BOQ and River City Labs team up to tackle innovation
BOQ and River City Labs Team up to Tackle Innovation
Advancing Queensland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and startup community
BOQ has partnered with the premiere Brisbane-based technology hub and accelerator, River City Labs (RCL), to grow and support the fin-tech and startup communities in Queensland, by cementing a two-year corporate partnership.
Donna-Maree Vinci, Group Executive and Chief Operations, Digital and Information Officer (CxO) at BOQ, said the two-year deal signifies the growing link between corporates and the startup community which will ultimately benefit customers by enhancing their banking experience while providing new experience for staff.
“BOQ is a firm friend of RCL and this mutually beneficial partnership will formally connect startups with our people across the group. In working side-by-side with RCL members, our people will actively contribute to Australia’s innovation community.”
“The new opportunities this partnership presents for BOQ can’t be understated and we are excited about this new chapter with RCL. While gaining the opportunity to provide our customers with innovative banking solutions and new age services, our people will also benefit from new insights and immersive experiences, such as a newly created RCL out-turn program.”
As out-turn participants, experienced BOQ employees are partnered with startups requiring a specific skill or knowledge set. BOQ employees participating in this program, work one day a week with the startup over a 12 week period, stimulating new thinking and a startup culture for BOQ. Residential space at RCL has been taken by the bank further increasing access between BOQ and the startup community.
Peta Ellis, CEO of River City Labs said, “It’s positive to see corporations such as BOQ who we have worked with for more than five years, increase their commitment to the sector and River City Labs in particular. We welcome BOQ as an official corporate partner, this exclusive partnership will allow RCL to implement further programs and solutions for our start-up community. As a resident at RCL, the partnership with BOQ is already delivering benefits with a small team currently developing a creative new business idea, demonstrating just how quickly this partnership is fostering new thinking”.
RCL members will have exclusive access to suitable BOQ products, services and expertise under the bank’s commitment to ethical startup banking.
In addition to implementing capability and culture programs with the regional bank, RCL will proactively connect BOQ with its member entrepreneurs to develop new business opportunities and advance the bank’s Digital and Innovation agenda.
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For more information contact:
BOQ Natasha Adamsas, Corporate Affairs | 0401 078 780
About River City Labs
River City Labs is Brisbane's premier technology startup hub and central club-house for tech startups. It's a not-for-profit organisation aimed at fostering Queensland's startup ecosystem. Current membership sits at over 100 members ranging from early stage start-ups and founders, to established start-ups and entrepreneurs who have successfully raised capital in the last 18 months. River City Labs focuses on providing the right environment for entrepreneurs to make valuable contacts while learning from peers, mentors and industry experts who help them connect, work and grow.
About Bank of Queensland
BOQ is one of Australia’s leading regional banks and is one of the few still not owned by one of the big banks. This means we offer a genuine alternative to anyone looking for a full range of personal and business banking services. We’ve been doing business since 1874 and pride ourselves on building long-term customer relationships that are based on mutual respect and understanding. Our relationship model is supported by simple, easy-to-understand banking products to help meet our customers’ financial needs. BOQ is one of the top 100 companies ranked by market capitalisation on the Australian Securities Exchange and are regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority as an Authorised Deposit-taking Institution.