The Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s (BEDA) Future Food Global Accelerator has chosen its latest cohort of 15 local food and beverage companies to support in exporting their products worldwide.
According to BEDA’s State of The City report, Brisbane’s advanced manufacturing sector is growing at a rate five times faster than the national average. With proximity offering direct access to the Asia-Pacific market – home to a $90 trillion GDP and 47 per cent of global trade – Brisbane is positioned to give local manufacturers a competitive edge on the global stage.
Since 2018, BEDA’s Future Food Initiative has supported over 400 businesses, including big names Merlo Coffee, Hilton Foods, JBS Food Australia and New Farm Confectionery. The 2025 cohort features a diverse mix of best-selling authors, family-run businesses, First Nations enterprises and sustainable brands.
Now in its eighth year, this month-long program provides personalised support, helping businesses navigate key challenges and connecting them with leading industry experts to accelerate their path to global success.
Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner, said the diverse cohort reflected Brisbane’s growing creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
“From innovative startups to beloved local brands, our food and beverage scene is part of what makes Brisbane a fantastic place to live, work and relax,” said Schrinner.
“We’re proud to support local businesses as they serve up their products to a global audience and secure exciting opportunities for international expansion. Our Future Food Global Accelerator is one of many initiatives we deliver to support startups and grow Brisbane’s international reputation as a great place to do business.
“With our strong manufacturing capabilities, world-class research institutions and thriving culinary scene, Brisbane is the place to turn bold ideas into reality,” he said.
The 2025 Future Food Global Accelerator Program will run throughout February, giving companies direct access to industry experts, tailored mentoring and the tools they need to scale and grow into international markets.
Brisbane’s FY25 Future Food cohort
- Brooki Bakehouse – Viral sensation Brooki Bakehouse is no stranger to customers lining up around the block – the cult social media phenomenon capturing the attention of dessert lovers locally and globally. Founded by Brooke Bellamy and serving freshly baked products from its tiny shopfront in Fortitude Valley’s Heritage-listed Stewart & Hemmant building, Brooki Bakehouse is expanding. A second store serves hungry travellers at Brisbane Domestic Airport and a third store is slated for Chermside in 2025. The bakehouse’s signature cookies, cakes and sweet treats also ship globally to customers across Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada and Singapore.
- Carbonaught – Carbonaught is pioneering a new era in low-emission agriculture. The company transforms mining waste into carbon-removing, nutrient-rich fertiliser, reducing farmers' reliance on imported synthetic fertilisers. By enabling enhanced rock weathering on farms, Carbonnaught improves soil health, captures CO2, and provides farmers with low-emission inputs. CEO Andrew Pedley brings 15 years in finance, heavy industry and agricultural innovation to align scientific advancements with business operations, sales and marketing.
- Dhuwa Coffee (Aromas) – Born from the legacy of First Nations people and the shared passion of Bunji Enterprises and Aromas Coffee Roasters, Dhuwa is creating a sustainable future for coffee. Dhuwa Coffee's co-founders bring deep expertise in Indigenous business, supply chain management, and brand development to foster sustainable growth and lasting community impact. Adam Williams has extensive experience in scaling businesses and building strategic partnerships, including securing national distribution deals. Drew Paten brings a rich background in coffee industry innovation and community engagement, driving growth through product development and market positioning.
- Good Morning Roaster – Good Morning Coffee is on a mission to redefine the coffee experience. Co-founders Taaj Kumar and Cristian Campo Figueroa own and manage a coffee farm in Colombia, importing the coffee beans to Australia to roast and brew cold brew concentrate in Brisbane. Their passion for product and sustainable practices have whet the appetites of local consumers with the duo already establishing relationships with some of the biggest coffee roasters in the country to fuel their pipeline.
- Grove Juice – Grove’s network of family farms works together to plant, grow, harvest, select and squeeze every last drop so customers enjoy 100% natural, farm-quality juice. The family-run business was founded in 1969 and continues to support and nurture its community of growers and farmers under the leadership of Director, Dick Estens.
- Hampson Honey – Hampson Honey is a family business with a genuine passion for its people, partners and the planet. Owners Carl and Karin Hampson pride themselves on ethical farming, focusing the bee’s needs at the centre of their operations and offering a hive-to-home product. Their 100% Australian raw honey is never heated past maximum hive temperature, ensuring its natural goodness remains intact.
