A Coast startup, Blue Seas AI Consulting, is shaping how local businesses adopt artificial intelligence.
Only 18 months after launching its AI-focused services, the Buderim-based consultancy was named winner of the Advanced Technology (Small Business) category at the Sunshine Coast Business Awards 2025. The company positions itself as an AI strategic partner for businesses, helping them to harness and manage AI solutions for the long term.
“People trust us,” Founder and CEO Bart Puszko said of the award’s significance.
“Our approach is that we treat everybody as human beings with businesses they genuinely love. Their business is like their baby. The award shows people believe in us, and you can’t put a value on trust.”
With extensive corporate experience in financial services: risk management, financial crime and anti-money-laundering roles, Mr Bart Puszko was well-placed to start his own business consultancy when he moved to the Coast five years ago with his family.
After using AI to strengthen his own business, Mr Bart Puszko pivoted entirely creating and delivering AI solutions 18-months ago.
“There are a lot of amazing businesses here whose owners are incredible at doing the things they love – but they’re not necessarily great on the business side of things,” Mr Bart Puszko said.
“So, I thought, if I could grow my own business through automation and content generation, maybe I could help others too. We network heavily with cybersecurity leaders to ensure data safety, for example.”
He described AI as a “low hanging fruit” that’s now accessible at a very low cost to everyone, but the key was knowing how to use it to get a “10-out-of-10 answer from it every time”.
“There are lots of ways to use AI, but in our experience, the right partner helps you avoid missteps and get the ROI value faster,” Mr Bart Puszko said.
“Whether you’re writing a grant proposal or getting quotes out the door, AI can get you at least 85 per cent of the way from a zero standing start.
“It still will need a human to finish everything off and review it. But I think going from zero to 85 per cent is where AI’s strength lies.”
Business development manager Matthew Puszko added the company’s work is not limited to ChatGPT. The team incorporates Gemini, Claude, Copilot and other models depending on the client’s requirements.
“They all have their own little personality and they will come back to you in different ways even though you’re asking them the same question,” he said.
“So, we use a multitude (of AI platforms) based on what the use case is.”
Mr Matthew Puszko described Blue Seas AI as a “one-stop-shop” for all things AI-related. Alongside advisory and consulting, it also builds all automations for clients.
The business offers four core services:
- AI consulting and readiness – helping businesses understand whether they’re ready for AI and how to translate the technology from “glitchy FOMO” into clear financial or time-saving outcomes.
- Training and policy development – creating AI usage policies, consolidating organisational AI accounts and training staff so companies use tools like ChatGPT safely, strategically and consistently.
- Workflow automation – anything from generating automatic social media content to advanced custom systems. Bart said his consultancy saves a Coast law firm around $50,000 a month by automatically transcribing face-to-face legal meetings and automatically generating file notes and letters.
- Sales growth engines – a customised lead generation and activation system that nurtures prospects until they’re ready to book a meeting with you, or whenever they’re pre-qualified.
A major upcoming focus for the consultancy is helping local businesses prepare for the 2032 Olympic Games.
“That means getting them upskilled so they can take on the huge volume of tourists that will come,” Mr Matthew Puszko said.
“It’s almost like having one big tide that raises all the boats in the harbour. All these boats are the local businesses and they’re all getting better and smarter at the same time.”
Mr Bart Puszko is driven not just by business efficiency, but by lifestyle.
“If a dad who’s a plumber works Saturdays and misses his son’s footy games, and AI can give him five or 10 hours back each week, that’s massive. You can’t put a value on getting that time back.”
While the business is growing quickly, it remains committed to giving back. Last year Mr Bart Puszko became a Queensland Government business mentor. He’s now seeking a local non-profit to support pro bono to help them streamline admin-heavy tasks so volunteers can focus on meaningful work.
Reflecting on the SCBA win, Mr Bart Puszko was quick to acknowledge the partnerships behind their success.
“What we achieved is thanks to collaboration with Sunshine Coast Council, our clients, the Blue Seas AI team and everyone who supported us. Even though I’m the face of the business, a lot of people contribute. This award belongs to all of them.”
The company currently has three staff and is looking to grow the team within the next 12-months as it expands.
For more information, visit: Blue Seas AI
