finance
Brisbane Entrepreneur Turns Old Telegraph Building Into Hub for Sustainable Startups
Local innovator Emma Harrison revives historic site on Edward Street to foster green technology businesses.
How we reported this
A historic Edward Street building is gaining new life as Brisbane entrepreneur Emma Harrison opens Greenworks Hub, a workspace and incubator dedicated to sustainable startups. The project officially launched Tuesday, marking a fresh chapter for the heritage-listed former Telegraph Office, a site dating back to 1870.
The timing could not be more significant. As Brisbane continues its drive to become Australia’s green tech capital by 2030, the demand for specialized spaces to incubate innovation in renewable energy, circular economies, and climate resilience is surging. Greenworks Hub aims to attract local businesses aligning with these city and Queensland government priorities.
From Heritage Building to Innovation Hotspot
Located in Brisbane’s CBD at 345 Edward Street, the Greenworks Hub offers co-working spaces, cutting-edge lab facilities, and networking rooms tailored to clean tech entrepreneurs. The site is near the Brisbane City Council’s Climate Innovation Centre on Queen Street Mall and falls within the areas benefiting from the recent $15 million city grant program supporting sustainable enterprise zones.
Harrison partnered with the Brisbane Economic Development Agency and the Queensland Clean Energy Council to develop the site. The building’s restoration also prioritized energy efficiency, meeting a 6-star Green Star rating. According to Council data, this is one of the few heritage projects integrated into the city’s sustainability framework to date.
Boosting Brisbane’s Green Business Ecosystem
Brisbane has seen a 22% rise in green startups over the last 18 months, with funding increasing from $40 million in 2024 to $62 million in 2026, according to the Queensland Investment and Trade Corporation. At Greenworks Hub, monthly memberships start from $350, making it accessible for emerging entrepreneurs and SME founders. The hub expects to host over 60 companies this year.
Looking ahead, Harrison plans to expand programming with workshops on securing government grants and connecting startups to global green tech investors. Local businesses interested in joining can apply through the Greenworks website, with the next intake scheduled for September 1st.
For Brisbane’s clean tech pioneers, Greenworks Hub offers not just space but a community grounded in the city’s ambitions to lead on climate innovation and sustainable growth.
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