SmartHub marks first year in Customs House

Published on 08 February 2019

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Rockhampton SmartHub members and supporters enjoyed a special Morning Tea today to celebrate one year since the organisation moved into its official Customs House home.

Rockhampton Regional Mayor Margaret Strelow said it had been a remarkable 12 months.

“Ever since the incredible transformation of the Customs House building into a modern co-working space, we have seen the SmartHub go from strength to strength,” Mayor Strelow said.

“There are now 52 members and strong partnerships and sponsorships in the wider community, with organisations like Advance Queensland, CQUniversity, Energy Australia, Startup Capricorn, the Australian Computer Society and local accountants and lawyers.

“It is wonderful to see businesses choosing to start or stay in our region rather than go to Brisbane or elsewhere, because they know the support and resources at the SmartHub will help them succeed.”

SmartHub Manager Elize Hattin told those attending that the future was bright.

“We have had such a busy, exciting, and highly rewarding year,” Ms Hattin said.

“Not only has the SmartHub firmly established itself as the professional home for members, but it has been the base from which countless events and programs have been developed and delivered, including a variety of Lunch & Learn events, Startup and Govhack weekends, rapid-scaling programs, Onramp, youth entrepreneur events and more.

“We have also worked with co-working spaces across Queensland, Australia, and the world.

“With our culture of collaboration and positivity, we are determined to see businesses from the Rockhampton Region grow and reach international markets.

“In fact, the whole SmartHub team has been working diligently to achieve our vision of creating an environment where Startups and business can thrive.

“Ultimately, we exist as the home for our ecosystem, and nothing makes us prouder than the success of our SmartHub members. A large number of our Startups are growing and going from strength to strength. Their success is our success and we can’t wait to see more of it in the future!”

The refurbishment of Customs House to accommodate the Smart Hub was jointly funded by the Queensland Government’s Building our Regions program ($250,000) and Rockhampton Regional Council ($440,000).

What is the SmartHub?

Recognising that the startup businesses of today will be the employers of tomorrow, Rockhampton Regional Council has established a SmartHub to provide support and assistance to startups, entrepreneurs and small business owners.

The SmartHub, an initiative of Council’s Smart Way Forward Strategy, provides an affordable, co-working space where members can collaborate with others, learn and grow from the sense of community plus have access to a variety of programs and events that will take an idea to the next level. The SmartHub also provides resources, workshops and information sessions designed to assist our region’s entrepreneurs in starting and growing successful businesses.

If you are currently operating a fledgling business or looking to commence a venture, the SmartHub could be the perfect place for you.

To get in touch with the Smart Hub and find out more, call 4936 8444, email smarthub@rrc.qld.gov.au or head to the facebook page