A Birtinya-based industrial company is poised to extend its global reach after being nominated for a major international award.
GreaseBoss, founded on the Sunshine Coast in 2020, is going for gold in the Innovation World Cup Series at one of the world’s largest trade fairs, Hannover Messe.
Company co-CEO Tim Hall said the team was thrilled to be part of the event, as the only Australian finalist.
“To be nominated in the Industrial IoT category and make it through to the top three per cent and listed in the Top 15 Innovators for 2022 is really huge for us,” he said.
“It will really open up the doors in the European market for us and we are 100 per cent ready for that.”
Three mining industry engineers, Peter Condoleon, Steve Barnett and Tim Hall, launched the company after developing a novel system to automate the lubrication of heavy equipment and avoid the costly hassle of breakdowns.
GreaseBoss is a simple lubrication management system, which prevents equipment failure and reduces maintenance costs.
The product, which has recently undergone further redesign for increased simplicity and durability, is now deployed at about 15 sites, including wastewater plants and power stations.
It is in use in South Africa and GreaseBoss hopes to soon push into North and South America.
The vision for GreaseBoss is to ensure every grease point receives the right grease at the right time in the right quantity, effectively eliminating lubrication failure.
It’s backed by notable investors, including legendary US Quarterback Joe Montana (Liquid2Ventures) and Brent Watt’s 77 Partners.
Mr Montana is expected to help GreaseBoss enter the US market in the second half of the year.
At a tour of the GreaseBoss facility in Birtinya, Sunshine Coast Council councillor Peter Cox congratulated Mr Hall on being a finalist and he wished the team well before they set-off to Hannover in Germany.
“Sunshine Coast Council supports GreaseBoss through its Economic Development arm with industry development advice and connections,” councillor Cox said.
“Thanks to our connection with this outstanding local company and its executives travelling to Europe, the Invest Sunshine Coast’s Investment Prospectus will be promoted to other world class innovators.”
GreaseBoss has already made a significant impact at an international level.
The firm’s co-founders took part in a prestigious Silicon Valley accelerator program known as Y Combinator last year.
GreaseBoss was the only Australian outfit among 17,000 applicants worldwide to be accepted into the twice-yearly program, which included a $125,000 capital injection, three months’ mentoring over Zoom and a pitch to private equity players.
Some of the previous participants have gone on to enjoy huge success, including Airbnb, Dropbox and DoorDash.
The company also signed its first major contract with mining giant Glencore last year, to provide intelligent grease application hardware and cloud tracking technology beginning with the Oaky Creek North site.
Meanwhile, a Manufacturing Excellence Forum event will be held at the GreaseBoss HQ in Birtinya on May 26, from 5pm to 7pm.
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The winners of the Hanover Messe Innovation World Cup Series will be announced on June 1.
The series is the world’s leading tech open innovation platform and has supported breakthrough techpreneurs and their innovations since 2003.
Watch the pitch and award ceremony at Hannover Messe.
