Innovation Takes Centre Stage: Invercargill CBD Welcomes New Business Hub

The Southland Business Chamber and COIN South are excited to announce the launch of a new business and innovation hub in the heart of Invercargill CBD.

Co-locating at 25 Don St (previously SIT Downtown), the hub will open in May and provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for business support, catering to everyone from start-ups through to existing businesses.

This exciting new initiative will help build the region’s economic, environmental, and social resilience, benefitting multiple Southland businesses.

Developed and managed by the Southland Business Chamber, the Business & Innovation Hub will provide a contemporary business centre for the organisations to co-exist and collaborate with other local like-minded organisations, start-ups, and the wider Southland business community.

Chamber President Neil McAra said “The Chamber Board felt they had a part to play in the CBD revitalisation and turning an empty building into a space for growth and innovation was a great way to achieve this. We appreciate the support of the landlord Gaire Thompson who gave us the opportunity to make this central hub happen”.

“The key benefit of the Business & Innovation Hub is the opportunity for various organisations and businesses to come together, and work in a collaborative environment, sharing ideas and supporting one another,” said Sheree Carey, CEO of Southland Business Chamber. “We’re excited about the potential to foster innovation and business growth in the region.”

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Southland Business Chamber to offer this space to the region’s business community,” said Cathy Peters, General Manager of COIN South. “The space allows us to amplify the impact of the work that we do through collaboration and provide a catalyst for the growth and success of Southland organisations by having a central location enabling connections and business support.”

The hub will offer a stylish co-working space for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and visitors to the city, with desks available by the hour, week, month, or permanently. It will also feature two training rooms and office space for organisations to have off-site meetings, all of which will be available for hire to the public.

The variety of spaces available will provide the opportunity to host business events and networking functions, professional development courses, and workshops. There will be collective spaces available for Government Departments and other business support agencies such as Great South and Invest South to host drop-in information sessions and events.

The Chamber is also in negotiation with other tenants that complement the business support sector and community youth pathways into employment.