Griffith University will play a key role at this week’s INNOV8 Logan launch event, as the local community gathers to discuss how to best capitalise on the city’s potential for innovation.
Billed as Logan’s “official virtual innovation hub”, INNOV8 Logan is a virtual meeting place for startups, entrepreneurs, mentors, businesses, investors and innovation hobbyists alike to keep tabs on the city’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Alongside its online presence, INNOV8 Logan will promote and share information about events, entrepreneurs, innovation hubs, co-working spaces, jobs, workshops, incubators and accelerators, and more.
Among the events on its stacked calendar for the rest of the year is the GLO@Logan Entrepreneurial Innovation Challenge, run by and at Griffith’s Logan campus.
The University will also be represented at the launch itself both directly – by an activation from the Yunus Social Business Centre – and indirectly, including through showcase contributions by organisations such as Substation 33 (run by Griffith Social Entrepreneur in Residence Mr Tony Sharp) and Smart Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Technologies (or SEMAT, run by Griffith academicDr Jarrod Trevathan and his colleague at the University of Queensland, Associate Professor Ron Johnstone).
Other University partners in the Advancing Regional Innovation Program, such as local startup PowerWells, will also showcase among the 18 vendors at the launch.
Logan campus Yunus Program Manager Ms Celeste Alcaraz said the University’s involvement in regional innovation among the Logan community is reflective of Griffith’s mission to engage in outstanding scholarship that makes a major contribution to society to produce groundbreaking research.
“Logan campus blends Griffith’s research, teaching and engagement strengths into meaningful impact and influence within a specific community as a true example of a Civic University,” she said.
“Home to nearly 2500 students, The Collaboratory, the Regional Innovation Data Lab and Yunus Social Business Centre, we’re already renowned as a national showcase of social inclusion in higher education, and we’ve only just begun.
“Griffith is proud to be involved in the launch of INNOV8 Logan, which is sure to provide the local innovation ecosystem with a versatile platform from which to connect with and inspire each other.”
The INNOV8 Logan launch event will be held from midday on Friday 14 September, and will feature addresses from both Acting Mayor Cherie Dalley and Queensland Chief Entrepeneur Steve Baxter, as well as a panel discussion, pitch session, networking event and more.
For more information about INNOV8 Logan, see its website.