Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District acknowledges the Wallumattagal people of the Darug nation, the traditional custodians of the land ‘Wallumatta’, which we now call Macquarie Park.
While Macquarie Park has been a place of research, industry and innovation for decades, it has been a place of special knowledge for many millennia more.
Wallumatta has always been a place of connections, where people meet at the intersection of waterways to trade, learn and exchange ideas.
We recognise Aboriginal people’s deep knowledge of and enduring relationship with this area, and pay our respects to their Elders, both past and present.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Macquarie Park is Australia’s original innovation district – from its planned start in the 1960s to co-locate industry with Macquarie University, the district is forging ahead with innovation and collaboration at its centre.
The district is a success story with:
Over 63,000 jobs and 44,000 students in the Park
• $13.6 billion in annual economic output and $700 million in R&D annually
• Home to Cochlear, Optus, Johnson & Johnson, Aristocrat and other multinational corporations
• Critical R&D infrastructure to support RNA, synthetic biology, AI and semiconductor innovations
A growing startup ecosystem underpinned by industry and research partnerships
• Over $6 billion in private capital investment pipeline across health innovation, data centres and commercial developments
Connected to northwest and Sydney CBD with three stations via the Sydney Metro
In 2024 the NSW Government confirmed the district as one of the first Transport Oriented
Development (TOD) Accelerated Precincts to boost housing supply and jobs due to its proximity to the Metro stations.
The rezoning provides the capacity for 9,600 homes and retains commercial space to grow the jobs in the district to over 100,000 jobs.
This industry prospectus outlines the strengths, capabilities, infrastructure and opportunities for industry to grow with the district and help help realise the ambitious innovation district vision.
THE DISTRICT’S UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION
KEY INDUSTRY CLUSTERS
Industry clusters in Macquarie Park include:
• Biomanufacturing MedTech
• Healthcare
• Digital & communication Industrial & defence
• Artificial intelligence (AI) & digital infrastructure
KEY RESEARCH & INNOVATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Industry clusters in Macquarie Park include:
• Macquarie University Hospital & clinical trials
Macquarie University Incubator & Deeptech Incubator
CSIRO Lindfield Collaboration Hub
• Australian Genome Foundry
RNA Research and Pilot Manufacturing Facility
Australian Hearing Hub
• Other research centres & facilities
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLED TALENT
• 63,000 employees 44,000 students at Macquarie University Proximity to TAFE NSW Meadowbank (Multi-Trades and Digital Technology Hub)
EASY ACCESS
• Less than 20 minutes to Sydney CBD
• Three Metro train stations Modernised motorways
• New bus interchange
WORLD-CLASS AMENITIES
• Macquarie Centre shopping mall
• Sydney’s greenest CBD: surrounded by Lane Cove National Park
• Macquarie University’s own green spaces and new parks and open space
Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District and Macquarie University are excited to partner and collaborate with industry to accelerate new innovations within the district.
KEY FACTS
EDUCATED + INNOVATIVE
Home to highly educated and innovative talent pool of 63,000 employees
HOME TO 26 OF WORLD’S TOP 2,000 COMPANIES
Forbes' 2025 Global 2000 List - The World's Largest Companies
#1 FOR IP
The number 1 Australian postcode for IP registrations
$13.6 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
$700 million in R&D annually
WORLD LEADING UNIVERSITY
Hosts the top 1% worldleading Macquarie University with 44,000 students from 113 countries
COMMERCIAL SPACE
Over 1.2 million square metres of space for growth
THE GARDEN CITY
Sydney’s greenest CBD, with a National Park on our doorstep
ACCESSIBLE
3 x Metro stations, city in 18 minutes and easy access to M2 Motorway
THE DISTRICT
North Sydney 15 min (Metro)
AREA 53
Chatswood 7 min (Metro)
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Macquarie Park
Macquarie University
MACQUARIE SQUARE
MACQUARIE CENTRE
MPARK BY STOCKLAND
Sydney 18 min (Metro)
MACQUARIE EXCHANGE
HEARING INNOVATION PRECINCT
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY
North Ryde Station Station
University Station
WHY MACQUARIE PARK
The district offers a dynamic environment conducive to the growth of startups, scaleups, small and medium enterprises, and established businesses. Its strategic location provides easy access to transport options such as the Metro, M2, and bus connections, while also benefiting from proximity to the university’s research and talent pool. The district has significant representation in the healthcare, biotech, medtech and pharmaceutical industries, including other deeptech sectors.
