Peregian Digital Hub
Annual Report to 31 October 2025
Exceptional value delivered to the Noosa community—operating at 100% capacity while serving as critical economic infrastructure for the region's digital transformation.
FY2025 at a Glance
The Hub supported 72 members across 25 companies, maintained full occupancy, and delivered programs that reached over 2,500 individuals across startup, education, business and creative sectors.
72
Members across 25 companies
100%
Office space occupancy
2,500+
Program participants
$500k+
External funding secured
Executive Summary
Critical economic infrastructure delivering measurable impact
The Peregian Digital Hub delivered exceptional value to the Noosa community in FY2025, operating at 100% capacity while serving as critical economic infrastructure for the region's digital transformation. The Hub supported 72 members across 25 companies, maintained full occupancy of its four office spaces, and delivered programs that reached over 2,500 individuals across startup, education, business and creative sectors.
The Hub's comprehensive program portfolio demonstrated measurable impact across multiple domains. Youth pathway programs engaged 178 students through Inventors Club, AI Cadetship and Screen Cadetship initiatives, with alumni progressing to engineering, computer science and similar programs at leading universities and securing paid industry work. The Uplift program equipped 40 business leaders representing 1,500+ employees with practical AI implementation skills, achieving a +63 Net Promoter Score. Community support programs delivered 80 Digital Leaders sessions assisting 399 residents with technology adoption.
Program Excellence
- â—Ź178 students engaged through youth pathways
- â—Ź40 business leaders trained in AI implementation
- â—Ź+63 Net Promoter Score for Uplift program
- â—Ź399 residents assisted through Digital Leaders
Strategic Partnerships
- â—Ź$300k from Advance Queensland Regional Enablers
- â—Ź$197.5k for Firetech Connect FATM pilot
- â—ŹSupport from RDA MBSC, Arts Queensland, Bendigo
- â—ŹZero additional cost to ratepayers
Financial Performance
Financial performance improved with the net operating position for FY26 strengthening by 8%, driven by strong membership revenues and operational efficiencies. The Hub's 2021 Social Return on Investment analysis demonstrated $4.8 million in annual value creation from Council's investment—a return that has likely increased substantially given expanded programs and reach. A 2026 SROI update will quantify this growth and inform planning for necessary physical expansion to meet demonstrated community demand.
Core Business
Full capacity with strong demand
Memberships
The Hub currently supports 72 paying members across its full-time and flexible membership offerings. There are 48 Flex members and 24 full-time members—which is 100% utilisation of the available desk space.
Membership demand remained strong despite global tech sector contraction and reduced remote work opportunities. The Hub maintained full capacity with a balanced mix of full-time and flexible members. A notable trend has been the influx of AI-focused founders building early-stage ventures aligned with the Hub's emerging specialisation in applied AI.
Member Highlight
Mulga
A defence technology startup founded by local entrepreneur Ben Duncan, exemplifies the new generation of AI-native companies. Focused on resilient communications for defence applications, Mulga demonstrates how the Hub supports complex, high-value regional innovation.
48
Flex members
24
Full-time members
Office Rentals
All four office spaces are currently tenanted. One tenant, Zitcha, has grown from a solo founder at the Hub into a globally funded advertising technology firm now headquartered in Los Angeles.
Following their relocation, Council has engaged Colliers to lease the vacated space for the remaining term, with strong interest and a new tenancy expected to finalise within two months.
4/4
Offices tenanted
Hub Programs
Comprehensive program portfolio
Targeted initiatives spanning business enablement, AI skills development, and youth pathways.
Uplift: AI for Sunshine Coast SMEs
Uplift addressed the regional gap in AI literacy and adoption for established businesses.
Tokenizer: AI Skills Development Series
Tokenizer solidified the Hub's reputation as a leading AI education and development platform for startups and professionals.
Technical Series
Workshops advanced participants from foundational AI concepts to building production-ready agent workflows for commercial use.
AI Bootcamp for Creatives
Supported by Arts Queensland and RADF, the June 2025 bootcamp drew over 50 artists and creative professionals. Rated 4.55/5, all attendees expressed interest in follow-up sessions.
Vibecamp Hackathon
Held at Habitat Noosa (August 2025), Vibecamp attracted ~100 participants and achieved perfect 5.0/5 satisfaction. Funded by Advance Queensland, it demonstrated the Hub's capacity for state-level innovation events.
Firetech Connect
After five years of impact in bushfire resilience technology, Firetech Connect has achieved its local objectives and will wind down following the final FATM trial. As AI emerges as the next major technological disruptor, the Hub will shift focus to preparing Noosa's economy and community for AI's broad impacts—continuing the tradition of proactive local leadership in technology adaptation.
Success Story
KITT: AI for Allied Health
An AI startup for allied health performance and injury rehabilitation, whose founders met through Tokenizer and has advanced rapidly to beta launch. Tokenizer is now recognised as one of the leading AI skills development programs for founders in Australia.
Talent Development
Building future-ready pathways for youth
178 students engaged across youth programs, with alumni progressing to top universities and paid industry work.
