Western Australian Startup Co Connect Joins Google AI Accelerator for Australia and New Zealand

Perth-based Co Connect, a software developer for frontline and remote workers, has been selected for the 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator: AI cohort for Australia and New Zealand, highlighting innovation in the region's tech ecosystem. The company, founded by Erin Bell, focuses on critical communication and safety solutions for high-risk industries like mining, utilizing AI for responsible workforce and operational information management.

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Co Connect, a software company based in Perth, Australia, has secured a coveted spot in the 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator: AI cohort for Australia and New Zealand. As one of 15 startups chosen across both countries, Co Connect stands out as the sole Western Australian participant and the only one specifically building solutions for the resources sector. This program offers intensive support, providing participants with access to Google's engineers, AI specialists, and mentors over ten weeks, as confirmed by Google's official announcement from August 2026.

The company's core offering is an app designed for frontline and remote workers in challenging environments such as mine sites, where mobile coverage is often unreliable. This innovative application functions offline, providing essential tools for communication, journey management, GIS wayfinding, and a unique patent-pending personal duress feature with location tracking. Founder and Managing Director Erin Bell, whose extensive background in human resources, health, safety, and emergency response on remote mining operations shaped the company's vision, emphasized that the system is currently utilized by more than 20,000 individuals.

A key focus for Co Connect during the accelerator program will be exploring how to responsibly integrate artificial intelligence into workforce and operational information, especially considering the immediate safety implications and connectivity challenges in remote settings. This work will directly contribute to Co Connect People, the company's forthcoming product aimed at rostering and facilities management. The initiative underscores the growing need for digital tools tailored to the unique demands of dispersed workforces in high-risk industries.

Co Connect's selection by Google comes amid increasing industry recognition, including being named a national finalist in the Australian Technologies Competition in the disaster, emergency, and risk management category. The company has also garnered several awards in recent years, such as Emergency Preparedness & Response at the WHS Awards and Emerging Innovation of the Year at the PropTech Awards, highlighting its impact beyond just the mining sector.

Filipino tech professionals and founders in Australia and New Zealand may find inspiration in Co Connect's journey, particularly given the growing demand for innovative AI solutions across various sectors and the emphasis on responsible technology deployment. Such programs can serve as a benchmark for startups aiming to scale their operations and contribute to regional technological advancements.