Belfast’s new tech hub set to double in size with £1m investment

Decision: Steve Pette BELFAST’S Ormeau Baths is to double the size of its co-working space at the innovation hub in a £1m investment.

The former Victorian bathhouse on Ormeau Avenue, which opened as a hub for firms in July 2017, has become a centre for new tech start-ups in the city.

The hub says it offers access to funding, expertise and business networks. The project has held over 500 events since opening, with more than 16,000 people passing through its doors.

It’s driven by a number of influential tech entrepreneurs.

Announcing the development of a further 8,000 sq ft of space in the Ormeau Baths building, co-founder Steve Pette said the decision to expand was based on the desire to help support more start-up companies as they scale up by enabling them to take more space or have their own dedicated offices.

“When we opened Ormeau Baths, the vision was to create a genuine start-up community and a hub that could become the beating heart of Belfast’s tech community for the growing number of start-ups currently being founded and scaling up across the city,” he said.

“We originally envisaged Ormeau Baths becoming the natural home for tech meet-ups, hackathons and pitch events where early stage and advanced start-ups could learn from one another, gain access to corporates and attract potential investors. This has certainly happened beyond our wildest dreams and we are incredibly excited about what the next phase will bring.”

During its first year, 50% of companies grew their teams or revenues and between them they have raised over £10m in venture funding.