The Gold Coast Innovation Hub (GC Hub) has long been a powerhouse of collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurial growth. To continue fostering a dynamic environment where startups, students, investors, and industry leaders can thrive, we’re excited to introduce our new Workplace and Program Coordinator – Josh Smith.
As the GC Hub’s Workplace and Program Coordinator, Josh is here to help our community maximise their experience, whether through their utilisation of the Hub’s casual coworking space, the various workshops and networking opportunities that it provides, or more structured innovation programs. With a deep passion for connecting people, driving business growth, and cultivating meaningful collaborations, Josh’s is focused on making the GC Hub a hub of action, ideas, and drivers of growth for those involved in the Gold Coast startup, innovation and professional education fields.
How Josh Can Support You
The Workspace and Program Coordination role at the GC Hub is multifaceted, focusing on bridging the gap between industry, startups, and education. Some of the key focal areas where Josh may be able to assist you to meet your growth objectives, and to build connections within the local community, include:
- Program Coordination & Management – Overseeing initiatives that connect students, startups, and corporates, including Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements, the Student/Start-up UX Club, Brunch Like a Boss, the Corporate Innovation Register, and hackathons.
- Stakeholder Engagement – Helping founders, mentors, investors, and corporate partners connect, ensuring they gain the most from their involvement with the GC Hub.
- Community & Workspace Management – Ensuring the Hub operates smoothly, supporting members with their workspace needs, and fostering an engaged, collaborative community.
- Innovation & Industry Collaboration – Facilitating partnerships that enable startups to test ideas, gain insights, attract grant funding, and scale effectively.
Key Programs In Which You Can Get Involved
Josh is particularly excited to lead several key programs that bring immense value to our community. Some of these are still under development, but we’re keen to receive messages of interest, while others are ready to go.
- Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Placements: Startups can tap into fresh talent by hosting university students in structured placements, gaining valuable insights and support while providing students with real-world experience. Similarly, universities, TAFEs and other tertiary training organisations may build the industry relevance of their offerings by providing students with these pathway opportunities.
- Student/Start-up UX Club: This initiative helps startups refine their products with feedback from student teams, offering a win-win opportunity for experiential learning and product development.
- Brunch Like a Boss: A quarterly event spotlighting female founders, where attendees can gain firsthand insights into the challenges and successes of scaling a business.
- Corporate Innovation Register & Hackathons: A platform connecting startups and students with corporate problem statements, culminating in hackathons where innovative solutions take shape.
What This Means for You
If you’re a founder looking to test your product, nurture emerging talent, or engage with industry leaders, Josh is your go-to person. If you’re an investor or corporate leader seeking innovative partnerships or grants, he’ll help connect you to the right opportunities. And if you’re a student eager to gain hands-on experience in the startup world, Josh is here to guide you towards the programs that will help you grow.
As we continue to expand our programs and community, Josh is eager to hear from you. Whether it’s a quick chat about your startup’s needs or a deep dive into how GC Hub can support your vision, feel free to reach out and introduce yourself!
Welcome, Josh! Let’s build, innovate, and thrive together.
