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The Gold Coast's largest

COMMUNITY OF STARTUPS & BUSINESS FOUNDERS

Become a Member

we're the gc hub

We're here to help you to grow your business.

We’re a not for profit organisation supporting local businesses. Whether you’re an already established business looking to grow to the next level, or a new start-up looking for guidance to expand in the early stage, we’ve got the people and resources to help you fast track your journey to success.

Run by founders for founders, GC Hub is a community of experts who truly understand the entrepreneurial journey – because we’ve been there ourselves. By sharing experience and knowledge, we foster a collaborative, dynamic, and innovative community that encourages openness, synergy, ideas, experimentation, creativity, celebration, diversity, change, and opportunity.

Find out more.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

Join our Gold Coast Innovation Hub community and access the resources, connections, and support you need to grow and scale a start-up or digital business.

Become a Member

Grow your business with the GC Hub.

Join our community of entrepreneurs and innovators with a GC hub networking membership.

We also have a variety of programs available to help you grow and scale your business.

Become a Member

Meet our Community

Become a Mentor

Share your knowledge with the GC Hub.

Inspire and educate our community of founders and entrepreneurs as a GC Hub mentor.

Share your knowledge and experience and build your professional network.

Become a Mentor

Meet our Mentors

Become a Partner

Support the GC Hub community.

Join our growing network of partners and sponsors.

Get involved with our events, programs, and activities to grow your brand and product awareness among Startups and SMEs in Australia.

BECOME A PARTNER
Meet our Partners

OUR Events

We've been told we run the best startup events in Queensland!
There are three or more amazing events every month which are free for Networking Members.

COMING UP

Gold Coast Open Data Challenge (2-day hackathon)
20260718

Build the Future of the Gold Coast

What could you create if the Gold Coast became your sandbox?

The Gold Coast Open Data Challenge is a two-day innovation sprint bringing together students, developers, AI builders, designers, entrepreneurs, and community changemakers to create bold ideas that improve life on the Gold Coast.

Hosted at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus on 18-19 July 2026, the weekend combines open data, rapid prototyping, practical workshops, mentorship, and live pitching into one high-energy experience.

You do not need to be a developer to participate.

Whether you’re a coder, creative thinker, strategist, communicator, designer, founder, researcher, or simply someone passionate about the future of the city – there’s a place for you here.

Participants will work individually or in teams to develop apps, AI tools, digital concepts, campaigns, startup ideas, or policy proposals that respond to real community challenges.

Challenge Areas

  1. Transportation & Mobility
  2. Environmental Conservation
  3. Disaster Resilience
  4. Tourism & Visitor Experience
  5. Youth & Student Life
  6. Neighbourhood Services
  7. Planning & Liveability
  8. Wildcard Civic Innovation

You can tackle one of the official challenge tracks or pitch your own idea.

Throughout the weekend, participants will gain access to expert mentors, practical workshops, networking opportunities, and collaborative build sessions designed to help teams move from concept to prototype fast.

While the agenda may change in the lead-up to the event, to give you an idea of how the weekend will run, please find a draft agenda following:

 

Event Structure (subject to change)

Day 1 — Saturday 18 July

8:00–9:00am Registration, open networking and snack station in the outdoor marquee.

9:00–9:30am Opening address in Building C lecture theatre: welcome from GC Hub (Josh Smith), SCU (Dr John Haw), City representative (Tim Harding)

9:30–10:00am Challenge and prize reveal. Invitation into GC Hub Slack platform to aid communication through event.

10:00–10:30am Workshop 1 (Tim Harding, City of Gold Coast): Navigating City of Gold Coast open data and picking a problem

10:30–11:00am Team formation / challenge selection. Team members introduce themselves to one another to highlight individual strengths and interests.

11:00-12:00pm Brainstorming and ideation. Decide on what tools to utilise.

