Renew Adelaide
Renew Adelaide is a not-for-profit founded in 2010 that connects Adelaide CBD property owners with emerging entrepreneurs, offering rent-free commercial licences that have launched over 300 ventures and graduated 61% to paying leases.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersAdelaide, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Renew Adelaide does
Renew Adelaide is an Adelaide-based not-for-profit organisation founded in 2010 that operates a rent-free commercial space activation programme. It connects property owners with vacant or underutilised tenancies in the Adelaide CBD to emerging entrepreneurs, providing flexible 30-day rolling licence agreements (up to 12 months fixed) that allow ventures to test retail, hospitality, creative, service and office concepts without long-term lease commitments. The organisation is led by CEO Gianna Murphy and supported by a small team (1-10 employees), operating from the Epworth Building on Pirie Street. Since inception, Renew Adelaide has launched more than 300 ventures across categories including fashion, hospitality, publishing, galleries, digital arts and bistro concepts; in FY25 alone it introduced 18 new concepts and achieved a 61% graduation rate to commercial rent-paying leases.
The core product is a managed marketplace rather than a technology platform: Renew Adelaide holds the head licence with property owners and sub-licences spaces to ventures, handling inspections, shortlisting, compliance navigation and activation support. The technology stack is described as not applicable — there is no app, API or proprietary software product, with the website serving primarily as an application and information portal (built by creative agency Divide). Ventures receive ancillary benefits including $20m public liability and plate glass insurance, marketing exposure via 38,000+ social followers and a 4,000+ mailing list, and access to pro bono business advisory (Bentleys, since 2011) and legal services (Cowell Clarke, since 2012). Renew Adelaide does not charge ventures or property owners; instead, it is funded through in-kind commercial rent donations ($427.3k in FY25) and financial contributions from government partners (Adelaide Economic Development Agency, City of Adelaide, Government of South Australia) and corporate partners ($118.2k in FY25). Its commercial real estate channel includes CBRE, JLL, Knight Frank, Adelaide Arcade, Myer Centre and the Adelaide Central Markets Authority.
Customer segments are two-sided: emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners (including a deliberate First Nations segment built via The Circle partnership, where 18% of FY25 ventures were Aboriginal-owned versus a 1% national average), and property owners/landlords seeking activation of vacant assets. Its go-to-market is community-led — a public Expression of Interest database (1,300+ entries in FY25, up 34% YoY) is matched to available spaces, supplemented by social media callouts, launch events and the FY25-debuted 'Westbound' micro-festival (2,000 attendees). The programme is geographically restricted to Adelaide CBD and has no stated plans to expand beyond South Australia.
Renew Adelaide firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Renew Adelaide
- Legal name
- Renew Adelaide
- Website
- https://renewadelaide.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Renew Adelaide is a not-for-profit founded in 2010 that connects Adelaide CBD property owners with emerging entrepreneurs, offering rent-free commercial licences that have launched over 300 ventures and graduated 61% to paying leases.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Renew Adelaide industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Property Activation Services
- NAICS
- Nonresidential Property Managers (531312)
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Urban Renewal, Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reuse (BPAIANAI)
Keywords
Where Renew Adelaide is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Adelaide
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Renew Adelaide business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Property Partner Donations: Property partners (owners, agents, developers) donate vacant spaces to the programme at no cost. The spaces are then provided rent-free to emerging ventures. Renew Adelaide receives no direct revenue from this; the model is supported by funding partners.
- Funding from Government and Corporate Partners: Renew Adelaide operates as a not-for-profit, funded by strategic partners including the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA), City of Adelaide, and corporate partners who provide financial contributions. In FY25, property partners contributed $427.3k in commercial rent donations and corporate partners provided $118.2k in industry contributions.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Renew Adelaide product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Renew Adelaide operates a rent-free space activation program that connects emerging entrepreneurs with vacant commercial properties in the Adelaide CBD. Property owners donate untenanted spaces, which Renew Adelaide sub-licences to vetted ventures on flexible terms (30-day rolling or up to 12-month agreements), enabling small businesses to test concepts in retail, hospitality, gallery, studio, or office locations before committing to a commercial lease. The organisation provides activation management, compliance navigation, and access to pro bono business advisory, legal, and marketing support from corporate partners.
