Innovation showcase highlights breadth of R&D already in Fishermans Bend
Earlier this week the FB IDEAs Hub was packed with talented people, big ideas and a sense of what is possible when place-based innovation networks converge. The room was a buzzing, showing the breadth and depth of innovation already here in Fishermans Bend and highlighting the potential for future economic growth.
Engineering the unknown: De-risking complex product development
Innovators working in uncertain and rapidly evolving environments encounter constant unknowns. Philip Oefner, founder of PCO engineering, presented how systems engineering principles applied from the very beginning of product development help de-risk the process and minimise the cost of change.
Picture-perfect collaboration: Emerging photographer supports startup founders
A pop-up photo studio landed last week at the FB IDEAs Hub. The collaboration with Rob Coupe from Rachael Michelle brought flashing lights and smiling eyes with it.
When neighbours step in: Practical hands-on support keeps battery innovation running
This is what can happen in an innovation space: Startups preventing downtime of critical equipment through hands-on collaboration.
Structured product development enables innovation
The lunch & learn with CRINNAC took participants along the way of a structured product development process - from concept to creation.
Smart ways to access the Research & Development Tax Incentive
Good news for founders & innovators: There is a way to turn research & development activities into cash or tax savings - Noah Connect shared fundamentals of the R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI), highlighting eligibility, practical considerations and how it can support innovation.
Matching projects with capital: Exploring new approaches to funding access
An emerging funding platform concept sparked engaged discussion on how technology, networks and structured business cases can help connect projects with the right funding partners.
ELIoT Energy and the village raising a startup
Last week ELIoT Energy, a Hub member and project partner, presented the outcomes of their smart battery trials which enabled the startup to prototype solutions and connected businesses in Fishermans Bend to reduce both carbon emissions and costs.
Federal Opportunities and how to access them
The lunch & learn with HYPSO explained who is who of federal government agencies and entities, where contract opportunities arise, what to be prepared for - and highlighted the Commonwealth’s equivalent of a cheat sheet.
De-risking medtech innovation - balancing technical achievements and commercial viability
Medtech innovators came together to join in on Octive Consulting’s lunch & learn session on how to de-risk medtch using the GAITS framework.
AgTech Bootcamp seeds opportunities & connections
Farmers2Founders joined FB IDEAs and invited innovators and entrepreneurs to explore AgTech opportunities on a day full of knowledge exchange and networking.
UpSol’s Major Breakthrough in Commercial & Industrial Energy Storage
Celebrating business success with Hub member Upsol - Recent deployments proving the concept of running a social enterprise as a business!
Showcasing innovation, collaboration and community
To wrap up the year and celebrate the achievements of the pilot, FB IDEAs hosted a Showcase event at the FB IDEAs Hub. It was an opportunity to showcase some of the projects and innovators we have supported throughout the pilot, but it also showcased the ethos of FB IDEAs and our role in Fishermans Bend: seeding innovation + activating place + fostering collaboration + building momentum.
2025 Reflections: an exciting year at the FB IDEAs Hub
Looking back at a full year in the FB IDEAs Hub - filled with innovation, collaboration and a growing community.
Enhancing building performance: Tackling heat loss with high-efficiency window inserts
Dr. Yakov Elgart from ESI presented the FB IDEAs supported study on thermal performance improvements in existing buildings. Modelling retrofitted window inserts, ESI showed significant reductions in heat loss and energy use.
Advanced engineering at its finest: Digital twins and Functional Mock-up Units
Systems thinking and functional digital twins not only for hybrid and prototype electric vehicles were presented by Hub member PCO engineering in a captivating lunch & learn session - with a view of how they can be relevant and scaled for startups.
Materials choices for mass manufacturing preparedness
Materials and technology choices can make all the difference when moving from proof-of-concept to manufacturing. Hub member Andrew Jack provided critical insights into the process - setting startups up for success in physical products development.
A Story of Glue, Bluestone and Participation: Designing for non-typical stakeholders
Studio MK presented how non-typical stakeholders can be given a voice in the planning of public spaces, exploring opportunities and challenges on the example of two city-shaping projects
Art + Engineering: Unlocking New Forms of Collaboration in Fishermans Bend
Last month, creativity and innovation met in a spirited conversation that explored what happens when artists and engineers collaborate to shape new ways of thinking.
ELIoT Energy and Equoia at the CivVic Labs EnergyTech Challenge Showcase!
Come see ELIoT Energy and Equoia showcase their smart batteries and mobile renewable energy solutions at the CivVic Labs Energy Tech Showcase on 20 November 2025, Melbourne Town Hall — and celebrate the innovators turning ideas into real-world impact.