A space dedicated to collaboration between technology entrepreneurs and researchers has opened at the University of Sydney.
The Sydney Knowledge Hub is a membership-based co-working space for organisations with high-impact research at the heart of their work. It aims to develop pathways for startups, enterprise and non-profits to work more collaboratively with the University without a formal agreement.
Beginning operations this month to commence its pilot year, the Sydney Knowledge Hub is located on level two of the Merewether Building on the University’s Camperdown campus. The building has been restructured by Cox architects to accommodate the Hub.
The head of the Hub, Rupal Ismin, said that it will allow early-stage organisations to work hand-in-hand with the University through access to its community of experts and research facilities that may otherwise be out of reach for them.
“We aim to streamline access to the capabilities and instruments of the University in areas such as cytometry [measurement of the properties of cells], microscopy, and bioinformatics, in order to support organisations throughout their commercialisation journey,” said Ismin.
“The Australian startup landscape has come a long way in the last decade in nurturing innovative ideas with business and financial support; I believe that access to these critical tools and knowledge will help move the dial to create a science-based innovation hub that works in concert with other spaces in Sydney like Cicada Innovations and CSIRO’s Linfield Collaboration Hub.”
NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, who is presenting at the Hub’s inaugural event said that small companies with big ideas are important to the state.
“By encouraging their close collaboration with research, and even government, we ensure a flourishing entrepreneurial environment that will deliver great outcomes for NSW,” he said.
In the Hub’s pilot year participants are likely to include organisations with a current tie to the university, including current PhD students commercialising their startup.
“Our first year will be all about testing, learning and reacting to members’ needs. Our inaugural members will help develop and improve the space,” said Ismin.