Following the opening of the Upstairs Startup Hub in Bathurst, the Bega Valley Shire is the latest regional centre to announce it’s getting an innovation hub.
The region has received $382,000 in funding from the Federal Government’s Incubator Support Program to develop the hub, which will be based out of the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Bega campus. It will provide support to the university’s accelerator program, iAccelerate, and space for the community.
The development of the hub has been a community effort: a local ‘innovation taskforce’, comprising local businesses, the Bega Valley Shire Council, and UOW Bega, came together to raise the capital necessary to help submit an application for government funding.
Kristy McBain, mayor of Bega Valley Shire, said the hub will make a great addition to the community.
“When completed the hub promises to underpin the spirit of challenging the norm and searching for better ways that have always existed in our community,” she said.
“You only have to look at the UOW campus, Bega Cheese, the new hospital, or the wider small business community to see that the Valley has never been a place to stand still. People are here to have a go and build prosperity for their community.
“Through a collective embracing of technology we will be very well placed to attract investment, with improved economic and social outcomes sure to result.
