A startup incubation space to nurture the next generation of business leaders at QUT has been officially opened by Queensland’s first Chief Entrepreneur.
The QUT Foundry, a co-working and mentoring space at QUT’s Gardens Point campus, was officially launched by Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Mark Sowerby today (FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21).
Mr Sowerby is one of the state’s most successful entrepreneurs and best known as the founder and former Managing Director of Blue Sky Alternative Investments Ltd, an ASX-listed diversified funds manager focussed on alternative assets.
As the inaugural Chief Entrepreneur, Mr Sowerby helps set Queensland’s strategy to identify, attract and nurture opportunities to best position Queensland as the Startup State.
The QUT Foundry, powered by QUT’s innovation, venture and investment company qutbluebox, is a space for QUT student entrepreneurs, staff and alumni to devise and develop ideas. As well as mentoring opportunities, QUT Foundry startups will have access to regular events and advice from industry experts.
Mr Sowerby said QUT was “a force to be reckoned with” and praised the opening of QUT Foundry as the latest step in the university’s evolving entrepreneurial focus.
“You can’t have enough of these spaces,” he said.
“What you’re really playing for is that random interaction, that sliding door moment that changes the world.
“QUT is an incredible place. There is so much momentum here and everybody’s behind it.”
The opening comes after QUT was selected to host the MIT Global Entrepreneurship Bootcamp at Gardens Point campus in March, 2017.
QUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Commercialisation Professor Arun Sharma said QUT Foundry was part of a wider commitment to making QUT a hub for emerging entrepreneurs.
“Queensland has a strong track record in fostering globally successful entrepreneurs like Mark Sowerby and QUT will be at the forefront of encouraging the next generation,” he said.
“The QUT Foundry is an exciting, creative space where young entrepreneurs will have support to transform innovative ideas into real world business solutions.”
Media contact:
Rob Kidd, QUT Media, 07 3138 1841, rj.kidd@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901
