News
31 October, 2025
Funding fuels accessibility
ACCESSIBILITY in Moreton Bay is set to take a major step forward, with two Queensland businesses each having received $100,000 in funding to deliver new solutions that make the city more inclusive for people with disability.
The funding follows the Innovation Challenge Showcase, as part of the Private Sector Pathways Program, where five finalists pitched their ideas to a panel of judges and more than 140 guests.
After an impressive round of presentations, Cérge and Briometrix were both announced as winners, recognised for their innovative approaches to improving access and mobility.
Co-founder of Cérge, Chris Kerrisk, said people with disabilities face two major barriers: one is lack of information to know before going somewhere and two is how affordable it is to create that information.
“We solve both those issues,” he said.
“We create a comprehensive suite of solutions, being virtual tours, audio guides, access guides, sensory guides, and a lot more, and we bundle that through technology so it can be embedded onto the council’s websites or embedded into other websites or other apps.
“Most importantly, it’s very affordable and scalable for the council.”
CEO of Briometrix, Natalie Verdon, said their project aims to reshape the way mobility and accessibility are mapped and signposted in the city.
“We map the footpath networks, but for accessibility,” she said.
“We map with the eyes of accessibility, creating colour coded maps marking difficulties or obstacles, and then we can take that data and convert it into something that can go into Council’s website.
“The council will help us refine the product, and that’s everything a startup wants. We’re really grateful they said, ‘let’s go ahead and you’re allowed to actually learn and trial,’ which is great.”
With one in five Queenslanders living with a disability, the challenge invited practical, scalable and technology-driven solutions that could improve how people with diverse mobility needs experience and navigate public spaces.
Cérge and Briometrix will now work with council staff to develop and test their pilot projects across the city.
The pilots partnership will initially run for six to eight months, with results expected to help inform future inclusion initiatives ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, such as navigation challenges and mobility limitations.
Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway, who was one of the Showcase judges, said she was inspired to see so many different approaches to improving accessibility and inclusion in City of Moreton Bay.
“The Innovation Showcase gives small businesses and start-ups the opportunity to pitch their accessibility and inclusion solutions to benefit City of Moreton Bay,” she said.
“We were so impressed by the calibre of solutions presented to us that we awarded two winners to help make our City more inclusive and improve access for all community members and visitors.
“We have a goal to make City of Moreton Bay the most accessible city in Queensland, and we’re proud to work with industry leaders like Cérge and Briometrix to help us get there.”
