University partners with YBF for co-working tech hub
The University of Melbourne has announced a partnership with tech hub experts YBF to power a new co-working space that will operate within Melbourne Connect.
The coworking tech hub will sit over two levels of the precinct stretching across 2,200 square-metres and offering a selection of flexible private offices, dedicated desks, meeting rooms, project spaces, media studios and event spaces, creating a world-class tech hub––in the spirit of YBF’s other hubs in the Melbourne and Sydney CBDs—located in the heart of iconic Carlton and right on the doorstep on the University’s Parkville campus and Medical Precinct.
University of Melbourne Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Mark Hargreaves said having this co-working tech hub located amongst researchers, startups, SME’s, and the many other partners within the precinct would be important to achieving the vision of creating a vibrant innovation ecosystem.
“We know how critical co-location is to innovation and equally important is our ability to create a diverse community and culture of collaboration. We see this space playing a key role in helping achieve these objectives and ensuring Melbourne Connect becomes a leading precinct in this country.
“Our vision is for Melbourne Connect to create a digital and data powerhouse with an emerging tech focus and this needs to extend to every corner of this precinct which is why we’ve chosen to partner with YBF who have a proven track-record of building tech hubs for startups, scaleups and corporates at the forefront of innovation and are a renowned leader in this space.”
Farley Blackman, CEO of YBF said, “As Melbourne rebuilds in a post-pandemic economy, YBF will continue to play a vital role in providing a platform for tech entrepreneurs, startups and scaling companies, and innovative corporates. We’re thrilled to be working with Australia’s top-ranked university and look forward to building out YBF Melbourne Connect as a thriving tech-focused community offering YBF’s unique suite of values-based capabilities and services in the Melbourne Connect innovation precinct.
“Partnerships like this, that bring together Victoria’s world-class operators, who deeply understand the challenges and opportunities that exist, are core to ongoing performance and will underpin Melbourne’s and Victoria’s innovation agenda, solidifying the state’s position as a centre of technology.”
Those operating from within the precinct will be surrounded by some of Australia’s most outstanding emerging entrepreneurial talents with the Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP) and Translating Research at Melbourne (TRAM) moving their renowned startup programs to Melbourne Connect.
The precinct will also feature the Telstra Creator Space, two floors filled with 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines & power tools with access to expert machinists to guide use of equipment, as well as offering retail, childcare, and a 3,000 square metre superfloor shared meeting and events space, which will be activated by a dedicated events and engagement team.
The entire Melbourne Connect space boasts smart and sustainable design – it has a 6-star Green Star rating, a 4.5-star NABRS water rating, a 5-star NABRS energy rating and employs on-site rainwater harvesting as well as solar and geothermal energy.
The co-working tech hub will open its doors in late-2021 and is currently touring potential residents through the space with the precinct now accessible to the public.