Next Wave Investment Attraction Program
A clearer pathway for ambitious businesses to invest, expand and establish on the Gold Coast.
Invest Gold Coast’s streamlined investment attraction program is a structured, competitive pathway for high- quality businesses to secure funding for projects of genuine strategic value to the city.
The Next Wave program offers two competitive rounds each year, seeking projects across health, screen, education, advanced manufacturing, tourism, sport and the knowledge economy which builds upon the Gold Coast’s momentum as one of Australia’s fastest growing, most diverse economies.
What we're looking for
Next Wave supports established and emerging local, national and international businesses with implementation-ready projects delivering measurable local benefit. It is not intended for early-stage or speculative ideas
Projects will need to demonstrate
The following considerations will guide the assessment process and help determine suitability for support through the program.
Delivering economic impact, job creation, investment, supply-chain or sector-capability outcomes for the Gold Coast.
A credible, well-defined business case ready to move.
Program support will genuinely influence whether, where, when or how the project proceeds.
Alignment with one or more of the city’s priority sectors:
- Knowledge economy
- Health and wellbeing
- Building future industries
- Tourism, sport and major events
- Education and future skills
- Screen and game production
The commercial, technical and financial capability to deliver.
Projects we're looking to support
Priority will be given to projects that align with the objectives of the program and deliver meaningful outcomes for the region.
New, relocating or expanding businesses delivering significant investment, jobs or productive capacity.
Initiatives that strengthen priority sectors or address market gaps.
New products, technologies, research or export initiatives.
Events, showcases, delegations or programs.
Program at a glance
Next Wave operates through two clear pathways, giving local, national and international businesses a defined route to investment support.
program at a glance
Stream one
- Pathway: Continuous investment attraction
- Purpose: High value, time sensitive investment opportunities.
- Typical scale: Above $250,000.
- How it works: Continuous on application.
Program at a glance
Stream two
- Pathway: Strategic round-based grants.
- Purpose: Targeted, competitive grants for strategic sector projects.
- Typical scale: $25,000 - $250,000.
- How it works: Biannual competitive rounds.
What you can do now
Start preparing
Prospective applicants may wish to begin preparing key information
A business and project overview.
A business case outlining why funding is being sought and how the proposed project aligns with the Program's objectives.
Project delivery milestones and indicative timelines.
Financial viability, project budget and funding source information.
Employment, investment and other anticipated economic impact projections.
Supporting evidence demonstrating how program support would materially influence the project's location, timing, scale, scope or delivery potential.
Success story
ModnPods - Building multi-storey modular housing solutions
