Media Release: 1.8 Million Boost For The Gold Coast Hub

GOLD COAST HUB CONFIRMED AS THE REGIONAL INNOVATION LEADER WITH $1.8 MILLION BOOST COURTESY OF QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT

GOLD COAST, QLD– 31st July 2017 – Local entrepreneurs will have better access to education, mentoring, investment and overseas markets after the Queensland Government announced $1.8 million in funding for the Gold Coast Hub under the Advance Queensland Advancing Regional Innovation Program.

Sharon Hunneybell, CEO of the Gold Coast Hub said that the funding will have a huge impact, providing programs and resources that will unite the innovation community, encourage the creation of new enterprises and drive commercial outcomes for the region.

“We are thrilled with the level of support that we have received from investors, corporate partners and the local community since announcing our plans for the Gold Coast Hub in April and are excited to have government buy in to our vision for a more diverse economy and greater opportunities for job creation and commercial success on the Gold Coast.” said Ms. Hunneybell.

The Gold Coast Hub was founded earlier this year by the leadership team behind Gold Coast based software company Opmantek, leveraging relationships with several investment funds totalling more than $60Million of potential investment for Gold Coast companies after a 6 year mission to build a repeatable model for international business creation on the Gold Coast.

Opmantek Chairman, Danny Maher said that the key to creating momentum in the Innovation sector was the sharing of knowledge, linkages and resources.  “It is the sharing of knowledge that makes knowledge greater” said Maher.  “Innovators are modern day explorers and it is the knowledge, linkages and resources gathered by one innovator that if shared provide for the success of the next” he said. “Opmantek’s community programs have always been philanthropic and aimed at giving to the innovation community. We are thrilled to be behind the Gold Coast hub and consolidate our efforts with those of others to create a new future for innovation and commercialisation at the Gold Coast.”

Ms. Hunneybell believes there is an opportunity for this region to lead Australia in the innovation sector, with an ideal combination of optimal climate, low cost of living, low cost accommodation, proximity to Asia, access to two international airports with low cost flights, a proactive local Council and the presence of multiple Universities.  To unlock the full potential of the region, she says, we need to create density by bringing people together to collaborate, leverage and learn.

“There are pockets of entrepreneurial activity all over the Gold Coast, but up until now, innovative organisations, educators, investors and support services have worked independently of one another – the Gold Coast Hub serves as a connector and a driver of commercialisation activity for the region via a new central innovation hub and outreach locations in the north, south and hinterland areas.”

To deliver on their vision, the Gold Coast hub has formed key partnerships that bring defined capabilities in the form of services, knowledge, connections, skills and/or funds.  The first milestone activity – the establishment of the central innovation hub slated for Surfers Paradise which includes co-working, business incubation and event spaces – will be delivered in November and the hub is taking applications from innovative companies at all stages of their development to locate in the space.

The group continues to support events and programs and initiate activities in line with community demand prior to official launch in November.  Interested Gold Coasters are invited to join the hub community by registering at www.gchub.com.au/register


Media Enquiries:

Contact:  Sharon Hunneybell
Email:      sharon@gchub.com.au
Phone:    +61731023042

Download a PDF of the full media release here: Innovation Hub gets 1.8 Million Boost

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