Digital hub ignites Ipswich innovation boom

A former fire station at the heart of the Ipswich CBD in Queensland has transformed into a digital innovation and start-up hub.

Fire Station 101 has officially launched. The new facility will provide opportunities for business mentoring, development, co-working and potential investment.

The hub is owned by Ipswich City Developments and operated by Ipswich City Enterprises. It will act as an incubator and accelerator to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and opportunity.

Fire Station 101 Community Manager Chad Renando said the facility will help position Ipswich as a leader of the digital economy.

“Technology is changing the way we work and the way we interact. Fire Station 101 shows what is possible and provides a way to take advantage of the opportunities emerging from these changes,” he said.

“The City of Ipswich is investing in a bright, digitally enabled future, a future in which your ideas add real value to your customers and the wider community. We bring together an inspiring workplace, state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and a dynamic community of like-minded entrepreneurs all focused on one thing — the entrepreneur’s success.”

Ipswich City Enterprises Chairman Paul Tully added that the move will help Ipswich reduce its reliance on manufacturing, which is in decline across Queensland. The manufacturing sector is the largest employer across the city, accounting for over 16% of the workforce.

Image courtesy of Kory Twaites under CC