Jobs of the future will require innovation and entrepreneurial skills and that’s exactly what UQ’s Idea Hub aims to promote.
Speaking from the UQ Idea Hub at The University of Queensland last week, Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy, the Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP, said the co-working space offers opportunities for young aspiring entrepreneurs to collaborate and transform their ideas into high growth businesses.
“Startups will be the job generators in the years ahead,” said Ms Enoch.
“Research indicates that high-growth technology companies can contribute up to $109 billion to the Australian economy and create more than half a million jobs by 2033.”
“Queensland has some of the best and brightest minds and it’s important we have co-working spaces where young aspiring entrepreneurs can collaborate and transform their ideas into reality.
Some of Queensland’s rising young entrepreneurs began their entrepreneurial journeys right here at UQ including Alborz Fallah, Founder, caradvice.com.au, who has since joined UQ Idea Hub as the first Entrepreneur in Residence.
Idea Hub started as a small pilot in 2015 by Professor Simon Biggs, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology and was launched in their new space in March this year by Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Mark Sowerby, who is passionate about the benefits of a thriving startup ecosystem in Queensland.
Delivered over six weeks, the program equips student entrepreneurs with hands-on experience in ideation, technology choices, prototyping, market validation and business modelling – all designed to help progress ideas to a prototype stage ready for market testing and validation.
Ms Enoch expressed her support for the program and the opportunities that UQ are creating for students through the China Mobility Program, a four-week startup internship in Shanghai, and ongoing programs for high-school students in collaboration with Indooroopilly State High School.
More than 600 students have completed the program to date, with over 70 students currently working in small teams to get their innovative ideas off the ground.
Director of the UQ Idea Hub Nimrod Klayman said there will be many opportunities for bright young people with a creative mind to see their ideas transform into real products and services.
The UQ Idea Hub is open to all UQ students and UQ alumni who have graduated in the last 10 years, and is looking to work further with other groups such as high schools and local industry.
To apply or for more information about UQ Idea Hub visit ideahub.uq.edu.au.