Inventors Club
Now operating two after-school groups weekly, the Inventors Club engaged 91 students (ages 10–15) from across fourteen schools in the region. The peer-led model empowers alumni to design and run projects, developing leadership as well as technical skills.
Projects included game design, remote-controlled vehicles, 3D printing, and digital soundboard construction—offering a structured progression from visual coding to electronics.
91
Students engaged
14
Schools represented
AI Cadetship
37 high school students from 12 schools completed the seven-week AI Cadetship, progressing from AI fundamentals to prototype development.
- â—ŹAlumni pathways include engineering and computer science at QUT, UQ, ANU and UniSC
- â—ŹFinal presentations demonstrated high technical understanding, with projects showcased publicly on YouTube
- â—ŹAlumni now serve as mentors, creating a sustainable, peer-driven talent cycle
37
Students completed
12
Schools represented
Screen Cadetship
Two cohorts (21 students each) completed the Screen Cadetship. The first cohort produced the short film The Exchange under industry mentorship.
Achievements included festival selections, paid work for Vibecamp, and leadership roles in regional screen organisations—demonstrating real career progression.
42
Students across two cohorts
Digital Leaders
In partnership with Noosa Libraries, eight young Digital Leaders provided 80 sessions of free tech support, assisting 399 community members.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants praising the intergenerational exchange and requesting expansion of the service.
80
Support sessions
399
Community members helped
Sector Development
Strengthening regional ecosystems
Industry development initiatives across technology, screen, digital marketing, startups, and investment sectors.
Technology Sector
Coding from Beach held nine meetups with 308 participants, nurturing collaboration between experienced engineers and newcomers. The group was integral to the success of Vibecamp, contributing technical leadership and mentorship.
9
Meetups
308
Participants
Screen Sector
Sunshine Coast Screen Collective (SCSC), hosted at the Hub, continues to be the key driver of industry development for film/tv/gaming/screen professionals. It has grown to 400 paid members and throughout the year, hosting eight industry meetups at the Hub, and attracted 405 attendees.
400
Paid members
405
Meetup attendees
Digital Marketing
REBOOT Noosa convened 262 professionals through seven meetups focusing on AI-assisted marketing. The AI Bootcamp for Creatives extended this impact, positioning local agencies at the forefront of digital content innovation.
7
Meetups
262
Professionals
Startups
AI-focused and technical startups continue to cluster around the Hub, leveraging its facilities, community, and Tokenizer programs. Early-stage AI ventures in healthtech, recruitment, defence, insurance, real estate, and productivity tools are emerging as promising regional success stories.
Investors
Suncoast Angels hosted four pitch events engaging ~100 investors and 8–12 founders pitched their ventures across the events. This network enables syndication with national angel groups, anchoring capital access in the region.
4
Pitch events
~100
Investors engaged
Overall Impact
The Hub hosted 28 professional meetups attracting over 1,000 participants across all sectors, demonstrating its role as the region's premier venue for digital industry collaboration and innovation.
1,000+
Total meetup participants
Strategic Partnerships
Multiplying Council's investment
Strategic partnerships secured over $500,000 in external funding, enabling extensive program delivery without additional cost to ratepayers.
Grant Funding
Advance Queensland
$300,000
Regional Enablers Program: $100,000 per annum over 3 years to support the Hub's Tokenizer program for AI capacity building.
Advance Queensland
$197,500
Regional Futures Collaborative Grant: Provided for Phase 4 of Firetech's FATM pilot, advancing Noosa's emergency management innovation capacity.
Regional Development Australia
$40,000
Provided toward Uplift delivery for regional SMEs.
Arts Queensland / RADF
$5,000
Funded five mentors to deliver workshops in the AI Bootcamp for our region's artists and creatives.
Key Partnerships
Advance Queensland
Three-year, $300,000 partnership under the Regional Enablers of Innovation program, recognising Council and the Hub as key innovation infrastructure in Queensland.
Regional Development Australia (RDA MBSC)
Collaborated to deliver AI capability-building for SMEs, combining Hub expertise with RDA's regional development network to drive productivity and innovation.
Bendigo Community Bank
Sponsored the Hub with $5,000 to fund catering for professional networking activities at Hub meetups, reinforcing the shared mission of local business development.
Manufacturing Excellence Forum (MEF)
Partnered on the Hub's Uplift program delivery, engaging manufacturing businesses employing ~2,500 staff. MEF's endorsement ensured strong participation and practical outcomes.
Get Involved
Partner with the Hub
Join us in building Noosa's digital future. Whether you're a business looking to adopt AI, a student seeking pathways into tech, or an organisation wanting to collaborate—the Hub is here to support you.
Finances
Budget for FY25-26
The Digital Hub budget for FY25-26 has a net operating loss of $256k, which is an 8% improvement on the $279k from FY24-25. This improvement in net position is achieved by:
- An increase in membership revenues due to an expansion in programs and activities being offered out of the Hub's AI Lab including the Tokenizer program which is being funded by the QLD State Govt and Regional Development Australia.
