Griffith University has launched an innovation platform for start-ups and scale-ups who want to make a difference in the world.
Homebase will be powered by Griffith University, hosted at the Logan Campus and led by the Griffith Business School’s Yunus Centre.
Merging the work of an incubator and accelerator, Homebase will support inclusive and impact-led businesses.
Professor of practice and co-Director of The Yunus Centre Alex Hannant
Professor of practice and co-Director of The Yunus Centre Alex Hannant said impact-led businesses created both social and economic benefits to communities.
“This is a really exciting project with the potential to strengthen community connections and cohesion and improve livelihoods, health and security of people in Logan,” Professor Hannant said.
“On top of that local impact we’ll also be developing new knowledge and testing innovation approaches that can ripple across Australia and beyond.
“Impact-led businesses contribute to smart and sustainable economies at the local, regional, national, and global levels.
“Homebase will be inclusive, designed for, and with, entrepreneurs and organisations who reflect the rich diversity of the Logan region, especially migrant and minority groups.”
The incubator is being jointly funded by parties including City of Logan and Griffith University.
Logan City Council Economic Development Chair, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven, said Homebase was a fantastic addition to the city’s innovation ecosystem.
“Council is focused on strengthening the city’s innovation capability, and we recently launched our coLab Growth Hub at Underwood to help businesses scale-up nationally and internationally,” Councillor Raven said.
“Homebase complements the work we’re doing in the innovation sphere to stimulate economic development in our city and we’re excited to collaborate with Griffith University to support migrants and minority groups to get involved.
“We are a city of opportunity and our community is full of talent and passion. I’m confident that Homebase will unearth and support budding entrepreneurs who will go on to create jobs in City of Logan.”
Hannant explained the incubator will offer three tiers of development support, including educational programs like events and workshops, intensive programs for those with early-stage ideas and residencies for high-potential businesses.
“The Yunus Centre will harness expertise from across the University, especially Griffith’s Regional Innovation Data Lab (RIDL) based at Logan, and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship group, within the Department of Business Strategy and Innovation,” he said.
“The centre will also work with specialised innovation and community partners to deliver a range of support services.
“I am also excited about the applied learning opportunities that will be possible for Griffith students, and the concept of an ‘observatory’ for Griffith researchers seeking to better understand entrepreneurship and impact-enterprise development.”
It is anticipated the incubator will build a community of impact-led entrepreneurs and organisations, helping to contribute to a vibrant future for the Logan region and one where success can be measured by its contribution to community wealth, social impact and inclusive growth.
Organisations, students, staff or community members looking to get involved can head to www.ourhomebase.co/