12:00–1:00pm Lunch + open networking and more brainstorming

1:00–2:00pm Workshop 2 (Libin Joseph, AlphaTales): Rapid app prototyping with a vibe-coding / cloud stack

2:00–3:00pm Build sprint 1

2:30–3:00pm Mentor checkpoint 1 (every team must be ready to articulate user, problem, data source, and prototype plan)

3:00–5:00pm Build sprint 2 + roaming mentors

5:00–5:15pm Daily wrap, community shout-outs, guide to using Slack for optional evening hacking

Day 2 — Sunday 19 July

8:30–9:00am Restart in the Marquee, including quick check-in, Q&A, and morning snacks.

9:00-12:00pm Build sprint 3 + roaming mentors to review progress

12:00–1:00pm Lunch + open networking

1:00–1:45pm Workshop 3 (Antonio Moreira, Brand Gold Coast): Using a storytelling structure to pitch a civic solution in 3 minutes

1:45–2:30pm Mentor checkpoint 2 (every team must reveal their MVP and draft presentation slides to mentor for last-minute feedback and positioning suggestions)

2:30–3:00pm Submission deadline prep, demo recording, slide lock

3:00pm Slides provided to Event Manager

3:00-3:30pm: Teams refine their MVPs and practice their presentations.

3:45–5:00pm Pitch event and judging.

5:00–5:30pm Closing ceremony, award presentation, next-step invitations, social media photos.

 

Inclusions

Your $20 registration includes:

  • Lunch, drinks and snacks across both days
  • All workshops and mentoring sessions
  • Free parking at the venue
  • The opportunity to win prizes provided by challenge sponsors.

Event Details

📍 Southern Cross University – Gold Coast Campus, Bilinga
📅 Saturday 18 July – Sunday 19 July 2026
🎟️ $20 Registration (free for current GC Hub Networking Members)

Don’t miss this chance to meet ambitious people, experiment with emerging technology, build portfolio-worthy projects, and contribute ideas that could genuinely shape the future of the Gold Coast.

Come for the weekend.
Leave with something real.

Learn More
Pitch and Pizza - July 2026
20260730

Where ideas get tested, connections get made, and the Gold Coast startup community shows up

Pitch & Pizza is the Gold Coast Innovation Hub’s monthly pitch night, in support of local startup founders. 📣🍕

Held in the comfy GC Hub space at Southern Cross University, this is a relaxed, high-value evening for founders, final-year students, investors and ecosystem supporters who want to hear fresh ideas, give real feedback, and be part of what’s next on the Gold Coast.

No pressure. Just great ideas, honest conversations, plenty of pizza and soft drinks, plus a room full of people who care about building things that matter.

Whether you’re:

  • a founder or researcher refining your pitch before meeting with investors
  • a student testing a startup idea for the first time
  • an investor or mentor looking for early signals
  • or a supporter who loves being close to emerging talent

this evening event is for you.

 

What to expect:

🌟 The Main Slice
Each month, up to three startup founders or researchers will deliver a short pitch (max 5 minutes) and receive constructive feedback from the room. This is a safe, supportive environment to sharpen your story and stress-test your idea. Pitch spots are limited and must be applied for ahead of time. CLICK HERE TO APPLY

🔥 Lightning Bites
Got 45 seconds? Step up, grab the mic, and pitch your idea, problem, or ask. Whether you’re looking for feedback, collaborators, customers or confidence, this is your moment.

🤝 Pizza and Possibilities
No forced networking. Just genuine conversations with founders, students, investors, mentors and ecosystem builders over pizza and soft drinks.

 

Agenda

5:30pm – Doors open, pizza served, informal networking
6:00pm – The Main Slice (3 startups x 5 minutes plus feedback)
7:00pm – Lightning Bites open mic (45-second elevator spiels)
7:15pm – Networking, conversations and connections

 

Tickets

  • Free for current GC Hub members and SCU students
  • $25 for non-members (or be one of the first 10 to secure an $18 early bird rate)

 

If you’re curious, building, investing, learning, or simply want to stay connected to the Gold Coast startup scene, Pitch & Pizza is your monthly touchpoint.

