GIS People’s RADAR damage assessment tool. Image supplied by GIS People.

The funds were awarded under the federal government’s Accelerating Commercialisation program for the Brisbane-based startup’s RADAR product. 

GIS People Founder and CEO Igor Stjepanovic was effusive about the award and the support for a growing industry of Australian spatial entrepreneurs.

“Traditionally, the geospatial industry in Australia comprises of software and hardware resellers, selling products invented and created overseas. I firmly believe that given our pool of innovative spatial thinkers in Australia, our focus should be on creating our own intellectual property and exporting that wealth of knowledge to the rest of the world,” he said.

“Our innovative software has the potential to completely reinvent the way insurance companies and government agencies deal with post-disaster situations. Recently battle tested during Cyclone Debbie, RADAR saved the Queensland Government millions of dollars. Additionally, we’ve partnered with Microsoft, DigitalGlobe, NACo and several other organisations to take our award-winning product global.”

The grant program under the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science aims to empower businesses, entrepreneurs and researchers to commercialise novel products, processes and services seen to have significant market potential.

“We are thrilled to see the Australian Government back our growing business. This is a massive vote of confidence, coming at the right time in our growth cycle,” Stjepanovic said.