Gold Coast City’s central innovation hub
The city’s first dedicated co-working incubator precinct, Gold Coast Hub, has officially opened its doors, strengthening CBDRobina’s position as a nucleus for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The public launch party being held tonight (see details below) will be a celebration of the hard work of all involved in this project which is predicted to provide an estimated $3 billion boost to the local economy.
Centrally located at Robina Group-owned ‘The PC’ building at 36 Laver Drive, Robina, GC Hub is a bespoke three-storey co-working, incubation and event space purpose-built for the local innovation community.
It provides entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovative start-ups and scale-ups a central location to connect, collaborate, grow, raise investment and expand into global markets.
The Hub already has 30 start-ups signed up to operate from the building, with the ultimate aim to foster the diverse and talented innovation community from across the Gold Coast region, in addition to hosting international visitors.
Gold Coast Hub CEO Sharon Hunneybell said the organisation would bring positive economic benefits by allowing local innovators to flourish while attracting new innovators to Gold Coast City.
She said the Hub was an initiative supported by the Queensland Government, City of Gold Coast and over 20 corporate partners in a cognizant team effort committed to driving a new digital economy on the Gold Coast.
Many of those supporters, corporate partners and members of the local business community attended the Hub’s recent official launch celebrations at the Robina headquarters.
“The Gold Coast Hub will become a manufacturer of innovative companies – increasing well-paid, knowledge-based jobs and providing products and services that address a global market,” said Ms Hunneybell.
“With a $2.5 million investment from the State Government as part of its Queensland’s Advancing Regional Innovation Program, we project the Gold Coast Hub will generate $3 billion over the next five years for the Queensland economy.”
Gold Coast Hub Chair and Chair of founding partner, Opmantek, Danny Maher, said the Hub provided a rapid growth platform for innovative local companies.
“The Gold Coast Hub is one of the largest in Australia, and one of the best in terms of its commercial backing,” he said.
“It provides a place for corporates to get involved, for government to collaborate, for investors to find opportunities and for innovative businesses to flourish.”
Queensland Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones, who presided over the official opening ceremony in October, said the Hub would bring together like-minded innovators.
“The Hub will serve as an incubator for amazing talent – with a large network of support every step of the way for our future business leaders,” she said.
“People on the Gold Coast are extremely passionate about their ideas and the Hub will be the beginning of new global business – seeing new jobs created here in industries we haven’t even thought of yet.”
Recently appointed Federal MP for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said Gold Coast Hub would bring the city into the 21st century and beyond.
“We have upwards of 60,000 small businesses on the Gold Coast, and in my mind they are big businesses waiting to happen – the Hub will serve as the platform for them to grow and flourish in our dynamic business sector,” she said.
“The Hub will be a hotspot for innovation and will serve as the place where great minds come together and give small businesses the opportunity and support to grow their product – now and into the future.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the Hub was another example of the city being at the centre of innovation.
“We live and breathe innovation and our start-up community is thriving in areas such as IT, health and knowledge, sports science, fashion design and architecture,” he said.
“Having the State Government’s commitment sends a powerful signal to all entrepreneurs – set your sights on the Gold Coast.’’
Attend the Public Launch Event (8 November)
The public launch party for this fantastic new innovation space is on Thursday 8 November at 5.00pm.
Tickets are free, but you need to register. Secure your ticket and find out more here.
Find Out More – Join the GC Hub
Experienced operators and GC Hub onsite managers Little Tokyo Two conduct regular tours of the Gold Coast Innovation Hub – Find out more or follow LT2 on Facebook to book tour.
For more information on Gold Coast Hub or to register interest in your business joining the Hub, visit www.gchub.com.au.
