SPARK, Wyndham City Council’s Innovation Hub, has been established as a collaborative space to support and mentor creative, innovative, solution driven emerging businesses and entrepreneurs, and digital, tech start-ups, to scale up their concepts and products, to commercialisation.
SPARK, an integral part of Wyndham City’s Economic Development Strategy, focuses on developing an innovative and entrepreneurial based ecosystem, strengthening the knowledge economy, and increasing employment, within the region, particularly in Wyndham’s priority sectors of Health, Education, Professional and Technical Services, Manufacturing, Logistics, Construction, Visitor Economy and Agribusiness.
Located within the East Werribee Employment Precinct, at 600 Sneydes Road, the Hub includes 50 ergonomic workstations across shared offices and open space configurations, meeting rooms, collaboration and maker spaces, and function spaces.
The aim of SPARK is to create a vibrant hub where member businesses are embedded in an inclusive, collaborative environment that fosters active participation in initiatives which enable accelerated growth. Member businesses will have access to business training and mentoring opportunities, relevant state and federal government services, key industry organisations and a dedicated Council officer who will be available to provide support and advice.
A profile of SPARK Member Businesses
As an overarching theme, Spark Members (individuals and small businesses) demonstrate high impact potential, innovation, and a capacity to address scalable markets, in Wyndham’s priority sectors, including digital technology.
These businesses range from start-ups to early-stage companies or in some circumstances mature enterprises who are seeking to pivot and adapt innovative solutions that deliver exponential growth.
Member businesses demonstrate a high level of innovation, creativity, digital literacy, utilising and enhancing existing technologies, as well as creating or adapting new technology to solve industry problems, and to drive market share and revenue.
Current SPARK Member Businesses vary from software, application and hardware developers, specialists in design, robotics, data analytics, SOE, virtual and augmented reality, user and metaverse interfaces. The sectors their products and services support range from education, construction, freight and logistics, retail, agriculture, sport and recreation, environmental sustainability, wellbeing, accommodation, professional services, cybersecurity, medical, emergency services and aged care.
Become a SPARK Member Business
To become a SPARK Member, individuals and small businesses participate in an expression of interest (EOI) process, including an interview with those individuals and small businesses felt suitable from their EOI submission, to be considered for Spark Membership.
Successful applicants are offered a twelve month Member’s residency period, with an option of a further twelve month period at the discretion of Council.
Out of Rounds Expression of Interest Period
With the recent formal EOI process completed, SPARK has now entered an “out of Rounds / Rolling” EOI period. This means that businesses and individuals that meet the eligibility criteria and are the right innovative, creative fit for SPARK, can enquire about submitting an EOI outside the formally designated EOI periods.
So, if you feel now is the right time to further explore what SPARK could offer you, the link for the eligibility criteria and the EOI Terms and Conditions follows. Or if you have any questions about SPARK, or about submitting an EOI, please email the SPARK Innovation Hub Advisor at spark@wyndham.vic.gov.au
The Startup Network
The Startup Network and Wyndham City's Community Partnership
Wyndham City Council is a proud Community Partner of the Startup Network (formerly Startup Victoria).
The Startup Network is Australia’s largest independent startup community. They are a non-Government not for profit entity, funded by members, industry and community partners, with their focus keenly on founders and supporting the founder community of Australia.
The Partnership, through Wyndham City’s Economic Development Unit, and SPARK, Wyndham City’s Innovation Hub, is the first for a western metropolitan Melbourne council and has opened up a raft of benefits to Wyndham’s own startup community, emerging businesses and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
With their own highly engaged community of amazing founders and entrepreneurs, the Startup Network are industry and thought leaders, in Australia’s startup ecosystem. With a highly regarded brand and reputation, in demand programs and events, the partnership brings many opportunities to Wyndham.
All focused at supporting founders and entrepreneurs, there is access to their founder and industry networks, to community events such as pitch competitions and conferences with nationally and internationally recognised speakers and experts, business advice and mentoring, programs and seminars, discounted membership and event access, and to their investor communities as well.
