Queensland competition offers ultimate prize: rent-free headquarters for five years plus $250k fit-out budget. Entries close November 14.
What’s happening: City of Moreton Bay and UniSC are offering one innovative business a rent-free headquarters for five years, valued at over $1 million, in Queensland’s fastest-growing innovation ecosystem.
Why this matters: The competition removes financial barriers for scale-ups ready to expand, embedding them in a region where one in six Australians will soon call home.
A bold new initiative is offering one innovative business the chance to secure their very own Ultimate HQ rent-free for five years in booming South East Queensland.
Valued at more than $1 million, the prize is a state-of-the-art space inside the Moreton Bay Central innovation precinct at University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) campus, just 30 minutes north of Brisbane CBD.
The competition is an initiative of City of Moreton Bay and UniSC, designed to supercharge the growth of high-potential businesses by embedding them into one of Australia’s fastest-growing innovation ecosystems.
Million-dollar opportunity
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the opportunity was a game-changer for entrepreneurs ready to scale.
“Opportunities like this don’t come around often, and Council and the university are proactively removing the financial handbrake to give an innovative scale-up business the opportunity to build, experiment, and grow in City of Moreton Bay, Australia’s third largest local government by population,” he said.
“Moreton Bay Central and City of Moreton Bay sit at the heart of South East Queensland (SEQ), a fast-growing region already home to 4.2 million people, with 1 in 6 Australians to soon call SEQ home.”
The Ultimate Headquarters prize package includes five years of rent-free space within a premium industrial strength facility, $250,000 towards a custom office fit-out, concierge service from Innovate Moreton Bay, and introduction to corporate partners local business networks, academia, and student talent.
UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, said that locating a business within the university campus offered several opportunities for industry innovation and growth.
“Businesses can tap into our community of researchers and educators while connecting with, and fostering, new graduates,” Professor Bartlett said.
“With Moreton Bay’s population projected to increase to 690,000 by 2041, UniSC will play a key role in supporting rapid workforce development by building the skills that businesses need across key areas such as engineering, information and communications, science, early childhood and aged care.”
Expert judging panel
The competition entries will be judged by an expert panel of judges from City of Moreton Bay, UniSC, and powerhouse partners including BDO, Constant Contact, KL Gates, Telstra, and Westpac, with each bringing unique expertise, networks, and resources to support the winning business.
Gus Balbontin, renowned futurist and investor, said the competition was an example of what’s possible when government, education, and industry come together to back entrepreneurs.
“I’ve worked with startups and scale-ups around the world, and what they need most is room to breathe and room to build. The Ultimate HQ offers both, plus access to talent, collaboration, and lifestyle. It’s a dream scenario for any business ready to take the leap,” Mr Balbontin said.
The competition is open to scale-up businesses domestically and internationally in multiple sectors including food and agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, innovation and sport among others.
Innovation Safari finale
Entries are now open until 14 November, 2025. Five finalists will visit City of Moreton Bay in February 2026 for an Innovation Safari, a week-long series of activities immersing them in the area’s business, lifestyle and innovation ecosystem before making a final pitch at a gala event where the winner will be announced.
For businesses looking to scale, Queensland continues to offer various funding opportunities and support programs, with the Australian startup ecosystem navigating ongoing funding challenges.
Entries can be submitted online via the competition landing page www.theultimatehq.com.au.
