Over the past decade, Brisbane has transformed into one of Asia-Pacific’s most dynamic centers for MedTech innovation and commercialization. This remarkable evolution is the result of a deliberate strategy led by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), which has positioned the city as a launchpad for global health technologies through sustained investment, visionary leadership, and a collaborative approach that unites government, academia, and industry.
BEDA: Orchestrating Growth and Global Connections
BEDA’s mission to drive sustainable economic growth by fostering innovation and attracting investment is at the heart of Brisbane’s MedTech ascent. BEDA’s holistic approach aligns the city’s world-class research institutions, hospitals, and universities with a vibrant start-up culture and robust infrastructure. The result is an integrated ecosystem that supports MedTech startups from ideation to international expansion.
Brisbane’s strategic location in Queensland—the world’s 12th-largest economy—provides seamless access to a $90 trillion innovation corridor. With 17 Free Trade Agreements and globally competitive business incentives, the city offers MedTech companies a cost-effective base for scaling into Asian and global markets. The city also boasts the largest healthcare precinct in the Southern Hemisphere and a health sector projected to grow by 36% by 2031, supported by more than 140 innovation hubs and a steady pipeline of skilled graduates from the University of Queensland and other leading institutions.
The BEDA-LSN Partnership: Bridging Brisbane and the World
One facet of BEDA’s strategy is its partnership with Life Science Nation (LSN), a Boston-based commercialization platform renowned for connecting life science companies with global investors and licensing partners. Over three years, BEDA and LSN have launched a bespoke global accelerator program that provides Brisbane startups access to LSN’s proprietary investor database, entrepreneurial education, and participation in RESI Global Partnering Events.
This collaboration has established an actual two-way innovation bridge. Through the accelerator, Brisbane companies embark on 12- to 18-month global roadshows, pitching their technologies to international capital investors and licensing partners at premier events like J.P. Morgan Healthcare Week in San Francisco, where LSN has been hosting its RESI JPM partnering event for the past 13 years. In return, global capital, strategic partners, and Pharma seeking licensing deals flow back into Brisbane, amplifying its reputation and strengthening its local ecosystem.
Tangible Impact: Success Stories and Economic Growth
The impact of the BEDA/LSN global accelerator is evident in the success of its alumni. Within just 24 months, 90% of participating companies have collectively raised over $110 million, with many securing new partnerships, investments, or clients within a year of graduation. Brisbane startups have also consistently earned global recognition on the RESI Innovation Challenge stage, winning top honors in LSN’s Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) across multiple years. Podium finishes include:
- Field Orthopaedics – Gold, RESI JPM 2023
- Max Kelsen – Silver, RESI JPM 2023
- Clinials – Silver, RESI BIO Boston 2023
- Convergence Medical – Silver, RESI JPM 2024
- Gelomics – Bronze, RESI JPM 2024
- Kimaritec – Gold, RESI JPM 2025
Notably, Convergence Medical, a Brisbane-based company, developed a world-first arthroscopic surgical robot, securing a $5 million investment from U.S.-based Avicella Capital due to meeting up at LSN’s RESI JP Morgan event in 2024 and closing the deal a year later at RESI JPM in 2025. Convergence was also accepted into the FDA Breakthrough Devices Program thanks to connections made through the accelerator. Other alumni, including Microbio and De Motu Cordis, have achieved regulatory milestones and expanded into new markets.
BEDA’s efforts have also attracted significant international players. Stryker, a U.S. MedTech giant, opened its first R&D lab in Brisbane’s Herston Health Precinct, citing the city’s collaborative ecosystem and access to top scientific talent as key reasons for their investment.
A Blueprint for the Future
Brisbane’s MedTech success is not an overnight phenomenon. It is the product of sustained investment, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to collaboration. As the city prepares to host the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, billions of dollars in new health infrastructure projects are underway, further enhancing Brisbane’s global profile and capacity for innovation.
For MedTech pioneers, Brisbane now offers more than just a supportive environment—it provides a proven pathway to global markets. Through the combined efforts of BEDA, LSN, and an engaged network of local and international partners, Brisbane has become a beacon for health innovation, investment, and opportunity in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Next Phase Newsletter 
Leave a comment