CUB opens new venue to capitalise on Games gold

Modern business club to help Brisbane entrepreneurs maximise 2032 Olympics $200 billion opportunities

The Club of United Business (CUB) Founder and CEO Daniel Hakim. Source: Supplied - CUB

• Club of United Business (CUB) will open Brisbane venue to help Queensland entrepreneurs capitalise on the $200 billion opportunity presented by 2032 Olympic Games

• An ideal fit for the dynamic and innovative city, CUB offers a modern take on stuffy gentlemen’s clubs by welcoming all ages, backgrounds and genders

• The Mark Bouris-backed CUB already counts more than 2,000 business leaders among its members

Special Report: As Brisbane warms up for the 2032 Olympic Games it’s getting a new business club to boost Queensland entrepreneurs’ ability to capitalise on the $200 billion opportunity.

A fresh and inclusive take on the old-school gentlemen’s clubs, the Mark Bouris-backed Club of United Business (CUB) has opened successful venues in Sydney and Melbourne, with membership of more than 2,000 business owners and leaders.

CUB Founder and CEO Daniel Hakim says the luxury destination on central Brisbane’s Mary Street is the group’s biggest yet, in line with the huge growth forecast for the city that’s fast becoming a global hub for innovation, investment and events.

“Choosing to bring CUB to Brisbane was a no-brainer, given the strength of the local business market,” Hakim says.

“We have been receiving enquiries from entrepreneurs in Brisbane for years asking us to launch, however Covid delayed our plans.

“The 2032 Brisbane Olympics means there’s an incredible pipeline of business opportunities on the way, with $200 billion in Queensland Government procurement in the run up to the Games.

“This means there’s a great opportunity for business leaders to expand their network and put themselves in a position to capitalise of the city’s growth, and the national and global attention it will attract, both before and after the Olympics.

"We will help them do that by working with government to provide them with the most important information to help them make key business decisions as well as leverage the network to grow their businesses prior to the games to ensure they are in the best position possible to capitalise on the growth of the city."

Games only part of Brisbane growth story

Hakim adds that the Olympics is only part of the Brisbane story, with its population forecast to grow by about 500,000 to hit three million by the time the Games roll around.

“Brisbane is also an emerging tech hub for the Asia-Pacific Region, with a host of start-ups leveraging the city’s university and research sectors to boost their development,” he says.

“Along with new transport infrastructure, there’s also significant investment in the green economy, tourism and cultural facilities, healthcare and agribusiness.

“Overlay all that activity with the 2032 Olympics and you’ve got a really exciting business environment in Brisbane that will benefit from the opportunities CUB can foster.”

Hakim says the CUB model of fostering connections among forward-looking business leaders will support their efforts to ensure the benefits of the Games continue years after the 2032 closing ceremony.

“CUB will enhance businesses’ ability to make the most of the opportunities offered by the Olympics, as well as helping the state build capacity in a range of areas to ensure the Games leave a positive legacy,” he says.

“Bringing business leaders together at our luxurious private venue on Mary Street will enable them to connect and understand all the capabilities and opportunities available locally. That help ensure the benefits of the Games will last long into the future.”

Much more than a venue

CUB venues offer business leaders a range of fabulous spaces for hosting private meetings, entertaining clients, socialising with like-minded people, and providing a home base in cities they don't have an office.

But they are much more than luxury meeting places, with Hakim and his staff fostering a community of like-minded entrepreneurs through tailored events and introductions, and seeking out the best guest speakers for members’ ambitions.

The Club hosts weekly events including keynote talks, sailing days and other social experiences, and small advisory sessions where members can learn from some of the biggest names in Australian business and other leaders.  Every member has a personal network manager who ensures they are introduced to the right people and attending the most relevant events for them as an individual.

Hakim says CUB’s dedication to growing a community and offering individual attention ensures each member is in the best possible position to benefit from belonging to the Club. For members of the Brisbane CUB in particular, it means they have the greatest chance of forging the right connections to capitalise on the Games-led growth of the city.

“The way we will help our members do that is by working with government to provide the most important information to help members make key business decisions, as well as expand and leverage their network to grow their businesses prior to the Games,” he says.

Perfect match

With its policy of welcoming entrepreneurs of all ages, backgrounds and genders, CUB is a perfect fit for the dynamic and diverse Queensland capital.

One of CUB’s first members was co-founder and COO of comparison website Finder and other notable CUB members from the south of the border include Simon Cohen, founder and CEO of Cohen Handler, the buyer’s agent starring in Amazon TV’s Luxe Listings Sydney, and Jane Lu, founder and CEO of leading Australian online fashion retailer ​​Showpo.

CUB has a vision of becoming the largest business community in the country with Clubhouses targeted to launch in every major city within the next 24 months.

This article was developed in collaboration with Club of United Business, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.