Thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government, the Cremorne Digital Hub has entered a new phase of development, further enhancing Victoria’s position as a key global destination for technology and innovation.
By appointing a new CEO and board, the Hub is committed to encouraging cross-industry collaboration, growing investments, and nurturing the state’s talent and skills to strengthen its tech offering.
The Cremorne Digital Hub is the epicenter of a groundbreaking alliance, uniting industry, universities, and investors in a shared quest to revolutionise collaboration, accelerate research and skills development, and unleash untapped potential in the precinct.
Cremorne, home to successful tech companies such as Carsales.com, SEEK, REA Group, and MYOB, contributes over $4 billion to Victoria’s economy each year.
The Hub will build on Cremorne’s transformation from a manufacturing center to a hub for high-tech businesses and innovation jobs, with over 700 businesses and approximately 10,000 workers already situated in the precinct.
From this crucible of creativity and collaboration, a new wave of technological innovation is poised to sweep across Victoria, leaving in its wake a trail of stunning achievements and unimaginable possibilities.
The Cremorne Digital Hub, established with the support of the Labor Government, aims to play an active role in commercialisation by investing in new digital companies with potential to take Victorian innovation globally, through its $50 million Cremorne Venture Fund, managed by Artesian.
Mark Sims, an international business leader who previously served as COO for Hong Kong’s EdTech company Xccelerate, has been appointed CEO, while Monique Conheady, co-founder of Australia’s first carshare service Flexicar and Chair of JET Charge, leads as the inaugural Chair of the Hub.
Also joining the board are Scott Veenker, CEO of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, and Matthew Clunies-Ross, co-founder of Artesian and Boab AI.
Minister for Industry and Innovation Ben Carroll said, “Cremorne is at the heart of Victoria’s digital boom, and we’re backing the Hub to play a critical role in boosting up our tech sector and attracting more investment and jobs to Victoria.”
“We welcome Mark Sims and the other highly experienced business and tech leaders to the Cremorne board, knowing they can champion our state’s tech sector and propel Victoria to the forefront of digital innovation.” he said.
In a move that promises to ignite the flames of innovation, shareholders of Carsales.com, in tandem with investment firm Artesian and three top-tier universities – Melbourne, RMIT, and La Trobe – have united forces to develop the Cremorne Digital Hub.
With a mission to forge stronger ties between academia and industry, this dynamic partnership will unleash a surge of collaborative energy, bringing the brightest minds together in a dramatic confluence of ideas and expertise.
By tapping into the collective power of these diverse institutions, the Hub will usher in a new era of progress, propelling Victoria to the forefront of the global tech scene.