WHY MACQUARIE PARK IS THE RIGHT HOME FOR YOUR BUSINESS
TRANSPORT CONNECTIVITY
Well connected to Greater Sydney via the Sydney Metro, M2 Hills Motorway and forthcoming Precinct and Bus Interchange
ACCESS TO EXPERIENCE AND SKILLED TALENT
A rich ecosystem of talent, experience, and educational resources, including over 63K employees, 44K students, expanding primary and high
school infrastructure and proximity to new Multi-Trades and Digital Technology Hub at TAFE NSW Meadowbank.
COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY
A dynamic and supportive network is fostered through Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District’s (CMPID) role as the front door for the district. CMPID advocates, connects, promotes, partners and triages opportunities to help the district grow.
WORKSPACES OF THE FUTURE
The district offers a range of commercial and innovation spaces and facilities to support innovative workspaces including incubaotrs, research centres and deeptech labs.
AMENITY & OPEN SPACE
High-quality amenities that enhance the living and working experience, include Lane Cove National Park, Macquarie Centre - the district’s key shopping and dining destination, and new public parks.
OUR STORY
From green belt to knowledge economy, Macquarie Park’s history reveals how Australia’s original innovation district came about.
Home to farms, market gardens and orchards after European settlement, the establishment of Macquarie University in 1964 was the defining moment in our district’s history.
The ‘Stanford of the South’ was intentionally designed as an academic institution that would be surrounded by business and hi-tech industry, just like in Palo Alto, California.5
TIMELINE
Attracted by large lot sizes and interaction with research, early employers included electronic and radio pioneers.
Macquarie Centre opened in 1980, followed by new connections via the M2 Motorway and Sydney Metro.
Telecommunications giant Optus arrived in 2007, moving to a purpose-built campus, while an apartment building boom led to more people calling Macquarie Park home.
The final Metro extension, new bus interchange and RNA Pilot and Research Manufacturing Facility are all new exciting developments to look forward to in the district.
Federal Government resumes farm land to build a new university
moves to new purpose-built HQ
improving accessibility to the area
OPENS Lane Cove riverlands set aside as a national park
opens with 1,271 students
opposite Macquarie University, and grows to become one of the largest shopping centres in Australia
pioneered by CSIRO with Macquarie University at Marsfield
EPPING ROAD BUILT
WIRELESS INTERNET
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY
MACQUARIE CENTRE
JOHNSON & JOHNSON
M2 MOTORWAY OPENS
5. Frances Pollon.1990. The Book of Sydney Suburbs. Angus and Robertson Publishers,
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY PRIVATE HOSPITAL BUILT
MACQUARIE CENTRE REOPENS
after major renovations
MACQUARIE INCUBATOR OPENS
CSIRO LINDFIELD MAKER SPACE OPENS
CHRISTOPHER CASSANITI BRIDGE OPENS
connecting 5,000 new residents with Metro
MACQUARIE PARK GAZETTED AS A NEW SUBURB NAME
Optus moves HQ Macquarie Park campus OPTUS
CHATSWOOD TO EPPING RAIL LINE OPENS
CONNECT MACQUARIE PARK & NORTH RYDE LAUNCHED
AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST NON-CBD MARKET
CONNECT MACQUARIE PARK INNOVATION DISTRICT LAUNCHED
SYDNEY METRO EXTENSION FROM CHATSWOOD TO SYDENHAM OPENS
MPARK DEVELOPMENT COMPLETE
RNA PILOT & RESEARCH MANUFACTURING FACILITY OPENS
OPENING OF SYDNEY METRO EXTENSION FROM SYDENHAM TO BANSKTOWN
SYDNEY METRO NORTHWEST OPENS
MACQUARIE PARK INNOVATION DISTRICT LAUNCHED
NEXTSENSE, WOOLCOCK INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH AND AUSTRALIAN GENOME FOUNDRY EXPANSION OPEN
MACQUARIE PARK BUS INTERCHANGE & ZERO EMISSION BUS DEPOT
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY DEEPTECH INCUBATOR OPENS
REZONING
Macquarie Park was identified as an accelerated Transport Oriented Development (TOD) precinct due to its close proximity to Metro stations and key public transport interchanges, promoting walking and cycling opportunities.
