Fishermans Bend Innovation Diversity Experimentation and Activation

What Fishermans Bend Innovation Diversity Experimentation and Activation does

FB IDEAs is a not-for-profit innovation precinct organization founded in 2023 and headquartered at the FB IDEAs Hub, Level 1, 650 Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne, within the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area. It operates as a place-based intermediary between industry, startups, entrepreneurs, academia, government, landowners, developers, and community, providing free co-working space, grant funding, partnerships, in-kind support, networking, and showcase events to help businesses and projects establish and grow in the precinct. Its primary beneficiaries are early-stage companies in advanced manufacturing, engineering, design, clean technology, circular economy, quantum computing, and creative industries, alongside government stakeholders pursuing urban renewal outcomes.

The organization's offering is a portfolio of programs rather than a single product. Core programs include the FB IDEAs Incubator and Innovation Hub, the Cleantech PowerOn Incubator (delivered with the Victorian Clean Tech Cluster), the Circular Design Collective (with Gamuda Land Australia), the Gladstone Creative in Residence Space (with Greystar), the Startup Factory (with Space Tank Studios), and the Fishermans Bend Digital Innovation Challenge. It also supports ~25 named innovation projects spanning additive manufacturing, quantum literacy, regenerative fuel cells, smart batteries, micromobility, and biodiversity. FB IDEAs does not develop proprietary technology; its core capability is curating, funding, and activating programs across a multi-stakeholder ecosystem.

FB IDEAs is incorporated as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee (Fishermans Bend Innovation Diversity Experimentation Activation Ltd) under the legal name FISHERMANS BEND INNOVATION DIVERSITY EXPERIMENTATION ACTIVATION LTD, domiciled in Victoria, Australia. It is private, has no parent or subsidiaries, and reports no funding rounds or M&A activity. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and is sustained through Victorian Government and City of Melbourne grants, partner in-kind contributions, and prize funding (e.g., the $90,000 Digital Innovation Challenge prize). The board is chaired by Meredith Sussex AM, with operational leadership including Head of Projects, Partnership and Industry Engagement Kate Spencer.

Name

Fishermans Bend Innovation Diversity Experimentation and Activation

Legal name

FISHERMANS BEND INNOVATION DIVERSITY EXPERIMENTATION ACTIVATION LTD

Website

https://fbideas.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FB IDEAs is a Melbourne-based not-for-profit innovation precinct organization founded in 2023 that supports startups, scaleups, and creative industries in Fishermans Bend through free co-working space, grant funding, and a portfolio of incubator and challenge programs spanning clean technology, circular economy, quantum, and advanced manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovation Hub Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)

Keywords

• Innovation hub services
• Startup incubator programs
• Co-working space solutions
• Cleantech incubation programs
• Circular economy initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding and Government Support: FB IDEAs receives grant funding and government support to operate as an innovation precinct organization. They distribute funding to supported projects and businesses through grant programs.
2. Partnership and Sponsorship Revenue: The organization generates value through strategic partnerships with landowners, developers, and corporate sponsors who contribute to innovation ecosystem development in Fishermans Bend.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FB IDEAs is a place-based innovation precinct organisation that supports startups, scaleups and creative industries to establish and grow in Fishermans Bend, Melbourne. It provides free co-working space, grant funding, in-kind support and partnerships, and runs themed innovation collectives, incubator programs and open competitions spanning cleantech, advanced manufacturing, circular economy, quantum literacy and urban design.

