Innovative Work Space Launched to Support Entrepreneurs

Innovative Work Space Launched
to Support Entrepreneurs

PRESS RELEASE: Wednesday 31 October 2012: An innovative new work space has opened in Tauranga’s city centre to support early-stage entrepreneurs. Established by Priority One, Ignition aims to foster innovation by providing a co-working space to encourage collaboration and promote commercialisation. The space particularly suits people that are self-employed, freelance or from out of town.

The concept of co-working is becoming crucial to the future of work in the 21st century. Co-working spaces, both internationally and in New Zealand, have given rise to increased innovation and productivity by bringing together people with different thought processes, experiences, and talents. Businesses and individual users benefit through lower overhead costs and increased collaborative opportunities, while local communities benefit by retaining skilled talent and growing new businesses. Each co-working space is different and can be tailored to best meet the needs of the local community.

Michelle McCarthy, Priority One’s Project Analyst, managed the establishment of Ignition. “We saw a need to support Tauranga’s co-working community and, in doing so, to foster the innovation and commercial potential of local entrepreneurs,” she says.

Ignition has been launched with an enthusiastic co-working community comprising a diverse range of professionals. These range from IT entrepreneurs to graphic designers and strategy development experts, and include business analysts and marketing/communications specialists. The majority of co-workers are self-employed and were attracted to the co-working model for its networking and collaborative opportunities, central location, access to meeting rooms and ultra-fast broadband.

Kathryn Overall of Engage Communications says “I began my marketing consultancy, Engage Communications, 18 months ago. While I enjoy the autonomy of working for myself, I have missed the energy of being around other people. Already I find myself bouncing ideas off my new office buddies – they are a great bunch, diverse and dynamic. It is also great to have a central location in the city, which makes it easy for me to see clients in a professional office environment.”

In order to be accessible to business people at all levels, costs have been kept to a minimum with low annual membership fees. Those in the co-working space have access to hot-desks, meeting rooms, ultra-fast broadband and break-out spaces/lounge areas. There is also a post office box address for use by Ignition tenants.

Ignition would not have become a reality without the considerable support of a number of Priority One business members. We would therefore like to acknowledge Jasmax for the interior design, Woods Creative for developing the brand and creative aspects, EOL for their work bringing ultrafast broadband into the space, and Modern Office for bringing together the look and feel of the interior fit out with office furniture.

IT entrepreneur Jo Allum says “Ignition really demonstrates Priority One’s commitment to enabling growth and fostering innovation in the Bay of Plenty. The opportunity to work and collaborate with other local start-ups is priceless in terms of benefits to my business.”

ENDS

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