{"id":8079,"date":"2017-08-02T02:54:00","date_gmt":"2017-08-02T02:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sidewaysthoughts.com\/blog\/?p=8079"},"modified":"2021-01-19T02:56:08","modified_gmt":"2021-01-19T02:56:08","slug":"models-of-innovation-spaces-a-map-of-queenslands-accelerators-innovation-hubs-and-co-working-spaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sidewaysthoughts.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/models-of-innovation-spaces-a-map-of-queenslands-accelerators-innovation-hubs-and-co-working-spaces\/","title":{"rendered":"Models of innovation spaces: A map of Queensland\u2019s accelerators, innovation hubs, and co-working spaces"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The role of innovation hubs in innovation ecosystems<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The concept of an \u201cecosystem\u201d in relation to innovation is becoming more understood, and refers to the configuration of government policy and programs, investment groups, corporations, education providers, and service providers focused on entrepreneurial activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical spaces play a key role in the innovation ecosystem. Physical spaces bring the different parts of the ecosystem together in what can be considered a non-partisan \u201cthird space\u201d. A third space is a place that is not home or work, but a safe place where community emerges around shared interests. Like a church for faith and religion or a soccer field for sport and family, the innovation hub is common ground for developing and scaling ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hub acts as an innovation engine for a region or sector, taking inputs of market demands and local needs and transforming them through programs, culture, and chance encounters into scalable outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A taxonomy of innovation hubs in Queensland<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each space is different. Part of my current line of research for my PhD as well as measuring the ecosystem in Queensland is identifying how these differences impact outcomes for entrepreneurs and regional ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An observation from my recent North American tour<\/a> of mature and emerging ecosystems was the specialisation and diversity within spaces and programs. This specialisation creates a taxonomy based on the sector, geography, impact, business model, stage, and demographic focus of the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two main characteristics form the business model of the innovation hub. First is the owner or primary funding agent driving the agenda for the space (Corporate, VC, Independent \/ Mixed, University, and Government). This agenda will define the programming, leadership style, and the overall entrepreneur experience in the hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the purpose of the model, multi-site brands such as Little Tokyo Two and Fishburners are positioned based on the funding model that supports their operation. This is distinct from company structure such as for profit or not for profit, and means a single brand can be positioned in multiple areas under different models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second business model characteristic is the degree of focus on entrepreneurial activity. This ranges from primary desk-for-hire co-working<\/strong>, through to innovation hubs<\/strong> with specialist programming and events, and on to structured accelerator \/ incubator<\/strong> programs. The greater the emphasis on entrepreneurial activity, the greater the reliance on additional revenue streams to support resources for related events, programs, and investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to these two characteristics, other attributes that differentiate spaces include whether a space is regional, has a specific focus on social outcomes, is targeted at youth, the sector focus (health, tourism, defence, etc.), whether a hardware \/ hackerspace element is offered, and stage (early, seed, scale-up).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spaces listed below are based on spaces I am aware of, Google search, and the recent website launch of the Queensland Office of the Chief Entrepreneur<\/a> which provides a great first pass at a searchable map of Queensland\u2019s innovation ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some spaces may be missing, and others may not be active. I have personally engaged with many of the spaces or groups on the list, but not all. I have done my best to not misrepresent. Drop me a line if you know a space or program that needs to be included or if you feel your space needs to be adjusted in the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n