This rezoning amends the planning controls for the Macquarie Park TOD Accelerated Precinct. This rezoning will provide:
GROWING TO 100,000 JOBS ACROSS THE PRECINCT
BETTER WALKING AND CYCLING CONNECTIONS TO TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACES
UP TO 14 HECTARES OF OPEN SPACE, WITH NEW OR IMPROVED PARKS AND SPORTS FIELDS
CAPACITY FOR 9,600 NEW HOME S
VIBRANT STREETS WITH NEW AMENITIES, COMMERCIAL, OFFICE AND RETAIL SPACES
AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTRIBUTIONS OF BETWEEN 3% TO 10% FOR ALL NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE PRECINCT
ACCESSIBLE
TALENTED
INNOVATIVE
COLLABORATIVE
KEY INDUSTRIES
BIOMANUFACTURING
• The district is home to leading large-scale bioinnovation and manufacturing, world leading research and cutting-edge facilities for innovation.
AstraZeneca’s manufacturing facility in the district is dedicated to the production of high-quality medicines that are exported internationally.
• The Australian Genome Foundry provides cutting-edge capabilities for synthetic biology, adjacent to the Australian Research Council for Sythethic Biology. Startups can access this space to design, build and test industrial microbes and proteins at scale.
• The NSW RNA Pilot Research & Manufacturing Facility will provide smallscale GMP production for clinical trials of new therapeutics.
Macquarie University Deeptech Incubator provides laboratory space, specialised equipment and Macquarie University technical expertise to early-stage biomedical founders.
• Companies including Aegros, Microbiogen and Ab Initio Pharma have invested significantly into cutting edge laboratories for R&D and manufacturing of products at scale.
MEDTECH
• The district has a long history when it comes to local medtech manufacturing which is headlined by Cochlear, a global medical device company specializing in implantable hearing solutions.
• Cochlear’s global headquarters and advanced manufacturing facility forms part of the The Australian Hearing Hub - a cluster of world-class researchers, specialist facilities including an anechoic chamber, and Hearing Australia’s National Acoustics Laboratory.
• Infection protection specialists Nanosonics used the district as its global headquarters and manufacturing facility.
Other companies including Saluda Medical use the district as a global R&D hub to progress their innovations.
• Global giants such as Abbott, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Smith & Nephew use the district as their Australian headquarters to progress their commercial, clinical trials and training and education centres.
HEALTHCARE
• Anchored by Macquarie University Hospital with 181 beds (comprising a 20-bed ICU), world-class surgery facilities (including surgical robots), and leading medical imaging.
Douglas Hanly Moir’s central laboratory in the district is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility is among the most advanced globally and the largest pathology lab in Australia.
• WiSE Medical and WiSE Specialist Emergency Clinic have grown their innovation private health service and clinic at the district from 2017.
The district’s proximity to current and future public hospitals within a 45-minute catchment make it a central location to access patients and customers in the healthcare space.
KEY INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRIAL & DEFENCE
• In addition to its biomanufacturing and medtech capabilities the district is also home to companies using advanced manufacturing and R&D in the industrial and defence sectors.
Memjet, a global pioneer of advanced digital printing technologies, operated an advanced manufacturing facility in the district with robotics that enable it provide solutions for defence and biotech too.
DIGITAL & COMMUNICATION
• Optus has called the district home since its move to the district in 2007. Optus is the largest private employer in the district with thousands of employees. In 2024 Optus confirmed its commitment by renewing its lease with Stockland for a further 12 years. Optus capabilities also include satellite technologies to improve connectivity.
• Other key digital and communications multinationals at the district include FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia, Schneider Electric, Canon and Konica Minolta Macquarie University’s Australian Astronomical Optics AAO facility is a world leader in astronomical instrumentational, software and research to improve telecommunications.
Macquarie University is home to two advanced semiconductor research laboratories - the Macquarie Analog Device Lab (MAD Lab) and the new Silicon Platforms Lab (SiP Lab)
• These facilities strengthen Australia’s semiconductor capabilities, and position Macquarie University to train the next generation of engineers for this critical technology sector.
