Entrepreneurs and innovators looking to launch a business in Moreton Bay will soon have access to a collaborative innovation space at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

The new space will open at UniSC Moreton Bay in the second half of 2023, following an agreement with Moreton Bay Regional Council, to help businesses set-up within The Mill at Moreton Bay knowledge and innovation hub.

UniSC Vice Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett said co-location with a university enabled businesses to connect with future graduates and collaborate with researchers during their start-up phase.

“Students will also benefit from learning alongside entrepreneurs and new business, while fledgeling companies have access to world-class researchers and a pipeline of newly qualified university graduates,” Professor Bartlett said.

“The university is partnering with businesses in the region to meet their needs and support rapid workforce development, to ensure the region optimises its opportunity to build skills and prosperity during a time of rapid growth.”

UniSC’s campus at Petrie began with a state-of-the-art foundation building in 2020, and construction is well underway for three more buildings, due for completion in 2023, with student demand exceeding expectations.

“With Moreton Bay’s population projected to increase to 700,000 in 20 years, we knew there was an enormous opportunity to educate and equip people with the necessary skills to meet industry gaps, and enrolments at our Moreton Bay Campus have already exceeded expectation,” Professor Bartlett said.

“National and international companies are moving to the region and telling us that they need skills and talent as soon as possible, so we are aiming to get students into the workforce during their university programs, to earn while they learn.

“By 2030, we expect UniSC Moreton Bay to be equal in size to our flagship UniSC Sunshine Coast campus, with 10,000 students enrolled and more than 100 degrees on offer.”

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the innovation hub sent a clear signal to investors that Moreton Bay means business.

“Think of this space as a ‘landing pad’ for companies entering the market. Council officers have been supporting two New Zealand companies looking to establish in South-East Queensland and this is the perfect environment for them,” Mr Flannery said.

“Currently there are limited opportunities in Moreton Bay for potential investors to establish themselves in a temporary capacity, this initiative removes that barrier to engagement in our region.