Australia’s first indigenous-led digital innovation and start-up incubator has launched in far north Queensland today.
According to co-founder Leigh Harris the DHIVE (digital hive) innovation and start-up hub, based in Cairns, aims to educate the digitally disconnected and disadvtanged.
Mr Harris an Aboriginal business order, said the project was a long time dream, and would bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees, new immigrants and people living with a disability.
“Digital technological advancement should benefit society as a whole,” Mr Harris said.
“It is our responsibility to educate and empower people through digital literacy, innovation and start-up to grow new opportunities.
“DHIVE is the shining light of our future.”
Envizion group CEO and DHIVE co-founder Julie-Ann Lambourne will launch the hub today and said the new program aimed to include those who were traditionally left out of the digital economy.
“Imagine the potential talent we are missing out on when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees, new migrants and those with disabilities are excluded from participating and contributing to the growth of the digital economy,” Ms Lambourne said.
“We want to harness the potential of all our vibrant community and not leave anyone behind; that’s why DHIVE has been established.”
DHIVE will be based from non-profit employment and training agency Envizion’s offices, and can accommodate up to 50 people at any given time.
Mr Harris and Ms Lambourne said that over the next few months DHIVE will run workshops, start-up weekends and hackathons in collaboration with partners.
They said they’d be training and mentoring students and entrepreneurs to co-create building new opportunities for regional and remote Australians throughout far north Queensland.
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