroots incubators, the ecosystem has momentum and backing from both the top and bottom.

Why Lifestyle Cities Like the Gold Coast Are the New Frontier for Startups.

Around the world, lifestyle cities are rapidly becoming magnets for entrepreneurs, tech talent, and startup capital — and it's no surprise. Places like the Gold Coast offer not only a world-class quality of life but also the tools and infrastructure to build globally competitive companies. As remote work and digital businesses rise, founders are choosing to build where they actually want to live — near the beach, in vibrant, creative communities, with all the freedom and inspiration that comes with it.

Startup ecosystems are no longer confined to crowded metros. Today’s founders seek balance, cost-effectiveness, and lifestyle perks alongside startup support, funding access, and a connected tech scene. The Gold Coast is emerging as a prime example of this shift — blending business potential with an unbeatable lifestyle.
Write your awesome label here.

Key Reasons Why Lifestyle Cities Are Emerging
Startup Hubs:

   Talent Magnet: High quality of life attracts top global talent and retains local graduates.

 Cost Advantage: Lower living and operating costs compared to major capital cities.

  Remote-Ready: Digital businesses can operate anywhere — lifestyle cities are now viable HQs.

  Work-Life Harmony: Access to nature, surf, and sun leads to happier, more productive teams.

 Government Support: Regional investment incentives and fast-growing startup infrastructure.

  Creative Ecosystems: Vibrant local culture encourages innovation and outside-the-box thinking.

  Founders' Choice: More entrepreneurs are prioritizing where they want to live and build.

Why Coastal Cities Are Thriving Startup Hubs

  • Great Talent Wants a Lifestyle to Match 
    The allure of coastal living—sunny climates, vibrant cultures, and recreational opportunities—draws top talent. In Tel Aviv, the Mediterranean setting complements a high quality of life, attracting entrepreneurs and tech professionals. Similarly, Los Angeles' "Silicon Beach" area offers a blend of beachside living and urban amenities, appealing to a diverse workforce.

  •  Dense Innovation Ecosystems
    Tel Aviv boasts over 4,000 startups, making it one of the highest per capita globally. The city's compact size fosters close-knit communities and rapid knowledge exchange. In Los Angeles, the concentration of tech companies in Santa Monica and Venice has created a collaborative environment known as Silicon Beach

  • Access to Capital and Infrastructure
    Both cities have robust investment landscapes. Tel Aviv has attracted significant venture capital, with $30 billion raised between 2017 and 2021. Los Angeles, with its proximity to major ports and LAX airport, offers logistical advantages and has seen a surge in tech investments, making it the third-largest startup market in the U.S.

  • Cultural and Creative Synergy
    Tel Aviv's diverse population and open culture encourage innovation and risk-taking. Los Angeles leverages its entertainment industry roots, fostering creativity that spills over into tech sectors like digital media and gaming.

  • The Mediterranean.
     Coastal cities in the Mediterranean are rapidly emerging as vibrant startup hubs, combining lifestyle appeal with robust innovation ecosystems. Cities like Málaga, Malta, and Cyprus exemplify this trend, fostering world-class startups and attracting global talent.

  • Málaga, Spain: A Creative Tech Powerhouse
    Málaga has transformed into one of Spain's leading startup ecosystems, ranking fifth nationally. The city is home to notable startups like Freepik, a stock image platform that has achieved significant success, including a €250 million acquisition by EQT. Other prominent startups include BeSoccer, a football data app with over 15 million active users, and Uptodown, an alternative app store boasting 450 million downloads per month. Málaga's strategic location, quality of life, and supportive infrastructure make it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

  • Cyprus is gaining momentum as a key player in the Mediterranean startup landscape. 
    It recently climbed nine places to rank 45th globally in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index. The ecosystem is thriving in sectors like fintech, edtech, gaming, and blockchain, supported by a combination of government incentives, private capital, and a highly educated workforce.

    One standout success is LearnWorlds, a leading online course platform used by thousands of creators and educators globally — including our own team. Founded in Limassol, LearnWorlds showcases how Cyprus can incubate globally scalable, high-impact tech ventures. Events like the Reflect Festival and a growing number of accelerators and VCs are continuing to drive the ecosystem forward.

Our Role in Shaping the Future of the Gold Coast Startup Ecosystem

We believe the Gold Coast has all the raw ingredients to become one of the world’s most dynamic hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship. Our mission is to help make that vision a reality — not just by talking about what’s possible, but by building the infrastructure, programs, and pathways that make it inevitable. Here’s how we are helping to achieve this vision.  

Venture Creation at Scale

We design and build high-growth, scalable startups from the ground up — turning ideas into globally viable businesses through our venture sprint model. From ideation to launch, we provide the blueprint, mentoring, and capital access to help founders create ventures capable of generating $1M–$10M+ ARR.

Building Talent and Founders Locally

We run world-class sprints, challenges, and digital entrepreneurship programs designed to activate the next generation of founders, creators, and digital innovators — right here on the Gold Coast. Whether someone has an idea or is looking to join a startup, we give them the tools and pathways to grow.

Creating a Magnet for Investment and Innovation

We’re building bridges between local opportunity and global capital. Through our venture fund, global network, and investor readiness programs, we’re creating a pipeline that makes the Gold Coast a serious destination for investment, scale-ups, and sustainable startup success.
Write your awesome label here.

The Power of Community:

Three Member Profiles Driving the Gold Coast Startup Ecosystem

Every thriving startup ecosystem is built on a dynamic mix of people who bring energy, insight, capital, and execution. The Gold Coast is no different. We’re creating a connected community of innovators, builders, and enablers — all playing a vital role in shaping the future.
Empty space, drag to resize


Entrepreneurs & Talent

Founders, builders, and creative thinkers are the core of the ecosystem. Whether you're launching, scaling, or joining a venture, the Gold Coast offers the resources, mentorship, and energy to turn big ideas into thriving businesses.


Investors & Mentors

From angels to VCs, this group brings more than funding. They provide strategic insight, experience, and belief — helping founders grow faster and smarter while reducing early-stage risk.


Strategic Partners & Service Providers

From legal and tech support to marketing and education, these partners provide the essential tools and services startups need. As the ecosystem expands, so do opportunities for these enablers to help shape the next wave of innovation.

     Stay up-to-date


     Upcoming events

Write your awesome label here.

Keep in the loop of whats happening in GC Startups 

Thank you!
We will let you know about upcoming events and progress in building this game changing ecosystem. 
Created with