Why the Gold Coast? Launchpad for a comeback
A Move Long in the Making
For my family and me, the Gold Coast was always on the horizon. Long before the word "Covid" entered our vocabulary, we had discussed the shift for the lifestyle it offered. But as 2020 bled into 2021/22, the choice evolved from a personal desire to a professional mandate. While Melbourne’s commercial DNA was being rewritten by 270 days of lockdown and the struggles it has created for this once great city, the Gold Coast was emerging as the most dynamic regional economy in the country.
The Strategic Migration
Leaving a legacy environment isn't about running away; it's about moving to where the "Possibility" is highest. In 2026, the data confirms what we felt in 2022: the Gold Coast is no longer just a holiday destination. It is the largest non-capital city economy in Australia, with a Gross Regional Product approaching $50 billion and a tech sector growing at double the national average.
10 Reasons Why the Gold Coast is Australia’s Top Startup Ecosystem
To build V1, I needed an ecosystem that favored velocity over bureaucracy. Here is why the Gold Coast is the new "Silicon Beach":
Highest Startups Per Capita: The region consistently punches above its weight, with one of the highest densities of early-stage ventures in the country.
A "Pro-Startup" Council: The City of Gold Coast doesn't just talk; they invest. From the Investment & Business Attraction Program to dedicated mentoring and pitch nights, the local government functions like a venture partner.
The Tech Surge: The city’s tech sector is now worth $1.4 billion to the local economy, employing over 9,000 specialists in AI, space-tech, and fintech.
The "Brain Gain": Post-Covid, the region has seen a massive "reverse brain drain" as top-tier talent from Melbourne and Sydney relocated for the lifestyle, bringing their global networks with them.
Unrivaled Collaboration: Hubs like the Gold Coast Innovation Hub and the Health and Knowledge Precinct foster a culture where founders actually talk to—and help—each other.
Capital Efficiency: Australia leads the world in "Unicorn Efficiency" (creating $1B companies per dollar invested), and the Gold Coast is the epicenter of this lean-growth mindset.
Specialized Industry Clusters: From Gilmour Space Technologies (rocket pioneers) to Zepto (fintech giants), the GC is proving it can support complex, deep-tech industries.
Infrastructure Velocity: Major investments in the M1, Light Rail Stage 3, and the subsea hypercable provide the physical and digital foundations for global scale.
Gateway to Asia: Our proximity to Brisbane and its international connections makes the GC the perfect launchpad for ventures looking toward the Asia-Pacific markets.
The Lifestyle ROI: When your team can surf at 6 AM and be in a strategy session by 8 AM, the mental clarity and retention rates are off the charts. High-performance work requires high-quality rest.
While the Gold Coast offered a new beginning, the decision to leave was driven by the intense pressures of the previous two years. You can read the full context of my journey from the Melbourne lockdowns to understand why this pivot was so necessary.
In this environment, I’ve been able to focus on what truly drives long-term value in the digital age: the intersection of human intuition and advanced technology. It’s a philosophy that only becomes clear when you step out of the noise and into a space designed for growth.
This 'Blue Zone' energy is the heartbeat of our current projects. We are currently applying these principles to our latest digital venture pipelines at V1 Venture Studio, architecting success from the ground up.
The V1 Conclusion
V1 wasn’t designed to survive the old world; it was built to lead the new one. By grounding our operations in the fastest-growing region in Australia, we ensure that every venture we design has the best possible "Launchpad" for success.