Come to pitch.
Come to listen.
Come to connect.
Stay for the pizza. 🍕

Learn More
View Our Events

OUR PROGRAMS

The GC Hub has developed a range of programs to support you at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey.

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Gold Coast Open Data Challenge
20260718
$20 + Humanitix booking fee

Build the Future of the Gold Coast

What could you create if the Gold Coast became your sandbox?

The Gold Coast Open Data Challenge is a two-day innovation sprint bringing together students, developers, AI builders, designers, entrepreneurs, and community changemakers to create bold ideas that improve life on the Gold Coast.

Hosted at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus on 18-19 July 2026, the weekend combines open data, rapid prototyping, practical workshops, mentorship, and live pitching into one high-energy experience.

You do not need to be a developer to participate.

Whether you’re a coder, creative thinker, strategist, communicator, designer, founder, researcher, or simply someone passionate about the future of the city – there’s a place for you here.

Participants will work individually or in teams to develop apps, AI tools, digital concepts, campaigns, startup ideas, or policy proposals that respond to real community challenges.

Challenge Areas

  1. Transportation & Mobility
  2. Environmental Conservation
  3. Disaster Resilience
  4. Tourism & Visitor Experience
  5. Youth & Student Life
  6. Neighbourhood Services
  7. Planning & Liveability
  8. Wildcard Civic Innovation

You can tackle one of the official challenge tracks or pitch your own idea.

Throughout the weekend, participants will gain access to expert mentors, practical workshops, networking opportunities, and collaborative build sessions designed to help teams move from concept to prototype fast.

While the agenda may change in the lead-up to the event, to give you an idea of how the weekend will run, please find a draft agenda following:

 

Event Structure (subject to change)

Day 1 — Saturday 18 July

8:00–9:00am Registration, open networking and snack station in the outdoor marquee.

9:00–9:30am Opening address in Building C lecture theatre: welcome from GC Hub (Josh Smith), SCU (Dr John Haw), City representative (Tim Harding)

9:30–10:00am Challenge and prize reveal. Invitation into GC Hub Slack platform to aid communication through event.

10:00–10:30am Workshop 1 (Tim Harding, City of Gold Coast): Navigating City of Gold Coast open data and picking a problem

10:30–11:00am Team formation / challenge selection. Team members introduce themselves to one another to highlight individual strengths and interests.

11:00-12:00pm Brainstorming and ideation. Decide on what tools to utilise.

12:00–1:00pm Lunch + open networking and more brainstorming

1:00–2:00pm Workshop 2 (Libin Joseph, AlphaTales): Rapid app prototyping with a vibe-coding / cloud stack

2:00–3:00pm Build sprint 1

2:30–3:00pm Mentor checkpoint 1 (every team must be ready to articulate user, problem, data source, and prototype plan)

3:00–5:00pm Build sprint 2 + roaming mentors

5:00–5:15pm Daily wrap, community shout-outs, guide to using Slack for optional evening hacking

Day 2 — Sunday 19 July

8:30–9:00am Restart in the Marquee, including quick check-in, Q&A, and morning snacks.

9:00-12:00pm Build sprint 3 + roaming mentors to review progress

12:00–1:00pm Lunch + open networking

1:00–1:45pm Workshop 3 (Antonio Moreira, Brand Gold Coast): Using a storytelling structure to pitch a civic solution in 3 minutes

1:45–2:30pm Mentor checkpoint 2 (every team must reveal their MVP and draft presentation slides to mentor for last-minute feedback and positioning suggestions)

2:30–3:00pm Submission deadline prep, demo recording, slide lock

3:00pm Slides provided to Event Manager

3:00-3:30pm: Teams refine their MVPs and practice their presentations.

3:45–5:00pm Pitch event and judging.