Product overview
Renew Adelaide is a not-for-profit organisation that operates a rent-free space activation program connecting emerging businesses with vacant commercial properties. The core offering consists of the Renew Adelaide Program, which provides rent-free licence agreements allowing ventures to test their concepts in physical retail, hospitality, gallery, studio, and office spaces in the Adelaide CBD. Supporting this core program are the Expression of Interest (EOI) database for capturing venture inquiries, available spaces listings, an application and inspection process, and post-launch business support through corporate partners. The program is designed as a pathway for small businesses to graduate to commercial leases while property owners benefit from activated spaces and potential long-term tenants. The company does not offer a self-service software product but rather facilitates connections between ventures and property owners through a managed service model.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Renew Adelaide Rent-Free Space Program A core program that connects emerging entrepreneurs with vacant commercial properties in the Adelaide CBD on rent-free licence terms. Ventures test concepts in physical retail, hospitality, gallery, studio, or office locations under flexible agreements (30-day rolling up to 12 months fixed) before committing to a commercial lease. Property owners donate untenanted spaces to the programme and Renew Adelaide manages the entire activation process cost-neutrally, providing $20 million public liability and plate glass insurance, compliance navigation, activation support, and access to pro bono business advisory, legal, accounting, marketing, and financial planning services through corporate partners.
- Expression of Interest (EOI) Database
Quantifiable outcome
- 61% of ventures graduate from the programme onto commercial rent-paying terms
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Renew Adelaide
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Renew Adelaide technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Renew Adelaide partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Unico ZelominorEvent partner since 2023, supplying extraordinary wines and spirits at Renew Adelaide events. Based in Adelaide Hills, creates Italian-inspired beverages with focus on sustainability and First Nations acknowledgement. Their Tropo Red is described as the juiciest vino at events.
- Halls Soft DrinksminorEvent partner making and bottling soft drinks in South Australia since 1849. Relaunched their retro range in 2023. Provides refreshments at launch parties to keep attendees hydrated.
- Creative AuditingminorStudies Renew Adelaide's strategy, structure, and communication flow since 2021 to assess organisational creative and innovative health. Helps assess market conditions, external funding possibilities, and association membership opportunities.
- Cowell ClarkecoreProvides pro bono legal support for entrepreneurs since 2012. Specialises in commercial law including business structuring, corporate entities and trusts, dispute resolution, and employment advice. Prepares licence agreement documents at no cost to ventures or property owners.
- Bentleys South AustraliacoreProvides pro bono business and financial advisory services to emerging ventures since 2011. Expertise in business structure and establishment, costing and pricing, budgets and cash flow models, bookkeeping, and compliance.
- The Circle First Nations Entrepreneur HubcoreFirst Nations entrepreneurs hub providing business support to 200+ majority Aboriginal-owned businesses in South Australia. Renew Adelaide helps members graduate to brick-and-mortar spaces. In FY25, 3 new Aboriginal-owned concepts (18%) were launched in collaboration, compared to 1% national average.
- Committee for AdelaideminorBrings together businesses, industry bodies, community and government to shape Greater Adelaide's future. Non-partisan, independent, and sector agnostic. Membership contributes to South Australia's economy and society.
- Coopers BreweryminorEvent sponsor and South Australian icon. Largest Australian-owned brewery. Provides beverages for launch parties and events, supporting the celebration of new ventures.
- Myer Centre AdelaidecoreProperty partner offering spaces as incubator for retail startups. Renew Adelaide's approach has invigorated tenancy mix on Level 2, with successful startups like Curated and Page & Turner calling the Myer Centre home. The innovative products and services have attracted more foot traffic, benefiting both the shopping centre and adjacent tenants.
- Property Council of AustraliacoreSA Executive Director Bruce Djite states Renew Adelaide plays a critical role in the CBD by facilitating mutually valuable transactions between business owners and asset owners. Supports the importance of such organisations for Adelaide's commercial property ecosystem.
