QLD Govt invests in tech to improve safer work journeys

A Townsville tech firm, which has developed a method of using mobile phones to improve travel safety between job sites, will receive a $500,000 investment from the Queensland Government’s Business Development Fund.

State Treasurer Curtis Pitt announced the funding for JESI Management Solutions’ $1 million journey management software with co-investor Future Now Ventures at the Townsville Chamber of Commerce Budget Lunch this week.

It is the first regional investment made by the $40 million Business Development Fund.

JESI Management Solutions co-founder and director Joe Hoolahan said in a statement that the software allows staff to map their own journeys, select their mode of transport, create checkpoints and indicate the time of their journey, wherever they are in the world.

“With greater workplace health and safety compliance requirements JESI provides a cost effective solution for companies to manage their employees’ journeys and respond to incidents when they occur,” Mr. Hoolahan said.

He added that the investment from the Queensland Government will enable the company to further develop the software and accelerate its expansion both domestically and abroad.

Mr. Pitt said in a statement that it is great to see a Townsville-based company leading the way in creating real-time monitoring of journeys, which enables employers to respond quickly in the event of an emergency.

“The company’s innovative end-to-end journey management software enables employers to safeguard their employees whenever travelling, regardless of where they are in the world,” he said.

“Providing a safe work environment goes beyond the traditional bricks and mortar locations where management have direct sight of their staff – it now includes employers ensuring staff arrive safely at locations that involve remote and isolated conditions.

“In the digital age logging journeys no longer needs to be a manual task and this technology is a real game changer, particularly in regional Queensland and for long-haul drivers.

The Business Development Fund invests from $125,000 up to $2.5 million in matched funding, alongside private sector co-investors to assist businesses turn their ideas and innovations into commercial realities.