Coopetition is the concept that creates Queensland's innovation ecosystem.

We are at the same boat.

Each innovation ecosystem is built in a different way, there is no right formula. The inspiration that came from Silicon Valley has inspired everyone else, but it never happens in the same way. We've seen other places try to follow a formula without significant results. Although I've only been in Australia for a short time, I'm starting to build my perception of the country's innovation ecosystem, its modus operandi, public and private players, entrepreneurs and the country's most latent pains. But I can speak with a little more ownership of the one I've become part of, the ecosystem of Queensland, the third largest city in the country and the one I chose to live in with my family and undertake. Before long, I entered with Tontongue an accelerator programme supported by the Queensland Government, and we passed a big sift for an AI competition, organised jointly by Google, A Venture Capital and once again a government body focused on innovation, CSIRO. It was two months of learning and making connections. For the last five days I was immersed in an innovation festival built in a completely creative format, super informal and focused on creating real connections between people. The Tropical Innovation FestivaI left with many lessons learnt, leads, new business possibilities and countless open doors that will require immediate action. But what about Queensland's innovation ecosystem? What is my perception of it?

Regardless of players, organisations, associations or companies, an ecosystem is built with people who have the same goal: to grow together. Yes, in my opinion, it's the will of the people and the team that is formed around this goal, each fulfilling their role, but encouraging and supporting their partners when possible and even when it seems impossible. Queenaland's government is made up of people, the money they invest helps to move the gears, but it's the people who are in office who will make the difference. One of the first government people I came into contact with was Julia Spicer OAM , chief innovation entrepreneur for the Queensland government. In a conversation over Zoom, she opened doors for me and gave me several suggestions for new contacts. Again, it is all about people. The same can be said about VCs, yes, they're after profit and building their businesses, but they're open-minded and I've met several of them who are extremely attentive and genuinely want to help the wealth and ideas being created by entrepreneurs flourish. Also, It was a pleasure to meet so many entrepreneurial people who are very receptive to a new member of the game. I'm grateful to have met each and every one of them and to have listened to their stories, during pitches, breaks, lunches, in the corridor and, of course, on the great barrier reef :) The grand finale: I remember the day I saw a post on Instagram about the event, went to the website, downloaded the media kit and sent a message to one of the event's creators and a key part of the ecosystem. Tara Diversi and her partner Kate Montgomery got back to me and encouraged me to come and realise that was a different kind of event, one that people were making and living intensely. Now, after five days, I understand why. Thank you Tara and Kate. We Brazilians grew up hearing about our achievements in football World Cups we won, that the main reason we won was because that group of people formed a real team and committed themselves body and soul to achieving what they wanted. That spirit is being created in the Queensland innovation ecosystem. The results are already coming in and in five years' time we'll look back and see even more. Thank you for being part of it!! #tontongue #innovation #queenslandadvance