- Adelaide ArcadecoreProperty partner hosting multiple Renew Adelaide ventures. Bradley Muggleton (Property & Leasing Manager) notes Renew Adelaide's unique ability to engage small local businesses and activate difficult spaces, leading to a better retail environment for all businesses in the precinct.
- CBREminorCommercial real estate partner providing access to vacant commercial properties across Adelaide for activation through the Renew Adelaide programme.
- JLLminorCommercial real estate partner providing access to vacant commercial properties across Adelaide for activation through the Renew Adelaide programme.
- Knight FrankminorCommercial real estate partner providing access to vacant commercial properties across Adelaide for activation through the Renew Adelaide programme.
- Adelaide Central Markets AuthorityminorProperty partner providing commercial spaces for activation through the Renew Adelaide programme in the Adelaide Central Market precinct.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Renew Adelaide competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Spacious: New York-based platform enabling restaurants and other operators to monetise daytime down-time by renting their spaces for short-term uses (classes, meetings, events). Comparable in repurposing underutilised commercial square footage for short-term activation.
- Renew Newcastle: Australian not-for-profit programme that pioneered the activation of vacant urban commercial spaces with emerging ventures, directly inspiring the Renew Adelaide model. Operates in Newcastle, NSW with the same rent-free licence framework and tenant mix curation approach.
- Appear Here: UK-based online marketplace connecting brands and retailers with short-term, pop-up retail space in high-footfall locations. Operates a similar matchmaking model between space owners and emerging brands, though as a for-profit platform rather than a not-for-profit intermediary.
- Meanwhile Space: UK social enterprise that brokers temporary 'meanwhile use' leases on vacant high-street and commercial properties for community and creative projects. Closest international peer in terms of mission, structure, and license-holding-and-sub-licensing model.
- Pop Up Grocer: US-based curated pop-up grocery marketplace operating in temporary retail spaces, activating vacant storefronts in select cities with emerging CPG brands. Narrowly focused on grocery/CPG but uses the same short-term activation playbook.
- Storefront: Global marketplace (acquired by Appear Here) that once operated a similar short-term retail space rental model, connecting brands with vacant street-front and mall locations on flexible terms. Comparable enabling function in the pop-up retail ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- WeWork: Global flexible workspace incumbent operating shared offices, coworking, and dedicated desks across hundreds of cities. Touches the same flexible-space / short-term-occupation demand from small businesses, but at much larger scale and for-profit structure.
Others
- Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused coworking and incubation spaces serving early-stage social enterprises and purpose-driven ventures. Overlaps with Renew Adelaide's venture support mission and provides a complementary ecosystem for graduating ventures.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Renew Adelaide social profiles
Digital presenceRenew Adelaide financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Renew Adelaide leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Renew Adelaide funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Renew Adelaide M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Renew Adelaide
What does Renew Adelaide do?
Renew Adelaide operates a rent-free space activation program that connects emerging entrepreneurs with vacant commercial properties in the Adelaide CBD. Property owners donate untenanted spaces, which Renew Adelaide sub-licences to vetted ventures on flexible terms (30-day rolling or up to 12-month agreements), enabling small businesses to test concepts in retail, hospitality, gallery, studio, or office locations before committing to a commercial lease. The organisation provides activation management, compliance navigation, and access to pro bono business advisory, legal, and marketing support from corporate partners.
Is Renew Adelaide a public or private company?
Renew Adelaide is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Renew Adelaide founded?
Renew Adelaide was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Renew Adelaide based?
Renew Adelaide is headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Renew Adelaide make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Property Partner Donations are the primary driver. The others are funding from Government and Corporate Partners.
Who are Renew Adelaide's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Spacious, Renew Newcastle, Appear Here, Meanwhile Space, Pop Up Grocer and Storefront. WeWork is listed as a broad incumbent. Impact Hub is listed as an others.
Does Renew Adelaide have an API?
No public API is recorded for Renew Adelaide.
What industry is Renew Adelaide in?
Renew Adelaide's product category is Commercial Property Activation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIANAI, Urban Renewal, Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reuse. Its NAICS code is 531312 and its SIC code is 7340.