Tasmania opens Enterprize innovation hubs

The Tasmanian government has opened two new Innovation Hubs to foster entrepreneurship and support start-ups in the state.

The new hubs in Hobart and Launceston are called Enterprize — Tasmania’s Start-up Space. They will be focused on providing the resources and support required to inspire and accelerate students, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Innovators will be provided with a location, training and mentoring to develop, evaluate and implement their pre-start-up and early-stage business ideas.

While the hubs will be focused on start-ups, they will be open to the public to help tap into ideas from all segments of the community, including a pool of over 50,000 students each.

Anchor tenants and industry mentors will provide support and act as business role models. Start-ups will also be provided free products, services and training from companies including Amazon Web Services and Google.

The Hobart hub is located at the former Mercury building, while the Launceston facility will be initially located on Paterson Street before moving to its permanent home at Macquarie House.

The hubs are named Enterprize after the tall ship that sailed from Launceston to establish Melbourne in 1835. It was built in Hobart.

Both new hubs form part of the present government’s efforts to transform Tasmania into an IT and innovation centre within Australia.

Image courtesy of Chris Phutully under CC.