• BAE, Rhode & Schwarz, CSR are just some of the other companies with a defence and industrial capability located in the district.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) & DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
• The district is booming with data centre developments and investments to provide critical and sovereign AI capability and hyperscale capability.
The district is home to existing data centres from Next DC, Macquarie Data Centres and Fujitsu
• The pipeline of data centres is expanding rapidly with six new major data centres planned at an investment value of over $5.6 billion set to provide 425MW of power including investments
from Macquarie Data Centres, NextDC, Stockland, Goodman Group and ISPT
• AI spinouts from the University are growing including Apate.ai which has signed a partnership with CommBank to prevent fraud and scammers.
The Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence at Macquarie University (AAI@MQ) helps organisations put Artificial Intelligence and Data at the centre of their capabilities to redefine how organisations create, capture, and share value.
RESEARCH STRENGTHS
The district is home to world-leading research with world-changing impact. Underpinned by Macquarie University’s Research Strategy 2035, the district is home to a range of the University’s research centres and increasingly independent research institutes. The researchers working on new breakthroughs have a focus on community and collaborative with industry to accelerate outcomes.
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES
The Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Research Centre at Macquarie University is Australia’s largest program of research into MND to extend patients’ lives and find a cure for this devastating disease and research to develop new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
A series of spinouts from this leading research have been launched in recent times. One spinout, Celosia Therapeutics, is developing advanced gene therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. In 2024 it completed one of the largest Series A raises for an Australian biotech startup, raising $16.75m to advance its program for MND.
CANCER AND ONCOLOGY
Macquarie University’s biomedical cancer research has been pivotal in the development and application of liquid biopsies to personalise melanoma treatment and together with leading interventional pulmonologists is playing a key role in a national lung cancer program aimed at improving patient outcomes. In other clinical research, the University’s Clinical Trials Unit has approximately 110 active clinical trials in oncology, testing the latest in new drugs and immunotherapies.
HEARING
The district is a global leader in hearing research and hearing healthcare. Key research includes work on the neural basis of listening to advance the design and implementation of listening technologies for hearing devices, studies of vestibular function, public health and policy aspects of hearing care and treatment, and work to reduce avoidable deafness in Aboriginal children.
SLEEP AND RESPIRATORY
The Times Higher Education ranked the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research as the top specialist sleep and respiratory health research centre in the world. The aim of the Woolcock’s respiratory research is to find better treatments for the future and reduce the burden for individuals affected. The aim of the sleep research is to increase our understanding of how sleep disorders develop, progress and how they present in each individual. The Centre for Lung Cancer Research at the Woolcock is Australia’s first centre dedicated to understanding and treating lung cancer.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Macquarie University’s research leaders are fostering mental health and resilience in the community across the lifespan, from young children all the way to older adults. Operating MindSpot, which provides free digital mental health services to adults across Australia (>30,000 Australians register for services each year). Innovative digital health programs, such as the Cool Kids Anxiety Program and the Ageing Wisely Program, provide mental health services nationally and globally.
HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND EXPERTISE
Macquarie University has diverse research in this domain, doing work on optimisation of workplace environments and expertise, increasing organisational agility and resilience, enhancing human–machine and human–AI systems, and designing VRsimulations and training. This, and other research, is applied in diverse industries including medicine and allied health.
RESEARCH INSTITUTES & CENTRES
HEARING
AUSTRALIAN HEARING HUB
Unites researchers, educators, clinicians and innovators with expertise in hearing, linguistics, audiology, speech pathology, cognitive and language sciences, psychology, nanofabrication and engineering sciences. The Australian Hearing Hub aspires to be the trusted authority and source for hearing health knowledge, advocacy, and innovation. It provides access to shared research facilities for collaborative research and located next to the global R&D manufacturing hub for Cochlear.
NEXTSENSE
A not-for-profit organisation supporting people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision across Australia. NextSense works with children, adults and their families to educate and create an individual program of care that meets their unique needs. As a registered NDIS provider, NextSense works with families and individuals to achieve their goals and potential. NextSense provides vital support for children and adults, more cochlear implants than any other service in Australia, and is a world leader for research, technology and professional education in their field.
