Canberra AI startup launches sovereign platform to win over wary government
Trellis Data created a new platform called Agentaus. It keeps all data encrypted and Australian-controlled. It offers a trusted choice instead of US AI tools for government.
Michael Gately worked inside a federal agency. A promising algorithm to save taxpayers money went nowhere.
Officials saw it as too risky. Years later, he co-founded Trellis Data in Canberra with his wife.
He believed private companies could build working AI systems. They could hand them to government proven, not theoretical.
The company launched Agentaus in May. It's a ChatGPT-style interface.
User data is never sold. It's never used for training.
Trellis staff cannot see it. Several state and federal agencies now use it.
None have signed enterprise deals yet. Gately says government buying is expensive and slow for small Australian firms.
Startups face barriers. There's a $20 million liability requirement.
Companies need security clearances or specific industry accreditation. Career risk holds bureaucrats back.
If the tech fails, the senior public servant pays the price.
- Trellis Data in 2016
- Company founded
- Michael and Rachel Gately
- Founders
- Agentaus in May
- Platform launched
- 20 million dollars
- Liability requirement
Why it mattersAustralian government agencies need tools they can trust completely. AI that Australia builds and controls here avoids depending on US companies. It also avoids foreign companies handling data.
AustraliaTrellis Data is working with Australian agencies to prove homegrown AI can compete with US platforms. Success could open procurement doors for other Australian tech startups.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