Product overview

FB IDEAs is a place-based innovation hub and programs organisation, not a single product company. Its offering is a portfolio of programs and supported projects spanning co-working space (FB IDEAs Hub), themed innovation collectives (Circular Design Collective, Gladstone Creative in Residence Space, Construction Futures Cluster), incubator programs (Cleantech PowerOn Incubator, Startup Factory), open innovation competitions (Fishermans Bend Digital Innovation Challenge), and 25+ externally-led innovation projects it has supported since 2023. The programs collectively serve entrepreneurs, startups, creatives, researchers, and community groups working across advanced manufacturing, clean tech, circular economy, quantum computing, biodiversity, and urban design.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FB IDEAs Incubator and Innovation Hub Free co-working hub offering hotdesks, meeting rooms and small team space for startups and scale-ups in advanced manufacturing, engineering and design who are establishing or growing in Fishermans Bend.
• Circular Design Collective Collaborative space in an underutilised Fishermans Bend warehouse hosting startups, designers and creative practitioners working on circular economy initiatives, including pop-up retail and Innovators in Residence.
• The Gladstone Creative in Residence Space Artist in Residence and Gallery program at The Gladstone offering rent-free retail space and promotional support for artists working with Fishermans Bend residents and the broader community.
• Construction Futures Cluster Initiative showcasing innovative prototypes and solutions to support more sustainable futures in the construction and built environment sectors.
• Cleantech PowerOn Incubator & Showcase Victoria's first dedicated clean technology incubator program supporting cleantech startups and scaleups to develop and commercialise new products and services from Fishermans Bend, culminating in the annual Victorian Cleantech Showcase.
• Startup Factory Manufacturing-based incubator developed with Space Tank Studios to foster ideation, prototyping and commercialisation of physical products and technologies, lowering barriers to entry through affordable space and resources.
• Fishermans Bend Digital Innovation Challenge Open innovation competition run with City of Melbourne to surface bold, ground-breaking ideas to be piloted in Fishermans Bend, with the winning entry receiving funding to develop and pilot their smart city solution in the precinct.
• Quokka Quantum Program Program supporting quantum literacy in Fishermans Bend by hosting the International Quantum Game Jam and providing community access to the Quokka 30-qubit quantum computing platform developed by Eigensystems, in partnership with SAE University College.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported 100+ events since 2023
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• City of MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024City of Melbourne is the project lead for the Fishermans Bend Digital Innovation Challenge, an open competition to support innovation and collaboration seeking bold ideas to be piloted in Fishermans Bend. FB IDEAs supports this project and works with the winning team to secure sites for piloting innovative solutions.
• Victorian GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024Victorian Government is a key partner in the Fishermans Bend Digital Innovation Challenge, contributing to the $90,000 prize and supporting innovation in the precinct.
• ReGen MelbournesecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024Partner in the Fishermans Bend Digital Innovation Challenge 2024, providing expertise in regenerative city concepts.
• 25eightsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 18 April 2024Education and training experts providing 1:1 mentoring to challenge finalists to prepare their pitches for Pitch Night.
• Finding InfinitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in The Plus Prototype project - a plus energy, zero carbon construction prototype demonstrating future net-zero building code possibilities. Finding Infinity leads the project vision.
• Building 4.0 CRCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative Research Centre partner in The Plus Prototype project, leveraging collective knowledge and research for net-zero building demonstrations.
• Victorian Clean Tech ClustercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry network dedicated to supporting companies researching, developing, commercializing and promoting clean technology solutions. Based at FB IDEAs Hub, delivering Cleantech Power On Incubator program and Victorian Cleantech Showcase.
• Agency ProjectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nation's owned and led cultural organization working with FB IDEAs to bring UNTOLD program to Fishermans Bend - a series of Indigenous-led gatherings celebrating art, design, innovation, culture and Country.
• Space Tank StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing Startup Factory - a manufacturing-based incubator in Fishermans Bend to foster ideation, prototyping, and commercialization of physical products and technologies.
• EigensystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of Quokka - a hybrid cloud and 30-qubit Edge Quantum Computing platform. Partner in supporting quantum literacy and hosting the International Quantum Game Jam in Fishermans Bend.
• SAE University College MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner hosting the Australian node of the 10th International Quantum Game Jam at Fishermans Bend.
• Quokka QuantumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject supporting quantum literacy in Fishermans Bend and hosting the International Quantum Game Jam, putting quantum computing in the hands of the community.
• NTRO (National Transport Research Organisation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in e-Micromobility Trial, partnering to trial electric bikes and scooters and invest in supporting infrastructure for sustainable transport in Fishermans Bend.
• microFleetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in e-Micromobility Trial providing electric micromobility solutions being trialed in Fishermans Bend.
• Gamuda Land AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Fishermans Bend Circular Design Collective, making underutilized warehouse space available for startups, designers and creative practitioners working on circular economy initiatives.
• GreystarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Gladstone Creative in Residence program, providing rent-free retail space for up to 6 months and promotional support for artists in residence at The Gladstone.
• Breakthrough VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Investing for Impact' events and programs, supporting innovation investment in Victoria and Fishermans Bend through panel discussions and knowledge sharing.
• Kite MagneticssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortfolio company of Breakthrough Victoria, sharing insights on lightweight motor technology and journey as an early-stage company raising capital.
• Equinix AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost partner for Fishermans Bend CTO & CIO Forum, bringing together technology leaders from businesses across different sectors in Fishermans Bend.
• The TimberYardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner hosting the Australian Cleantech Showcase event at their Fishermans Bend location.
• Siemens MobilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and manufacturing partner collaborating with Pelican Studios on Mira Solar Orchid project - a public artwork combining artistic vision with cutting-edge engineering.
• Pelican StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative partner developing Mira Solar Orchid project with Siemens Mobility - a kinetic steel sculpture with solar panels exploring art-engineering collaboration.
• JET ChargesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFishermans Bend innovator exploring integrated renewable energy, battery and EV Charging solutions for the precinct.
• Advanced Composite Structures Australia (ACS-A)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFishermans Bend innovator with composite materials expertise applied to diverse projects with cleantech applications.
• World BanksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in strategic partnership supported by Australian DFAT, hosting Vietnamese government delegation for knowledge sharing around digital innovation and data governance.
• Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting strategic partnership with World Bank for international knowledge sharing on digital innovation.
• Curtin UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinating team for Vietnamese government delegation visit for digital innovation knowledge sharing.
• Fishermans Bend TaskforcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVictorian Government body coordinating urban renewal and innovation in Fishermans Bend, partnered in hosting delegation tours.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stone & Chalk: Australian non-profit innovation hub network operating co-working and accelerator spaces for startups across fintech, healthtech and emerging tech. Directly comparable to FB IDEAs as a place-based innovation precinct organization providing co-working space, events and partner networks.
• Impact Hub Melbourne: Melbourne-based member of the global Impact Hub network offering co-working space, programs and community for purpose-driven startups and innovators. Directly comparable to FB IDEAs as a community-led innovation hub in Melbourne with co-working, events and a mission focus.
• Cicada Innovations: Australia's leading deep-tech incubator based in Sydney, supporting science and engineering startups with lab facilities, programs and industry connections. Comparable to FB IDEAs as a mission-driven innovation hub running structured incubator programs and convening industry-academia-government partners.
• Area 53: Fishermans Bend-based advanced manufacturing lab and accelerator space currently co-locating with FB IDEAs Hub during renovations. Direct precinct-level peer offering prototyping and accelerator services to hardware and deep-tech startups.
• Victorian Clean Tech Cluster: Industry cluster co-located at FB IDEAs Hub and operator of the Cleantech PowerOn Incubator. A close operating peer given it is embedded within FB IDEAs, supporting cleantech startups with commercialization programs and showcase events.