- Kakadu Organics – The Aboriginal-owned, female-led Kakadu Organics is on a mission to share the beauty and wisdom of native botanicals while empowering First Nations women to thrive in business. Kakadu Organics was founded by Kylie-Lee Bradford, inspired by her community and determination to create meaningful change. Kakadu Organics realises her dream of cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and sharing the beauty of native foods and wellness products with the world.
- King International Operations – King International Operations is passionate about making quality, sustainable, plant-based products for everyone, regardless of dietary requirements or lifestyle choices. Managing Director Eric Hsu is the self-appointed ‘Soy Guru’, founding King International in 1987 with his wife, Rachel. Today, King International supplies yoghurts, tofu, hummus, cheese and much more through major supermarket chains and health food stores nationally and exports to New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore.
- Kitchen Daddy – Kitchen Daddy works with clients to manage the entire food manufacturing process, from recipe creation, production, and product packaging to supply chain consultancy services. Founder and Managing Director William Liu oversees a small and talented team – including Executive Chef Ryuji Tomihara who hails from the top restaurant precincts in Tokyo’s Ginza precinct – to scale operations and explore new markets, particularly in the export space. A qualified accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland, William is a hospitality industry veteran and is also the founder and CEO of casual Japanese dining franchise, Motto Motto.
- Wholesome Blends – Wholesome Blends is Australasia’s first wholefood offering for the tube-fed community. Founded by Sarah Thomas in 2017 and inspired by her family’s story, the shelf-stable pouches are filled with all-natural, silky-smooth blends of fresh fruits, vegetables and proteins. Sarah’s extensive experience in food manufacturing, production, and menu planning has given her a deep understanding of what it takes to create high-quality, nourishing meals – expertise that proved invaluable when preparing meals for her tub-fed son.
- Saucy Wench Gourmet Foods – When Lisa Liu established Saucy Wench Gourmet Foods with products as vibrant and enticing as her brand and personality – she quickly discovered she’d made the right career choice. The condiment queen has developed a cult following for her Asian sauces, condiments and ready-to-cook dumplings, and thrilling customers with her quirky and fun personality and style, and her delicious products. From its humble beginnings at New Farm Markets, Saucy Wench Gourmet Foods products are now stocked nationally.
- Summer Land Camels – Situated in the fertile volcanic crater of the Scenic Rim, Summer Land Farm is the perfect place to nurture camels and welcome visitors. Summer Land Camels saves wild camels from being culled in the Australian outback and trains them to produce award-winning dairy and skincare goods. Under the leadership of Director Paul Martin, its product range includes Camel Milk Dairy Products, Camel Milk Skincare, Camel Milk Powder, and Camel Milk and Honey Vodka.
- Sunny Queen – Sunny Queen was founded by Australian farming families, beginning life as the Queensland Egg Board in 1930. Sunny Queen has now become one of the most well-known, and well- loved food brands in the country with a reputation for taste, quality and animal welfare. Sunny Queen farms can be found across Australia and its products are manufactured in three south-east Queensland facilities.
- The Lime Caviar Company – The Lime Caviar Company is the world’s only producer of finger lime caviar, farmed by premier growers in Queensland and northern New South Wales and processed and packaged in Coorparoo, Brisbane. Founded as a modest operation by former barrister Ian Douglas in 2007, The Lime Caviar Company has seen sustained sales growth and now exports to 23 countries. The award-winning, single-product business is steered by CEO Matthew Caines who is committed to building resilient networks to further grow the uniquely Queensland business.
- Tom’s Confectionery Warehouse – With stores in Brisbane and Melbourne, Tom’s Confectionary Warehouse has stocked an extensive range of lollies, confectionery and gifts since 1982. Brisbane businessman Adiel Ben-Karmona acquired the iconic business in 2021, investing $1.3M to refit its location and expand warehousing across Brisbane. Since then, Tom’s Confectionary Warehouse has achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest pick-and-mix, began manufacturing freeze-dried candies, launched its own brand, Tom’s Sweets, and now manufactures 600 lines.