Gold Coast Hub to open in Robina - potentially injecting billions into the local economy

TODAY marks the the official launch of the Gold Coast Hub – a launchpad for dozens of Gold Coast startups that potentially could be worth billions to the local economy.

TODAY is the official launch of the Gold Coast Hub – a launchpad for dozens of Gold Coast startups that potentially could be worth billions to the local economy.

The opening of the Gold Coast’s first dedicated precinct for innovative companies heralds a major milestone for Gold Coast Hub CEO Sharon Hunneybell, who, with a team of techheads has worked for the past two years on the concept.

The hub has just scored a coup - signing Optus as a founding partner - and has 30 startups that have already moved in or are about to do so this week.

Gold Coast Hub has leased 1822sq m over three levels at the PC building at 36 Laver Drive, Robina, which is owned by Robina Group.

Gold Coast Hub announced it had found a new home in June at The PC Building. Pictured from left to right are Robina Group's Hylton Slater, Opmantek's Danny Maher and Sharon Hunneybell, and Knight Frank's Tania Moore.

Ms Hunneybell said it would be a place to coalesce rather than splinter and fragment into different parts.

She said that while the Gold Coast had a high level of innovation and entrepreneurship, “no one is talking to each other”.

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“The opportunity here is to link all the innovators and work together to share knowledge,” she said.

“We believe the hub is going to have a $3 billion impact during the next five years.

An old Billabong factory was announced last year as the hub’s location but fell over after commercial terms were not agreed upon. Pictured are Danny Maher, Sharon Hunneybell and Mike Danelli. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“That has been extrapolated from performance figures from (hub manager) Little Tokyo Two.”

She said this month marked the end of the first year of a three-year action plan supported by the State Government and Gold Coast City Council.

Ms Hunneybell, along with founding chairman Danny Maher, head up local software firm Opmantek.

The pair announced their intention to launch the hub in April last year after securing $20 million in funding.

In October last year the hub held its first Startup Weekend event at its initial location at Burleigh Heads.

Ms Hunneybell said the hub had already assisted several local startups, including Little Phil – an innovative ­platform designed to bridge the trust deficit between charities and millennials ­seeking to donate.

“This is about creating the change you want to see in the world,” Ms Hunneybell said.

“Opmantek has been successful and managed to grow a global business.

“It was not an easy path and having journeyed down that road we want to make it easier for other businesses.”

Vincent Fletcher, who is CEO of Burleigh Heads-based business CartonCloud, has spoken at the hub on the challenges he faced launching his business, which was recently named the 2018 Telstra Queensland Small & Succeeding Award winner.

“My hope is the hub will stir people who would not otherwise try and start something,” he said.

Innovation Minister Kate Jones, who will speak today at the hub’s opening, said the Gold Coast had long been recognised for its entrepreneurial culture.