Queensland-based company, Starts at 60, are heading to the grand final of a world-renowned startup competition after winning the Australian final in Brisbane this week.
Starts at 60 - Australia's top media site and e-commerce platform for Baby Boomers - were one of 10 Australian startups chosen to compete in the national finals of the Startup World Cup.
They will battle it out with other winners from 40 nations vying for the ultimate investment prize of US$1 million in capital.
Innovation Minister Kate Jones said the government had secured the national finals of the event for the first time in history as part of a partnership with Brisbane Marketing and ImagineX Ventures.
"This is a testament to the fact that Queensland is producing some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs in the world," she said.
"Congratulations to Starts at 60 for their innovative work in setting up this important community platform.
"I'm proud to say we supported this company through the Advance Queensland Business Development Fund - it's great to see that paying off now.
Ms Jones said the Palaszczuk Government was investing in innovation to support Queensland businesses.
"We're committed to supporting startups to create more jobs for Queenslanders. That's at the core of our innovation agenda," she said.
"Queensland is home to the second highest number of startups in Australia. With successes like these, we're becoming world-famous as a great place to do business."
This event comes a week after Queensland hosted QODE (the largest innovation forum in the Southern Hemisphere) in Brisbane.
"Innovation is a vital economic driver in Queensland. Over the last four years, we've supported more than 4450 innovators to create 14,800 new jobs across the state."
Starts at 60 was founded at home by Brisbane-based mum Rebecca Wilson in 2013 after seeing her retired parents look for a more fulfilling connection with the community.
"We're thrilled to have won the Australian Regional final of the Startup World Cup and we can't wait to represent the country at the Startup World Cup in San Francisco next month," Rebecca said.
"Our team, headquartered in Queensland, benefits greatly from the support of the Queensland Startup Ecosystem. It's a great place to run a fast growing business"
Now based in West End, the company has expanded to the US and is now the largest digital community of over-60s in the world with 1.2 million community members, helping seniors stay connected and form friendships via the online platform.
Brisbane Deputy Mayor Krista Adams congratulated Brisbane-based Starts at 60 for winning the Startup World Cup Australian final and wished the company the best of luck at the final pitching event in San Francisco.
"Starts at 60 is a prime example of why Brisbane is home to some of the world's most-talented entrepreneurs, startups and technology experts," Cr Adams said.
"Brisbane is now Australia's second largest city for startup founders and hosting the Australian final of the Startup Wold Cup demonstrated how we support local entrepreneurs.
"We are committed to nurturing innovation in Brisbane through such initiatives as appointing Australia's first Chief Digital Officer and launching a grant program to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses."
The grand final is due to take place in San Francisco on 17 May.
