NOVA opens for business, welcoming ideas and community!
The University of New England’s SMART Region Incubator (SRI) will officially open the doors of its new home, NOVA, on 1st December.
Located in the former Armidale War Memorial Library in the heart of Armidale’s CBD, NOVA will support business innovation across the region.
The building was made available by the Armidale Regional Council and provides a local, easily accessible base for UNE SRI from which it can run programs and opportunities that support resilient regional communities. UNE has invested nearly $1M in renovating this facility to create a dynamic, open, innovation environment.
UNE Vice-Chancellor and CEO, Professor Brigid Heywood, said NOVA provides a solid foundation on which to build a vibrant innovation community.
“UNE SRI and NOVA will support existing businesses and organisations by developing and offering programs that enable recovery, growth and resilience, and contribute to a strong regional economy,” Professor Heywood said.
“Importantly, NOVA will also be a launch pad for entrepreneurs in key regional focus areas such as agriculture, creative industries, environment, renewable energy, food processing and health.”
Armidale Regional Council Mayor Ian Tiley welcomed the opening of NOVA saying the council was delighted to be able to provide the old library building as a space for UNE SRI to better connect with the innovators and entrepreneurs in our community.
“Having an accessible community space right in the heart of the Armidale CBD for businesses and emerging businesses to meet, share ideas and collaborate on the next big idea is exciting,” Councillor Tiley said.
“I look forward to seeing what evolves from the many programs facilitated by UNE SRI that nurture our region’s forward thinkers and makes their ideas a new business reality.”
UNE SRI will occupy and manage NOVA. The space will be shared with founders who are building their skills and businesses with support from the SRI and its programs, and others keen to utilise the central location and facilities. UNE SRI will also facilitate opportunities and connections for new and established founders, students, researchers and industry to share ideas and collaborate.
NOVA provides co-working space that is available for community, business, organisations, groups and individuals to book offices and hot desks as well as hold meetings and presentations. Other facilities include workshop spaces, a podcast studio and video room.
“As well as physical facilities and valuable programs, NOVA will provide a space for connection and conversation,” said Dr Lou Conway, UNE SRI Director.
“Quite often it is those incidental meetings, or a chat over a cup of tea, where a concept has the chance to take shape. We are excited to welcome the community into the building, and to watch ideas grow!”
NOVA joins the growing network of SRI partnership facilities across the New England North West region, including those being developed in Tamworth and Moree.
The UNE SRI will utilise NOVA to continue exploring possibilities for the region’s economy, and deliver business support programs. It is supported by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments through its Stage Two of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
While numbers for the official launch are limited due to COVID restrictions, the SRI is keen to introduce the community to the space, welcomes enquiries and is looking forward to a larger community celebration in the new year!
More HERE