Innovation hub expands Geelong's manufacturing credentials

A nation leading innovation hub is growing its footprint in Geelong, strengthening the region’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and driving the creation of more jobs.

Deakin University’s ManuFutures 2 hub has officially opened, accelerating innovations in manufacturing where local businesses can take up tenancy and work together with university researchers to develop, field test and manufacture new products.

The new facility, which received $10 million funding from the Victorian Government, is an extension to the original ManuFutures hub which opened in 2018. It has since produced innovations such as the world’s lightest and strongest carbon fibre road bike wheels and smart sensors to improve water management on farms.

ManuFutures 2 tenants can access product engineering services, incubator programs and spaces for training and industry collaboration. Tenants include paint recycling initiative Paintback, textile and coating technologies manufacturer Xefco and lithium sulfur battery producer Li-S.

ManuFutures 2 will strengthen Victoria’s status as a global leader in innovation and advanced manufacturing by training the next generation of workers and supporting startups and businesses that continually transform their product offering and lead the way.

Supporting ManuFutures 2 is one of many initiatives aimed at boosting the state’s international reputation as a destination for manufacturing investment, research and global talent.

The Victorian Government is investing in local R&D capabilities and advanced manufacturers with the Made in Victoria –  Industry R&D Infrastructure Fund and the Manufacturing and Industry Sovereignty Fund.