NATIONAL ACOUSTIC LABORATORIES (NAL)
Since 1947, National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) has been leading the world in hearing research and evidence-based innovation to improve hearing health and transform the lives of people with hearing difficulties. NAL collaborates with organisations around the world to innovate novel solutions to hearing health services and technology, conduct sophisticated validation trials on treatment benefits, and provide insight into the needs of people with hearing loss and clinicians who treat them. NAL’s research findings are published in leading peer-reviewed journals and NAL’s solutions are used worldwide. Colocated at the Australian Hearing Hub.
RESEARCH INSTITUTES & CENTRES
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY (COESB)
CoESB designs and builds microbes with the goal to provide 21st century solutions to global agricultural, food production, manufacturing, healthcare and environmental challenges.
CoESB will invest heavily in developing Australia’s future frontier technology workforce by providing innovative training for early career scientists (ECRs) and postgraduate students.
Since its establishment in 2020, the centre has spun out ten startups companies, which have collectively raised more than $200m in venture capital.
AUSTRALIAN GENOME FOUNDRY
The Macquarie University node of the CoESB is also the location of the Australian Genome Foundry, an open access cutting-edge facility designed to accelerate the design, construction, and testing of microbes using highthroughput robotics and automation.
The high throughput biofoundry enables the Foundry to design, build, and test thousands of strains per week, unlocking nature’s potential.
BIOPLATFORMS AUSTRALIA
Provides access to ‘omics technologies for life science researchers in human health, agriculture, biodiversity, and industry. Bioplatforms is supported by National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and is located at Macquarie University.
RNA RESEARCH AND PILOT MANUFACTURING FACILITY
This new $96M facility will conduct smallscale GMP facility production of messenger RNA (mRNA), plasmid DNA (pDNA) and lipid nanoparticles (LNP) encapsulation at a scale which will enable phase 1-3 clinical trials of new therapeutics. Located at Macquarie University and operated by Aurora Biosynthetics it’s expected to open in 2026.
The facility will be supported by RNA Australia, a joint venture and collaboration between five universities and the NSW Government to lead the development of a robust RNA R&D ecosystem in NSW. It acts as the front door for the NSW RNA ecosystem, providing university research access to the RNA Research and Pilot Manufacturing Facility.
To further support the RNA facility, an additional $119 million over 10 years was allocated in June 2022 by the NSW Government for RNA R&D initiatives to build the talent and product pipelines. This investment has supported the establishment of RNA Australia, the NSW RNA Research and Training Network (NSW-RRTN), the RNA Pipeline Grants (RPG) program and the development of an RNA Investment Fund.
RESEARCH INSTITUTES & CENTRES
SLEEP AND RESPIRATORY
WOOLCOCK INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
With over 200 medical researchers and clinicians, Woolcock is a globally leading hub for groundbreaking research in sleep and respiratory disorders.
Woolcock offers a premier destination for clinical trials, clinical trial services, and research partnerships for industry and research focused organisations including a clinic and PC2 labs for DNA and RNA work.
The Woolcock Clinic offers specialised treatment and healthcare support for people with sleep and respiratory disorders. Woolcock’s expert clinical team provides patients the best possible care and treatment plans and the Clinic also runs comprehensive respiratory tests and sleep studies.
SEMICONDUCTORS
SIP LAB & MAD LAB @ MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY
The Silicon Platforms Lab (SiP Lab) focuses on the development of advanced hardware platforms using silicon-based technologies. The SiP Lab is led by Industry Professor Michael Boers in collaboration with Atto Devices.
The SiP Lab is an applied research lab with a focus on training students and developing novel integrated circuits designs with realworld applications in space, biotechnology, communications, sensors and compute.
Macquarie Analog Devices Laboratory (MAD Lab) focuses on compound semiconductors, partnering with technology company Analog Devices. It pushes the horizons of industry-driven wireless electronics for applications including satellite systems, test instruments, phased array, high-capacity microwave radio applications, 5G/6G radio access and backhaul.
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND MQ HEALTH
Macquarie University Hospital is the first private hospital to be located on a university campus in Australia, fully integrating clinical practice with research and education.
As part of Macquarie University Health Sciences Centre (MQ Health) and modelled on renowned international university hospitals, the approach to treatment is based on combining the best available knowledge and expertise to ensure patients receive a comprehensive and integrated service, as well as the utmost compassion, support and care.
It has 181 beds, including a 20-bed ICU, worldclass surgery facilities including surgical robots, and leading medical imaging.
