A tale of two start-up cities

Two Queensland councils are working to accelerate start-up organisations and help them achieve their goals.

Ipswich City Council’s Smart City Program start-up success stories will be featured at Myriad Live 2018, where start-ups have the opportunity to network with investors.

This includes Tim and Jeremy Butler of Naeus and Kate Perry of Wiserr. Naeus was formed as the result of collaboration between brothers Tim and Jeremy, council and Fire Station 101. Their application is powered by community knowledge from local experts and explorers to allow a more interactive experience on walking trails. Meanwhile, Kate Perry’s Wiserr is a website connecting people with knowledge, skills and experience for those seeking it. Fire Station 101 also greatly assisted Perry through mentorships, events and programs.

“Myriad will be attended by more than 3000 people with hundreds of businesses, investors, developers and entrepreneurs actively engaging with each other to progress ideas,” said Economic Development and Digital City Committee Chairman Cr Paul Tully.

Meanwhile, since Rockhampton Regional Council launched its Smart Hub in 2016, membership has increased 1000%. It has gone from just three start-ups operating in a temporary location to now having 30 in a state-of-the-art, purpose-designed, co-working space at Rockhampton’s iconic Customs House. More than 40 jobs have been created since the launch of the Smart Hub, and the membership base continues to grow as council ramps up its plans to further grow the start-up culture through a two-year operational plan.

Smart Hub Business Manager Elize Hattin said the plan sets out the next steps for the Hub to become a world-class destination where young start-ups and entrepreneurs thrive.

“In the first 24 months of opening the Smart Hub we have delivered a number of extremely successful programs, hosted a long list of influential speakers including Steve Baxter and Mark Sowerby, and we have seen many of our start-ups create jobs or sell their product to the international market,” Hattin said.

“The Smart Hub’s success to date is a testament to council’s investment in delivering the foundations and the state government’s support towards funding mentor programs essential for start-ups to develop their business.

“Our priority for the next two years is to further introduce an ambitious range of events, activities and programs, and importantly, increase the Smart Hub membership. And if we can execute this plan at a high standard we can become a place where start-ups really thrive.”

After recently touring co-working spaces in the United States including Boulder and Silicon Valley, Hattin said Rockhampton’s Smart Hub rivals those found in capital cities.

“Our Smart Hub provides fantastic conditions, services and the flexibility for people growing their business at an extremely affordable price,” she said.

The Smart Hub offers four different levels of membership from casual drop-ins at $15 per day, hot desks at $30/week, permanent desks for $40/week and one- or two-person offices for $50/week.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Petrovich12

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