- Materials and services savings realised through a reduction in some operating costs. FY 24/25 was the first full year of operating the Hub's AI Lab and some of the budgeted opex costs have proven to be lower than the initial budget forecast.
Net Position Improvement
8%
Improvement vs FY24-25
Membership Revenue YTD
$115,519
July-October 2025 (4 months)
FY25-26 Net Operating Loss
$256k
Down from $279k in FY24-25
Budget Year to Date
| Financial Statement | Full Year Budget | Actuals YTD | Budget YTD | YTD Variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sale of Goods and Services | $318,902 | $77,495 | $79,725 | ($2,231) |
| Grants, Subsidies - Operating | $187,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Contributions & Donations | $10,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other Recurrent Income | $14,000 | $2,250 | $3,500 | ($1,250) |
| Rental and Levies | $112,409 | $18,739 | $28,102 | ($9,363)Âą |
| Total Revenue | $642,811 | $98,484 | $111,328 | ($12,844) |
| Employee Benefits | $404,334 | $98,769 | $103,143 | ($4,374) |
| Materials & Services | $335,555 | $48,737 | $55,566 | ($6,829)² |
| Depreciation & Amortization | $141,905 | $35,476 | $35,476 | $0 |
| Other Expenses | $1,755 | $306 | $577 | ($271) |
| Internal Charges | $103,915 | $26,341 | $26,292 | ($49) |
| Total Expense | $987,463 | $209,628 | $221,054 | ($11,426) |
| Total Surplus / (Deficit) | ($344,652) | ($111,144) | ($109,726) | ($1,418) |
Âą Year to date, the Hub's four offices have been fully-tenanted. Despite the imminent departure of Zitcha, Council expects that the remaining lease will be assigned to a new tenant without loss of revenue or cost to Council.
² First full year of AI Lab operations provided cost clarity, driving savings across materials and services.
Membership Revenue
Membership revenue is performing strongly, generating $115,519 over the first four months (July-October 2025), demonstrating both strong demand and revenue diversification. Based on current run rate, membership revenue is anticipated to achieve target for the full year, providing a stable and predictable income stream that underpins the Hub's operational sustainability.
Rental Revenue
Year to date, the Hub's four offices have been fully-tenanted. Despite the imminent departure of Zitcha, Council expects that the remaining lease will be assigned to a new tenant without loss of revenue or cost to Council.
Operational Update
Efficient operations and future planning
Facilities
The AI Lab reached full utilisation as the premier venue in the region for digital/technology related programs and events. A capital project to replace HVAC equipment ($89,000) is due to be completed before year end and will address critical asset lifecycle needs, ensuring operational continuity.
Staffing
The Hub continues to operate efficiently with two FTE staff. A 12-month traineeship commenced April 2025, providing career pathways while supporting operations.
Capital Planning
Following the HVAC project, a Capital Expenditure Plan will be developed in FY26 to forecast future renewals, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Looking Ahead
Outlook for 2026
Sector Outlook
FY26 will continue focusing on AI adoption across business, government, and education, while preparing for adjacent technologies such as spatial computing and robotics. Demand for reskilling and AI literacy is expected to rise as automation impacts regional employment patterns.
Program Expansion
The Hub anticipates expanding its partnerships and program reach, strengthening its role as Queensland's leading regional centre for AI education, innovation, and digital industry collaboration.
Facility Expansion
The Hub's consistent operation at full capacity has highlighted the clear need for physical expansion to maintain momentum and meet the growing demand from the community. To address this, the Hub is actively exploring a strategic public-private partnership with a foundational member of the digital ecosystem to develop an adjacent site into an integrated extension of the Hub precinct.
This potential next phase would not only increase the Hub's physical footprint but also deepen its capacity to support high-growth sectors like AI and robotics, creating more high-value jobs and attracting further private investment to the Noosa region. During 2026, Council will focus on advancing these discussions and undertaking preliminary planning to assess the viability of this exciting opportunity for the Hub's next chapter.
Social Return on Investment
$4.8M annual value creation validated
Social Return on Investment, or SROI, is recognised as the most effective way to measure the social and economic value created. It captures the full breadth of benefits to the community and economy, translating them into a return on investment figure.
The Hub's 2021 SROI evaluation, conducted independently by Vaxa Group, found that the Peregian Digital Hub generated $4.8 million in annual social and economic value for the Noosa Shire. This included the creation of 41.5 jobs, the development of new digital products valued at over $7.8 million, and measurable community benefits in skills, education, and innovation. Based on Council's operating investment of roughly net -$150k at that time, this represents a very strong return on investment.
Since 2021, the Hub's expanded program suite, AI Lab activation, and growth in memberships and business engagement indicate that this value has increased substantially. A new SROI evaluation in 2026 will quantify this uplift and provide updated evidence of the Hub's contribution to Noosa's economy and community.
$4.8M
Annual value created (2021 SROI)
41.5
Jobs created
$7.8M
Digital products developed
A refreshed SROI evaluation in 2026 will quantify the substantial growth since 2021.