The hospital integrates its clinical services with nearly 30 speciality clinics, under MQ Health – Macquarie University’s academic health sciences centre.
Patients also benefit from the convenience of traveling to one location for all their treatment. Although we have some of the most groundbreaking medical equipment onsite, we are as accessible and affordable as any other private healthcare facility in the country. As an academic hospital, the health professionals are committed to a culture of continuous improvement through teaching and research.
To bring the best outcomes to the patients, Macquarie University Hospital follows three simply stated aims: to heal, to learn, to discover.
CLINICAL TRIALS CAPABILITIES
Macquarie University’s Clinical Trials Unit works closely with industry partners to run clinical trials, most of which are commercially sponsored. The unit has some 180 active clinical trials across a wide range of conditions including cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological diseases.
SURGICAL INNOVATIONS
Macquarie researchers, surgeons and healthcare teams work together to develop and trial new surgical procedures, including world-first cardiac, respiratory and orthopaedic interventions.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
• Structural Heart program: busiest accredited private transcatheter aortic value implantation (TAVI) centre in NSW.
• Leading destination for advanced interventional pulmonology procedures to treat conditions of the lung and chest.
• Home to world’s most advanced shoulder and hand simulators and state-of-the-art laboratory where new techniques to improve joint replacement are investigated.
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY INCUBATOR
The Macquarie University Incubator is a space for entrepreneurs, students, researchers, staff and intrapreneurs who are working on an idea, research discovery, a new product or service that they are looking to commercialise.
The Incubator offers a wide array of support to assist them on their journey. From bespoke educational programs, access to networks of mentors, investors, and domain experts, to desks, secure offices, laboratories, meeting rooms, education and social spacesspaces, the Incubator actively cultivates a growing community who share and contribute their experience and resources to help early and scaling ideas grow through the difficult and vulnerable stages of development.
The team takes inclusivity seriously and is open to the wider community regardless of their connection to Macquarie University – working with entrepreneurs, researchers and students who want to explore, innovate and scale.
The Incubator is part of Australia’s network of public universities and research institutions, including CSIRO and ANSTO, that help take the nation’s ideas and discoveries to the world.
A
DELIBERATE APPROACH TO INNOVATION:
The Macquarie University Incubator employs the powerful triple helix model in developing an innovation ecosystem that engages with researchers, entrepreneurs, students, industry, and government to deliver strong economic and social impact.
A POWERFUL MODEL:
• Welcome industry, startups and scaleups into the university ecosystem.
Blending researchers, entrepreneurs, students and industry in the education programming and cohorts.
• Actively engage with local, state and federal government by sourcing and deploying funding to develop the innovation ecosystem, providing regular insights, feedback and reporting on the impact data to assist with policy development and understanding of entrepreneurs and innovators needs.
• Located on an internationally-ranked researchintensive university campus in the heart of the Macquarie Park Innovation District.
Embrace an industry, technology, and stage agnostic approach to cohort curation.
ECONOMIC IMPACT DATA:
The Macquarie University Incubator opened its doors in 2017, supporting over 210 startup and scaleup companies with educational programming, mentor and investor networks, and connecting the diverse community via a busy calendar of events.
From 2020-2024, the entrepreneurs have been growing the impact metrics:
• Secured over $88 Million in funding
• Generated $43 Million in revenue
• Paid $17.9 Million Wages
• Created over 194 New Jobs (FTE)
• Have had 87 IP Applications Granted
• 34 Startups have engaged with MQ Researchers
Core to the model is delivering practical and applied skills development via the bespoke educate program and building a connected community network through regular events and the mentor program.
• 79 Teams Completed the Researchers IMPACT Program
• 2,437+ Students have completed the education programs
• 9,548+ People have engaged with the events
• 100+ Active and vetted local and international mentors
Source: Cumulative data from MQ Incubator member startups opt-in MQ Incubator EID surveys 2020-24
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY DEEPTECH INCUBATOR
GROW AND COMMERCIALISE YOUR IDEAS
The Macquarie University DeepTech Incubator offers cutting-edge space to support innovators through the “Valley of Death” with access to technical infrastructure, support programs and services.