5:00–5:30pm Closing ceremony, award presentation, next-step invitations, social media photos.

 

Inclusions

Your $20 registration includes:

  • Lunch, drinks and snacks across both days
  • All workshops and mentoring sessions
  • Free parking at the venue
  • The opportunity to win prizes provided by challenge sponsors.

Event Details

📍 Southern Cross University – Gold Coast Campus, Bilinga
📅 Saturday 18 July – Sunday 19 July 2026
🎟️ $20 Registration (free for current GC Hub Networking Members)

Don’t miss this chance to meet ambitious people, experiment with emerging technology, build portfolio-worthy projects, and contribute ideas that could genuinely shape the future of the Gold Coast.

Come for the weekend.
Leave with something real.

Learn More
KOKO Matrix 10-Week Leadership Program - July 2026 Cohort
20260716
$1997 inc GST

COMMENCING 16 JULY 2026

IN-PERSON TRAINING THURSDAY MORNINGS @ THE HUB

Join instructor Kate Osborne and an enthusiastic cohort of fellow business owners, on this transformative, 10-week business and leadership mastery course. Learn AND implement the 8 Core Principles to collaborative leadership which to take your organisation to the next level of success, with less conflict and more collaboration!

 

 

 

Video Overview

View an outline of the program and its benefits through this brief introductory video.

Ten Weekly Focus Areas

Each Thursday morning, you will meet with Kate and other business owners for a 90 minute session, to make progress through the following ten areas of your business:

  1. Administration
  2. Product
  3. Finance
  4. Culture
  5. Marketing
  6. Sales
  7. Production
  8. Distribution
  9. Strategic Plan Completion
  10. Presentation of Your Plan

 

What You Will Receive

KOKO Matrix Roadmaps

Discover your strengths, areas for attention, and direct focus towards your passions. Work with tick sheets for the 8 operational sectors of a business – administration, finance, culture, marketing, sales, production, distribution and product coaching.

The roadmaps cover a thorough list of processes, agreements, contracts, insurances, analysis, policies, KPIs, audits, statements, guides and strategies you need for your business to be functioning at optimal capacity.

 

Soft Skill (Power Skill) Development

You will receive 10 soft skill workbooks throughout the course, which will teach you how to enhance your leadership, eliminate tension in your team, build culture, create alignment, enhance your effectiveness and unlock potential as a compassionate leader.

It has long been known that people don’t remember what you say, they remember how you made them feel. Each hand chosen soft skills workshop is designed to tap into the connection required to allow people to flourish under your unique leadership style.

 

Your Strategic Plan

The elements above culminate in the creation of an overarching strategic vision to provide clarity in forward thinking as a business operator. Each week, Kate will unpack with you all you need to prepare a Strategic Plan that you will present at the end of the course. The Strategic Plan covers aspects such as mission statement, SWOT analysis, goals, strategies, actions and revenue projections.

The Strategic Plan helps you get clear on your business next steps and is a solid document to share with your team, investors and use as a resource to track your growth.

PITCH YOUR PLAN! The final morning session will provide you with the opportunity to present your Strategic Plan to the cohort, and to a panel of judges, to further transform your strategy from the page, into an actionable plan for growth and development.

 

Secure Your Place Today

Jump on-board this 10 week program and see your business – and your personal wellbeing – transformed. Enjoy the benefits of enhanced clarity around your own areas of focus, and what you should delegate or outsource to remove roadblocks on your path to growth.

The program includes 10 x 90 minute, in-person training sessions, as well as all of the benefits noted above. It’s available for a one-time payment of $1997 (inc GST), or via three monthly instalments ($800, $700, $700, inc GST).

We look forward to guiding you towards your next phase of growth.

Learn More
View Our Programs

OUR PARTNERS

We have a wide range of local, national, and global partners that support our community.
Not only do our partners support us, they also provide amazing benefits to help GC Hub members grow their businesses.
VIEW ALL PARTNERS