Marcus Butler
20 April 2017: Budding entrepreneurs, including University of Canberra students, with dreams of launching their own start-up business are already benefitting from the first Entry 29 satellite site which has opened on the University campus.
The E29@UC co-working space is already growing with entrepreneurs moving into the space and working on turning their ideas into reality.
Entry 29, Canberra’s biggest start-up community, currently operates from a primary site at the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) in the city centre, now E29@UC will be also based at the University of Canberra’s Bruce campus, where a community manager will oversee the growing group of entrepreneurs.
University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deep Saini said the partnership between Entry 29 and the University will provide students and staff and members of the community with a great chance to kick-start their business in a co-working space.
“Having E29@UC on campus is an outstanding opportunity for the University’s students and researchers,” Professor Saini said. “Canberra already has a flourishing start-up community and there are plenty of UC students and staff with solid business concepts ready to join this community.
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(L to R) ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA, Entry 29 CEO Tom Robinson, Entry 29 Chairman and Founder Rory Ford and University of Canberra President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Deep Saini cut the ribbon to officially open E29@UC. Photo:Vanessa Lam
“This initiative is part of the University’s enhanced focus on student entrepreneurship. It will serve as a great opportunity for students to workshop their ideas and launch business ventures, hopefully even before finishing their degree.”
Professor Saini joined ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA to officially launch the co-working space on Thursday 20 April. Mr Barr commented that future economic diversification for Canberra would hinge on the higher education and innovation sectors.
Tom Robinson, Entry 29’s CEO said he was thrilled with this venture.
“This is much more than a co-working space; it is a community of start-ups and entrepreneurs who want to work from the University campus. They will be able to collaborate, share knowledge and help each other along the way,” Mr Robinson said.
“We are proud of the fact that we have engaged UC students and alumni in the creation of this space; they have helped with everything from our bespoke office furniture to the artwork on the walls. And now we are ready to work with the UC community in this space.”
E29@UC is already welcoming its first members, bringing in new and innovative start-ups with business models that show potential for high growth and can be scaled up to build, and meet, future customer demand.
While community start-ups and entrepreneurs will be required to pay a fee for the space at E29@UC; University of Canberra students are eligible for a heavily discounted membership.
For more information about E29@UC visit the Entry 29 website