THE DEEPTECH INCUBATOR PROVIDES ACCESS TO:
• Community of likeminded founders
• Network of researchers, industry, mentors, investors and students
• Education program delivered by industry experts biannually
• Space and infrastructure - co-share laboratories, secure office, co-working spaces, boardroom, meeting rooms, IT infrastructure
• Triaging into Macquarie University Research expertise, services and equipment, including:
• Australian Genome Foundry
• ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology
• Macquarie University Hospital, and the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences
• The Macquarie Analytical & Fabrication Facility (MAFF) comprising 6 major units:
– Australian Proteome Analysis Facility
– Microscopy Unit
– Macquarie University Chemical Analysis and Biotechnology Centre
– NMR Facility
– Material Characterisation and Analysis Facility
– Macquarie Engineering and Technical Services (METS)
HEAR FROM THE DEEPTECH FOUNDERS:
The DeepTech Incubator was just what my idea needed to prove itself. There is nothing else like this – it’s accessible to anyone with a good idea and delightfully quick and easy to commence. The team is amazingly competent and supportive. It’s fantastic what they are providing Sydney entrepreneurs and the model for how incubators should be done.
Dr Jeremy Henson | Founder ETHyR Biotech
The support that we receive from the Incubator goes beyond the critical lab access our business needs. We have a business mentor, and regular entrepreneurship training opportunities. We practice pitching to real audiences, build networks, and engage with students, academics, and other founders/startups who contribute to our development.
Dave Sammut | Principal Loop Hydrometallurgy Pty Ltd
MACQUARIE COMMERCIALISATION
The Macquarie Commercialisation team at Macquarie University has commercial and technical expertise.
• commercial opportunity evaluation
• new venture formation
• networking and introductions to investors
68 ACTIVE PATENT FAMILIES
84 ACTIVE TRADEMARKS
• intellectual property (IP) planning, IP registration, management and strategy
• industry outreach and prospecting for IP licencing
14 ACTIVE SPIN-OUTS
75 ACTIVE LICENSE AGREEMENTS & ASSIGNMENTS
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY SPINOUT COMPANIES
MiND Biosciences Pty Ltd
TALENT
Macquarie Park is a dense hotspot of talent with 63,000 employees working in the district, home to one of Australia’s top 10 universities, Macquarie University, and two TAFE NSW campuses, Australia’s leading vocational education and training provider.
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY TALENT STATS
• 44,000+ connected students from 100+ countries
• 238,000+ alumni from 150+ countries
• 10,000 degrees awarded annually
• 190+ partner universities for student exchange in 50+ countries
TAFE NSW
TAFE NSW has industry-qualified and experienced educators who bring practical and real-world learning into the classroom.
Macquarie Park hosts two TAFE NSW campuses:
TAFE NSW RYDE
- an internationally-renowned centre for specialist training in horticulture and environmental management, as well as hospitality and tourism.
TAFE NSW MEADOWBANK
- a technologyfocused campus that is home to the Multi-Trades and Digital Technology Hub, which delivers industry-focused training, and IAT Digital, with its courses designed by trusted industry and educational experts.
SPACES FOR CO-LOCATION
The district offers a range of commercial and innovation spaces and facilities to support a thriving workforce.
The district has over 1.2 million square metres of developed and approved commercial space.
SOME OF THE KEY NEW DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE:
MPARK BY STOCKLAND
Stage one includes three new commercial buildings providing over 62,000 square metres of space for up to 3,600 workers. Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Audika, CHEP, Axis Communications, WiSE Medical and others are already calling MPark their new home.
MACQUARIE EXCHANGE
With the potential to deliver over 83,000 square metres of commercial space the first building in the precinct has opened, MQ4 and is home to: Arrotex, Key Pharma, Anglicare, Hitachi Australia and Hartmann Group.
MACQUARIE SQUARE
Key new precinct with approval for five new commercial buildings for potentially over 100,000 square metres of space. The first building is open and is tenanted by Transport for NSW.
ARRAY
A new boutique building with 10,000 square metres of office space, new home to Toshiba Australia and Hyundai Capital.
8-12 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
A new opportunity to be co-located at the Macquarie University campus. The approved development will be provide a mixed-use education, commercial and innovation for industry. Located opposite the Cochlear HQ.
CO-LOCATE YOUR BUSINESS
PARTNER WITH THE DISTRICT
ACCESS TALENT: FROM GRADUATES, INTERNSHIPS TO PHDS
