Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has announced the CBD location of Brisbane’s $5 million innovation hub, which will create hundreds of new jobs of the future and help grow Brisbane’s booming startup community.
The startup hub, to be known as The Capital, will be located in the Queen St Mall, and delivers on a key initiative of the Brisbane 2022 Economic Plan. The hub will provide support for more than 200 startup operators to bring their bold business ideas to life.
Cr Quirk said over the past four years Council has worked hard to create jobs and support small businesses. The innovation industry is critical to building the City’s economy and is already a major job creator in Brisbane.
“My team is focussed on keeping Brisbane’s economy on the right track, with a strong financial future and new jobs.
“The Capital is part of our reliable plan to deliver for Brisbane, Australia’s New World City.”
Cr Quirk said Australia’s largest startup operator, Fishburners, and local success story Little Tokyo Two were confirmed as The Capital’s anchor tenants.
“From mid-year, The Capital will occupy three levels above the Zara building at 155 Queen Street, with access through the heritage-listed Regent Theatre that is now home to the Visitor Information Centre,” he said.
Building owner and developer, ISPT’s General Manager of Development Services, Chris McCluskey, said ISPT would join The Capital as a Founding Partner and were delighted to be playing a lead role in Brisbane’s innovation agenda.
“This is a fantastic location with great access and facilities and we’re excited to be at the forefront of Brisbane’s startup boom,” Mr McCluskey said.
Cr Quirk said The Capital would not only provide affordable, premium co-working office space in the CBD for startups but for industry to meet and connect along with academics, students and small business operators.
“A critical part of the planning process has also been to integrate the wider business community with The Capital, so that operators can benefit from unprecedented access to capital, expertise, global markets and commercial networks,” said Cr Quirk.
“Along with our Hotel Investment and Student Accommodation strategies and free city Wifi, this initiative to attract entrepreneurs to the CBD adds to the considerable momentum we’re building for our vibrant new World City.”
