The completion of Deakin University’s expanded $20 million ManuFutures hub will give way for collaborations with 14 emerging businesses to grow advanced manufacturing capability in regional Victoria and Australia, the university announced.
The ManuFutures building on Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus has doubled in size to accommodate more tenancy opportunities, new manufacturing incubator programs, training, and product engineering services.
The Victorian Government and Deakin University both contributed $10 million for the project as part of the government’s $350 million Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund (VHESIF) established post-COVID.
The completion of ManuFutures2 places Deakin University at the forefront of manufacturing innovation for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and established enterprises, according to Mark Curnow, regional manufacturing director at Deakin Research Innovations.
Mr Curnow highlighted the facility houses collaborative working spaces, additional rental tenancy bays for manufacturing enterprises, and an Innoveering Center with product engineering and development capability, as well as opportunities for research collaboration and integration.
“Four new manufacturing businesses have already moved into the new spaces as tenants, with room for two more. A total of 14 successful and emerging global manufacturing businesses now call Deakin’s ManuFutures home,” Mr Curnow noted.
Meanwhile, Deakin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Julie Owens said the hub has assisted in the creation of more than $1 billion in company value, incubated more than 17 advanced manufacturing start-ups, and created over 120 advanced manufacturing jobs.
Victoria’s Minister for Training and Skills, Higher Education, and Agriculture, Gayle Tierney, stated that the Victorian Government’s investment in ManuFutures will strengthen regional Victoria’s innovation, training, and industry collaboration.
