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Tuesday, 19 March 2019

The University of Western Australia yesterday launched an innovation, co-working and event space to help grow Western Australian small-to-medium-sized enterprises.

UWA IQX aims to facilitate connections and collaborations between researchers, students and industry and is based in the heritage-listed Nedlands Masonic Hall on Broadway, which has been restored and renovated.

Dr Jo Hawkins, manager of UWA’s Innovation Quarter, said staying ahead of competitors in a rapidly changing world required clever thinking from a range of experts.

“UWA IQX is helping enterprises unlock their growth potential by providing acces to cutting-edge research, global networks, student talent, expert advice and high-end infrastructure,” Dr Hawkins said.

“As part of the UWA community, IQX members can also contribute industry insights into research, and support teaching and learning.”

Dr Hawkins said the enterprises working at IQX would be at the heart of the biggest discoveries, the newest ideas, the best minds and the largest network of investors, funders and philanthropists in WA.

UWA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dawn Freshwater, said the University was committed to working with industry to build a stronger Western Australian society and economy.

“UWA has a strong history of pursuing collaborative research opportunities and partnering with industry to develop our innovative early-stage technologies,” Professor Freshwater said.

“We’re aiming to create global leaders: students who think globally, who look at the world with the confidence of having been educated at an outstanding university at the fulcrum of the Indian Ocean rim.

“UWA IQX is a space where researchers and their students can work with industry to light the sparks, show the way, and empower ideas. By supporting innovation, the University can help diversify and grow the economy and create jobs, leading to positive social impact.”

Dr Hawkins said IQX was keen to attract new members who wanted to join a community of likeminded business owners, researchers and commercialisation experts to help grow their enterprises.

“We offer a flexible working space with designated zones ranging from collaborative and social to quiet and private so our members can run their business as well as share collective success.

“We have a main hall space suitable for conferences, workshops, hackathons, training and networking events for up to 150 people, a large board room and several smaller meeting spaces that suit creative and strategy sessions.”

UWA IQX is powered by a partnership between UWA and Business Foundations, a non-profit provider of business assistance to small-to-medium-sized businesses around Australia for nearly 25 years. To find out more visit innovation.uwa.edu.au/iqx

Media references

Dr Jo Hawkins (Manager, Innovation Quarter)                                                            0431 260 552

Simone Hewett (UWA Media and PR Adviser)                                                         (08) 6488 7975

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