Broad incumbents

• LaunchVic: Victorian Government-backed startup agency funding accelerators, programs and infrastructure across the state. Comparable to FB IDEAs as a publicly-funded innovation ecosystem builder in Victoria, though operating statewide rather than precinct-based.
• Monash Technology Precinct / Monash Innovation Labs: University-led innovation precinct in Melbourne's southeast running incubator programs and industry partnerships across deep tech, medtech and manufacturing. Comparable to FB IDEAs as a Victorian innovation precinct operator, though anchored to a university rather than a government urban renewal zone.

Regional players

• BioCurate: University of Melbourne and Monash-backed biotech pre-incubator based in Melbourne. Adjacent peer in the Victorian innovation ecosystem focused on commercializing academic research, overlapping with FB IDEAs' academic-industry convening role but in a single vertical (biotech).
• City of Sydney Innovation and Technology team: Local government-led innovation and place activation programs in Sydney's tech precincts (e.g., Haymarket, Surry Hills). Comparable to FB IDEAs as a publicly-mandated innovation/place-making operator, but serving Sydney rather than Melbourne's Fishermans Bend.

Emerging players

• Startupbootcamp (Australia): Global accelerator network with Australian programs supporting startups across verticals. Comparable to FB IDEAs as an early-stage accelerator offering structured programs, mentor networks and demo events, though typically more selective/cohort-driven.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fbideas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fishermans Bend Innovation Diversity Experimentation and Activation