BRISBANE STARTUP CUTS DOWN GRUNT WORK IN DUBAI

A BRISBANE-based startup has hit pay dirt in the Middle East with its reporting and data management platform.

Gruntify has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dubai Government's facilities management division, Duserve, to provide maintenance and security software solutions.

The department has recently been commissioned to help build and maintain Dubai South, a satellite city set to house one million residents as well as the world's largest airport.

Gruntify CEO Jamie Leach (pictured left) says the partnership with Duserve will unlock opportunities to expand across the Middle East and Africa.

"We have the best problem in business, we are growing too quick," Leach says.

"Scaling up quickly enough is our biggest challenge, before emergent startups develop a similar product.

"With this week's Dubai South announcement opening a pathway into the greater Middle East, increasing our revenue and global expansion are both unquestionable outcomes for the business."

She says the company has also received interest in China, Japan, Canada, South America and the UK.

Geospatial firm GIS People launched Gruntify in 2014 as part of the Pilot Open Innovation Challenge for the Department of Transport and Main Roads to solve civic issues around its facilities.

The platform allows government, utility and environment officers and auditors to take a photo in the field and submit with their location and other details using an app.

The company has grown from a team of four to 24 in the last 12 months to support an existing alliance with Microsoft in Australia.

Gruntify will release a more streamlined version of the app using Microsoft's offering to reach markets beyond business.

The MOU with Duserve follows a signed trade agreement earlier this month between Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South executive chairman Khalifa Al Zaffin.