BUSINESS No vacancy: Centre for start- ups is full
THE entrepreneurial juices are flowing in Townsville, with a small business incubator reporting it has reached 100 per cent tenant capacity for the first time in 12 years.
Indigenous start- up businesses Jakaba Constructions and CBD Services are the latest tenants to move into the Townsville Business Development Centre at Condon.
The centre provides 30 units for start- up businesses as well as advisory and support services.
The centre’s chief executive, Ben Verning, said more people with busi- ness ideas were willing to have a go and the centre had been active spreading the word about its services.
“TBDC is experiencing a resurgence in entrepreneur confidence in line with the wave of general business confidence developing in Townsville, which is very promising,” Mr Verning said.
“We’re encouraged by the fact our incubator units are running at full capacity for the first time in over a decade, because it means TBDC is providing a valued and sought- after service for local businesses.
“It is our ultimate aim to assist and guide all of our incubator tenants to develop their businesses to the point where they have the skill, knowledge and confidence to transition to their own premises and be successful independently of the TBDC.”
Jakaba Constructions has been operating since February, subcontracting on small projects with commercial builders, while CBD Services has been operating for about 18 months providing electrical services in regional towns.
Jakaba director Melissa Anderson said they had been working from a home office and believed the centre would be a good starting point for further growth.
“We see being a TBDC incubator tenant as a vital step in developing sustainable business models early so that we are in a better position to grow and succeed independently in the future,” Ms Anderson said.
“Joining the TBDC provides us with an immediate support network to call upon if and when we need it and we have already received nothing but support and encouragement.”
The centre provides development plans for its tenants to transition into their own commercial premises.
It also partners with local businesses and organisations to provide services to members.