'whole eco-system' of skills and innovation on offer

Hull’s new tech and innovation hot spot has opened.

The Edge Hub, brought forward by Tech Week Humber founder Antonio Tombanane and city property developer Shaun Larvin, has transformed a long-vacant building opposite Hull’s Bonus Arena, providing a contemporary co-working location with substantial event space.

The £500,000 investment, backed with Levelling Up cash, launched as part of Humber Business Week, with this year’s Tech Week Humber also previewed as part of a packed day of insight.

Mr Tombanane, who has championed the digital community in the city and beyond, said 10 new jobs have been created at the three-storey central location, with bootcamp provider Makers joining the team, while heavyweight partners Google, IBM, Microsoft and Amazon also on board.

“I am very excited and really happy with it. It has been two years of hard work to get to where we are,” Mr Tombanane said. “This hub is for everyone to access within our region, with upskilling opportunities, space for innovation and ideas, and co-working space.

“Welcoming more than 100 guests to the launch really shows the demand for this in Hull.

“We are very pleased to have some really big partners, we have a great relationship with the local authority, having had a successful bid into the Levelling Up Fund of £186,000, so there’s been a lot of support from the region and we’re delighted to be creating employment.”

Business support and mentoring is also on the agenda, with a wider embrace of the commercial sphere. “You don’t have to be in tech to be part of this community,” he stressed.

Mr Larvin, behind Hull’s Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, told how a “whole eco-system” was being provided beyond the bricks, mortar and interior design that wowed guests providing a relaxed working environment.

Underlining the relationship between the public and private sector to realise it, Cllr Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council was invited to cut the ribbon.

He said: “The team here has done a fantastic job. They inherited a real shell of a building that was in quite a state.

“This now provides a training focus and engine room for innovation for the city and region. I hope it will be part of the growth of the city and the economy for many years to come. It will be bringing the big tech companies to Hull from elsewhere in the UK and around the globe, bringing their experience, while giving training support to people and businesses here. It will put Hull on the map once again, help move the city forward, and I look forward to seeing how it develops.”

This year’s Tech Week Humber event will be hosted at The Edge Hub. “Now we have our own home I have big plans for this year,” Mr Tombanane added.