The Allan Labor Government today announced a $37 million investment in World View and its groundbreaking technology aimed at revolutionising stratospheric balloon remote sensing services.

A strategic investment made through Breakthrough Victoria, this will enable World View to establish an Indo-Pacific headquarters in Melbourne, including an advanced manufacturing facility, creating up to 200 jobs in engineering, data science and material science.

World View is at the forefront of manufacturing, launching and controlling stratospheric balloons that provide on-demand, high-resolution sensing, weather monitoring and communication services.

Future plans for World View include expanding into space tourism via the stratosphere, building and operating launch locations across the globe, including Spaceport Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.

With World View’s patented dual-balloon system, the company offers unparalleled capabilities, boasting a market leading size and weight, augmenting existing alternatives such as satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles.

World View’s expansion will establish Victoria as a hub for stratospheric remote sensing research, with investments in research and development across Australian universities and research centres.

The establishment of their head office at Melbourne Connect in Parkville places World View at one of the epicentres of research in Victoria and will foster collaboration and innovation, positioning Victoria as a leader in aerospace technology.

Quote attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas

“World View’s cutting-edge technology and future jobs, especially in highly skilled areas of engineering, data science and material science, will create fantastic opportunities for Victoria and Australia.”

Quotes attributable to Breakthrough Victoria CEO, Grant Dooley

“We are thrilled to partner with World View in their mission to transform the way we approach stratospheric balloon technology. World View’s innovative solutions have the potential to revolutionise various industries, from remote sensing to communications.”

Quotes attributable to World View CEO, Ryan M. Hartman

“Australia, especially Victoria, offers unprecedented access to incredibly skilled global talent, cutting-edge technology, promising partnerships, smart capital, and significant geographic leverage to support our Indo-Pacific remote sensing and future space tourism operations. We are eager to get to work in Victoria.”