Haymarket HQ (HHQ) is Australia’s first dedicated start-up hub supporting entrepreneurs to grow into Asia. HHQ aims to create a strong community with a geographic rather than a particular industry focus.

Why Asia focused? Asia comprises around 60% of the world’s population and is the fastest growing economic region in the world with consumer spending increasing at a rapid pace. Australia’s geographical proximity to Asia, our strong reputation as clean and green, and our large Asian Australian population provides local start-ups with compelling reasons to capitalise on the potential of Asia. There are massive opportunities on offer in some of the world’s biggest business and consumer markets.

HHQ as a not-for-profit innovation hub plays an important role in maximising connections to Asian markets. For many early stage businesses, the time and cost involved in exploring new markets can be prohibitive.

HHQ was established to provide start-ups with an easier path into Asia by creating a community of start-ups with similar challenges and ambitions to which they can leverage from each other. HHQ provides a unique space for Asia focused start-ups to network, collaborate and develop business ideas.

HHQ has 3 core objectives:

• To provide greater opportunity for Australia to capitalise and leverage on our existing Asian capabilities, that is our people with the skills, experience and connections which are currently under-utilised;
• To provide a start-up community presence in Haymarket to tap into the vibrancy of, and activity in, the area;
• To provide an accessible, centralised local network to help facilitate the growth of Australian start-ups into Asia.

HHQ is proud to house a wide range of entrepreneurs exploring innovation in experiential learning, deep tech, VR and cultural diversity in leadership. cleverHeart, a clean energy billing platform for developing countries have grown from a team of 2 to 10 people in the space of 6 months.

Their success includes 3rd place in the recent Innovation & Entrepreneurship International Competition Shenzen, China held at the Sydney Opera House winning RMB30,000 (about AUD $6,000) and another 3rd place win in the Industry finals in Shenzhen, winning a further RMB50,000 (about AUD $10,000) and a range of government incentives amounting to over AUD$250,000 to settle the business in China.

As the heart of electronics manufacture globally, Shenzhen is the obvious manufacturing destination for smart Aussie start-ups and the Chinese government and investors are moving fast and investing heavily to attract smart Australian innovators like cleverHeart to China.

HHQ will provide a central contact point and bridge into Asia, based on a network of local connectors and mentors, and a landing pad for international Asian investors looking for investment opportunities.

To learn more, visit www.haymarkethq.com