VAILO CEO Aaron Hickmann moving his family to Queensland

The founder and chief executive of VAILO – which sponsors Adelaide 500 – is moving his family interstate. The former SA Young Entrepreneur of the Year tells The Advertiser why.

Vailo Founder Aaron Hickmann outside of his Wayville business location. Picture: Ben Clark

VAILO founder and chief executive Aaron Hickmann is moving to Queensland, pursuing lucrative opportunities in the Sunshine State.

In a major blow to South Australia’s credentials as an investment drawcard, Mr Hickmann told The Advertiser he is chasing substantial business opportunities.

The VAILO business will stay at his new headquarters now being finished at Wayville and the three-year sponsorship of the VAILO Adelaide 500 which has one year to run will not be affected.

Mr Hickmann, 34, a former South Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year, is relocating his family from their Unley Park home to take advantage of the huge opportunities available as Queensland prepares to host the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

It is understood the Queensland government has been actively courting successful entrepreneurs like Mr Hickmann as part of their drive to cash in on the Olympics.

The loss of Mr Hickmann follows the exodus of other entrepreneurs to the Sunshine State such as property developer Con Makris who shifted his company headquarters to Queensland in 2017 citing Adelaide’s “small-town” mentality.

Vailo founder Aaron Hickmann inside his new Wayville business. Picture: Ben Clark

Mr Hickmann said the decision to move his family to Queensland was designed to accelerate the growth of VAILO into strong markets in north eastern Australia and internationally.

With the Olympics being held in Brisbane in 2032, Mr Hickmann said there were significant opportunities for advanced stadium lighting projects and screens at sporting and other entertainment events in Queensland over the coming years.

Mr Hickmann said he has held positive discussions with Queensland’s state and regional governments about future opportunities and has begun working with the Committee for Brisbane.

“We are being welcomed in Queensland and we’re holding discussions with the business community,” he said.

“Taking this step will help us increase our footprint in other states while supporting ongoing research and development in South Australia.”

VAILO has multiple sports sponsorships as well as supporting the VAILO Adelaide 500.

Among Mr Hickmann’ successes have been setbacks including a frightening raid by three masked intruders to his $5.6m mansion in the early hours of a day in May last year.

The bandits in balaclavas entered the yard but fled before trying to enter the house as the family slept.

Mr Hickmann, a father of two, subsequently stationed security guards outside his home.

He was also embroiled in a failed medicinal cannabis venture.

A company statement says VAILO is committed to Australian manufacturing and will retain all staff in South Australia and focus on research and development at Kent Town, until its Wayville headquarters are completed later this year.

VAILO’s website describes Mr Hickmann as a “serial entrepreneur.”

“Aaron started his first business as a 15-year-old while still at high school,” it states.

“He has since established, sold and grown ventures within the technology sector. Passionate about collaboration, innovation and returning manufacturing to Australia, he is demonstrating that it can be achieved through the adoption of advanced technology to achieve cost comparative products while exceeding quality standards.

“With over 10 years of experience in the lighting industry, Aaron has forged relationships with ‘best of breed’ entrepreneurs and innovators across the globe, from Silicon Valley to Germany and Japan. His renewed focus is working on R & D projects which reimagine lighting technology of the future.”

Mr Hickmann won the SA Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2021.

VAILO is an advanced technology company specialising in manufacturing ultra-high-performance LED sports lighting and LED digital displays tailored to sporting venues and major outdoor events.