DEAL STITCHED UP TO CREATE GOLD COAST TECH HUB
BOARDSHORTS and tee-shirts made at international surf wear company Billabong’s West Burleigh factory are likely to soon reappear at the distinctive wave-shaped building – this time being worn by budding tech entrepreneurs.
The building is being changed into a technology hub that already has $60 million in investment funds up its sleeve.
The irony of stitching deals in a building that once sewed clothes is not lost on those behind The Gold Coast Hub project.
CEO Sharon Hunneybell said the Kortum Drive site would be a place for the city’s innovators to meet to discuss and develop projects.
“This site is quite literally transforming from a place that manufactured board shorts and bikinis to a place that manufactures innovative companies, and acts as the catalyst for the Gold Coast innovation community,” she said.
“Our aim is to see it become the key economic diversification driver for the Gold Coast following the 2018 Commonwealth Games.”
The Gold Coast Hub is the result of a deal buttoned up between software company Opmantek, the City of Gold Coast, the Queensland Government through its Advancing Regional Innovation Program component of Advancing Queensland, and the corporate sector.
It will officially launch in January.
The state will pour in $500,000 over three years while corporate advisory firm New Wave Capital and trade exchange business BPS Technology have promised $600,000 in cash and in-kind donations worth $700,000.
Investment funds, through the Hub, have pledged $60 million for Gold Coast businesses.
Ms Hunneybell said the Hub culminated a six-year quest to develop a model for international business creation on the Gold Coast, centred around leveraging funding, expertise and relationships.
“The Gold Coast Hub is not-for-profit but is designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, withthe purpose of producing commercial business outcomes,” she said.
“The Gold Coast Hub is community focused with commercialisation at the core and is a home for businesses, start-ups, incubators, accelerators, government, students, hackers, investors – everyone.”
The 2000sqm buildingwhich will be operated by one of Australia’s leading innovationspace managers, Little Tokyo Two.
Little Tokyo two has four sites across south-east Queensland under its management with theGold Coast Hub to feed into this innovation network.
Little Tokyo Two founder Jock Fairweather said his team would work to see the Gold Coast globally recognised as an entrepreneurial hotspot.
“Little Tokyo Two made the decision to partner with the Gold Coast Hub team based off their experience, credibility, vision and just as importantly passion - for supporting local businesses and the city as a whole,” he said.
“We cannot wait to aid them in bringing this vision to life and invite the city’s emerging and established businesses to make the Gold Coast Hub and wider precinct their new home.”
Organisations wishing to locate inside the hub or become hub members can register at www.gchub.com.au.
For more information contact Gold Coast Media Centre: