The Macquarie Park Innovation District (MPID) will invest heavily into one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions to collaborate and create innovative solutions to local & global problems.
- Inspired by innovation districts around the world, MPID has the potential to become Australia’s own globally-recognised centre for innovation.
- Building on the strengths of both Macquarie University and industry founders, MPID will drive innovative solutions in health and pharmaceuticals, bio- and digital tech as well as business & commerce.
- Comprised of over 180 multinational and 200 small-to-medium-sized businesses, a teaching hospital, a world-class university and over 85,000 employees and students - the scale and diversity of MPID is unparalleled in Australia.
Macquarie Park-based businesses - Optus, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, KonicaMinolta, NAB and AMP Capital – along with Macquarie University, today announced the launch of the Macquarie Park Innovation District (MPID).
MPID will be a world-class, collaborative ecosystem - where researchers, entrepreneurs and some of the world’s most-recognised businesses come together to incubate creativity and find unique solutions to global and community issues.
“The University and key Macquarie Park businesses realise the real, unmet potential of the area to become one of Australia’s foremost innovation centres,” said Professor David Wilkinson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Engagement and Advancement), Macquarie University.
“With so much talent clustered together in one area it made perfect sense to come together to help drive the vitality of the district and harness new ideas. Ultimately for us, it’s about making the district a great place to not only work and innovate, but also to live and learn.
“We plan to invest heavily in infrastructure, innovation programs and incubation over the next five years. We also welcome Commonwealth, State and local government support to help realise the potential of MPID as a truly world-class innovation district for Australia,” Professor Wilkinson continued.
The MPID growth strategy is based on existing Macquarie Park infrastructure, with enabling elements including entrepreneurship and start-up support, collaboration and community spaces and, most importantly, innovative events programming.
“As a leading employer and technology innovator in the Macquarie Park precinct it is critical for the corporate, education and government sectors to collaborate and engage on the development of technology and its practical use now and in the future. As we grow, we will continue to add activities and infrastructure to facilitate collaboration - including, for example, the Business Innovation Centre set to open this year, a potential driverless shuttle-bus service, SMART cafes in the area, hackathons and partnerships with international innovation districts. From a technology focus, Cyber Security, the Internet of Things and Smart Cities are also a priority,” said Optus Business Managing Director, John Paitaridis.
Several renowned innovation districts across the globe were looked at, translating insights to the local Macquarie Park context, including the Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Israel; Singapore; and the Cortex Innovation District, St Louis, United States.
“The State Government is excited by the potential of MPID as Sydney’s - and the nation’s - premier innovation hub, which will attract, and retain, world-class organisations and talent to the region, and help to facilitate an environment of excellence and collaboration right on our door step,” said The Hon. Victor Michael Dominello MP, Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation.
“Strongly aligned with the Government’s innovation agenda, I look forward to seeing how the District inspires and benefits the local and wider community.”
About MPID
- Macquarie Park Innovation District is made up of 180 multinational enterprises, 200 small and medium-sized enterprises, Macquarie University and Macquarie University Hospital.
- Covering more than 350 hectares, the district has three train stations, is less than 30 minutes from Sydney CBD, and 45 minutes from Sydney Airport – with reasonable commuting options for more than half of Sydney’s residents.
- Macquarie Park is a thriving locale set to double in size in the next 20 years to become Australia’s fourth largest CBD, with concurrent residential and retail growth.
