Wollongong City Council has joined together with the University of Wollongong to launch StartPad, a space to allow entrepreneurs to grow and develop ideas into successful businesses.
NSW Trade & Investment, RDA Illawarra and Enterprise Connect have also supported this initiative.
StartPad, located in 93 Crown Street, Wollongong, will provide entrepreneurs cheap accommodation, mentoring support, peer support, access to networks for those people who have great ideas they would like to see developed into a business.
Tamantha Stutchbury, from the University’s Innovation and Technology Transfer unit, believes that StartPad represents a turning point in the development of a new industry profile for the Illawarra and will act as an ideas incubator. “StartPad delivers a unique and alternate opportunity to graduating university students and local entrepreneurs,” Tamantha said.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery said Council was delighted to support StartPad by providing space at 93 Crown Street. “This development shows that Wollongong is able to move away from the traditional industries into a world where companies and entrepreneurs can work on the development of innovative applications and tools to deliver new businesses and employment opportunities.
“Council is keen to see this area of the city used to support entrepreneurs who have ideas and foresight,” Cr Bradbery said. “This is an opportune time to support a dynamic growth industry in our city.
“Council has entered into an agreement with the University to allow use of this space in central Wollongong for StartPad. The entrepreneurial drive, vision and creativity of people wishing to locate at StartPad will ensure that their fledgling businesses are able to get off to a good start in a wonderful location. This is an important step in supporting an identified key growth area in the city.”
Elizabeth Eastland, Director of ITT and Commercial Research Unit at the University, said: “StartPad is a key element in the development of a dynamic and sustainable business ecosystem and will provide a pipeline into the iAccelerate Centre which is proposed for the Innovation Campus.”
Council has worked on the design and fit out of 93 Crown Street to ensure that it meets the requirements of IT-focussed business start-up companies, for instance, high speed broadband. It will also act as a draw card to the city for students and entrepreneurs hoping to work in this field.
StartPad is calling for interested parties to apply with submissions closing on 11 November. You can make a submission and contact Tamantha Stutchbury on email. Application forms and information on StartPad can be found at www.iaccelerate.com.au .