The program, run by KPMG, is a 12-week program offering mentoring, deep-dive workshops and exposure to industry experts, including potential customers to help METS players refine and commercialise their ideas.

It is a joint initiative between the Queensland government and METS industry growth centre METS Ignited and will have space for up to eight companies with a prototype or well advanced product or service.

Those companies will gain access to financial, marketing, commercial and technical advice to help them commercialise their products and gain additional traction in the mining sector.

KPMG Australia Igniting METS Accelerator program director Ashley Brown said he looked forward to helping uncover the next wave of mining sector innovation and helping late-stage start-ups progress from product to customer to global markets.

“This is a massive opportunity for start-ups founders and established small to medium-sized enterprises looking for business with Australia’s $118 billion mining sector,” he said.

“Past participants have graduated KPMG Energise and gone on to win millions of dollars of business, as well as closing major funding rounds.”

Queensland Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham said the Queensland government wanted to grow the state’s METS sector.

“The late-stage Igniting METS accelerator will complement the Unearthed accelerator program run out of the Department of Science, Information and Technology and Innovation that was launched two weeks ago,” he said.

“That early-stage accelerator targets METS companies at an earlier stage of commercialisation.”

Lynham said the resources industry was part of the lifeblood of the Queensland economy.

“We know mining, we know gas, and we know the technology and services those industries need to thrive,” he said.

The Queensland government put $6 million into METS Ignited to help get the growth centre based in Queensland. METS Ignited also received $14 million from the Australian government.

METS Ignited CEO Ric Gros said the accelerator would help develop new mining sector solutions, drive greater industry collaboration and foster commercialisation outcomes.

“The Igniting METS Accelerator offers founders a unique opportunity to work with leading mining companies, as well as to access proven knowledge and expertise to help rapidly grow their business,” he said.