How Dragonfly Thinking won Australia's AI Sprint
When we talk about innovation in AI, it’s easy to get swept up in the sheer scale of possibilities: automation, decision-making, social good.
But real breakthroughs are rare, and innovation is about more than just clever algorithms. It’s about solving real-world problems in meaningful ways, and that’s exactly what Dragonfly Thinking did to win Australia's inaugural AI Sprint.
What is the AI Sprint
The AI Sprint is a crucible for innovation.
Organised by the National AI Centre (coordinated by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO), Stone & Chalk, and Google Cloud, the goal was simple but ambitious: to find AI solutions that could benefit Australia economically and socially.
Over 250 companies entered, but only one would walk away as the overall winner, with $300,000 in R&D funding and a stack of other prizes.
The AI Sprint challenged participants to think deeply about the impact their solutions could have on Australia’s future. How could AI be applied not only to drive economic value but also to address pressing social issues? This focus on dual-purpose innovation is one of the reasons why the competition was so fierce.
Dragonfly Thinking had a clear vision, backed by years of expertise, to build decision-support tools that could enhance how organisations make critical decisions. That clarity of purpose paid off.
A new era for AI in Australia
AI has always been a field of rapid evolution, and there's much ahead on the road for Australia.
That’s why initiatives like the AI Sprint matter—they create a platform for smaller players to rise to the occasion. Companies that might otherwise have flown under the radar are given the tools and exposure they need to innovate at scale.
Dragonfly Thinking was the standout, not just because of their technical prowess, but because their solution was so well aligned with Australia’s current needs.
As governments and businesses wrestle with more complex decisions—climate change, social equity, economic recovery post-pandemic—decision-support tools like those from Dragonfly Thinking become invaluable. These tools help make better decisions, faster, without getting bogged down by data overload or emotional bias.
But this success wasn’t just a solo effort. Like many great innovations, Dragonfly Thinking’s rise was bolstered by the ecosystem around it.
The AI Sprint connected them to Australia’s top minds in AI, from CSIRO to industry leaders like Google Cloud. And along with our support at Stone & Chalk, the collaboration built relationships, opening doors to partnerships and opportunities that will likely drive the next stages of their development.
The road to victory
The AI Sprint was a test of resilience, creativity, and business acumen.
Starting with over 250 companies, the competition winnowed down to just 10 finalists. These companies weren’t just throwing around ideas—they were developing actionable, high-impact AI solutions.
The final sprint came down to three core aspects: innovation, impact, and scalability. Dragonfly Thinking excelled in all three.
In second place was Kindship, a company dedicated to using AI to build better NDIS support networks for families. Third place went to Empathetic AI, who developed Australia's first AI tax co-pilot. Each of these companies brought something unique to the table, and it’s no surprise they made it to the top.
InsightWise.ai, a crowd favourite, won the People’s Choice award for its intuitive AI-powered engine for consultants and strategy teams, which turns qualitative data into action in minutes.
These finalists were all were trailblazers in their own right, each with a vision for how AI could reshape their industries. It’s a real showcase of the strength of the Australian innovation community that so many strong ideas could come from such a diverse pool of companies.
What’s next for Dragonfly Thinking?
Winning the AI Sprint is a major milestone, but for Dragonfly Thinking, it’s just the beginning.
The $300,000 in R&D funding couldn’t have come at a better time. As they gear up for pilot projects with federal and state governments, the funding will allow them to double down on product and tech development, accelerating their timeline for getting their tools into the hands of those who need them most.
For Dragonfly Thinking, the next steps are clear: they’re going to leverage this win to grow. Now it’s all about execution—taking the promise of their decision-support tools and turning it into real-world impact.
The broader impact of the AI Sprint
This competition was to find a winner. But it also set out to build a community of AI innovators who are committed to making a difference.
In shining a spotlight on companies like Dragonfly Thinking, Kindship, and Empathetic AI, the AI Sprint has shown the world that Australia can be a leader in AI innovation.
More importantly, it has created a pathway for future innovators to follow. The next wave of AI startups will look at Dragonfly Thinking and the other finalists as role models, proof that great ideas can come from anywhere—and that with the right support, they can change the world.
As Australia continues to build its AI ecosystem, we can expect more breakthrough innovations, more collaborations, and more opportunities for companies like Dragonfly Thinking to thrive. The future of AI in Australia is bright, and it’s companies like these that are leading the way.
Stone & Chalk are supporting the next generation of change-makers. Find out how you can join us and get involved.