The Partnership supports Wyndham’s Economic Development unit, and SPARK Innovation Hub programs and initiatives, aimed at helping Wyndham’s business community grow stronger and more resilient. With access to Victorian and national partners, a community of practice, joint activities and events, marketing, publications and social media, and Startup Network Community events hosted in Wyndham, the City is even better placed to support our region’s business development.
For further information on The Startup Network: https://thestartupnetwork.com.au/
Deakin Digital Futures Network
On August 25th, 2023, Wyndham City Council was pleased to announce Wyndham City’s participation as a founding partner of the Digital Futures Network.
The Digital Futures Network, led by Deakin University’s Digital Futures Program, has been established to bring together local and state government, the public sector, industry, and academia to bridge the digital divide in Victoria.
With one in four people in Australia still digitally excluded, and many more struggling to access, afford, and effectively use digital technologies (1), the network will be focused bringing digital inclusion, digital services and the digital economy to local communities and businesses.
Wyndham City, Cr Susan McIntyre, said: “For Wyndham, Australia’s fastest growing local government area, this Digital Futures Network partnership means our community and businesses will have access to programs and learning tools, through our libraries and SPARK Innovation Hub, to help them better understand, navigate, communicate, live and operate in this ever-transforming digital world.”
“This partnership is timely and beneficial as it aligns with our current Economic Development, Learning and Smart City strategies, aimed at digitally future-proofing Wyndham’s communities.”
The Digital Futures Network is aligned with both Federal and State Government digital strategy initiatives and pathways towards an Australian digital economy and society.
The Network is driven by public good objectives such as delivering free digital literacy, financial literacy, and business literacy programs, as well as social inclusion by providing support and free access to technology and digital resources to underserved communities.
The Network currently comprises more than 60 locations and touchpoints, including local libraries, community centres and business centres, and has an estimated capacity of serving more than four million Victorians.
Supported and endorsed by Regional Development Australia, the Victorian State Government and Regional Development Victoria (Loddon Campaspe, Barwon and Great South Coast), Wyndham City Council, along with other founding partners, such as the City of Melbourne, Public Libraries Victoria, the Geelong Regional Library Corporation, Yarra Plenty Regional Libraries, Deakin Library, South West TAFE and Megantic, through Deakin University’s Network programs, aim at utilising and linking existing infrastructure and services that can assist communities to connect, upskill and ultimately bridge the digital divide, firstly across Victoria, then nationally.
For further information on the Digital Futures Network: https://www.deakin.edu.au/digital-futures
[1] Australian Digital Inclusion Index 2023
The Digital Futures Network is supported by the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund (VHESIF).
1 Month Free Trial at SPARK Wyndham’s Innovation Hub
1 Month Free Trial @ Spark
Come and experience SPARK, Wyndham City’s Innovation Hub, for 1 month FREE of charge
Are you a local innovative small business, startup or entrepreneur seeking a unique space to collaborate, ideate, or just connect with other Wyndham City founders, why not join us at SPARK?
SPARK has been established to connect, mentor and support creative, innovative, solution driven small businesses, tech startups, and entrepreneurs to scale their concepts, services and products to commercialisation.
To find out what it’s like being part of this collaborative ecosystem, in the heart of Wyndham, SPARK, Wyndham City’s Innovation Hub, is offering you the opportunity to join us for a one month trial at no cost!
Ignite your journey with Wyndham's entrepreneurial community! Places are limited, so to secure your free one month trial, email Brendan Quirk, SPARK Innovation Hub Advisor at spark@wyndham.vic.gov.au.
SPARK Innovation Hub Tours
Are you a Wyndham innovative small business, startup or entrepreneur looking for a “launch pad”?
Are you looking for somewhere to work with likeminded people, to connect and collaborate with?
Have you ever driven past the “SPARK” sign at 600 Sneydes Road and wondered, “What’s all that about?”
Well, to find out how being part of Wyndham’s entrepreneurial ecosystem can work for you, join a tour of SPARK, Wyndham’s Innovation Hub.
On this tour you will be introduced to the collaborative working environment, get insight into the member business community, learn about the supportive programs, networking opportunities and other benefits available. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask the SPARK team questions about the initiative and becoming a member.
To book your tour of SPARK Innovation Hub, at 600 Sneydes Road Werribee, please email the SPARK team at spark@wyndham.vic.gov.au
Terms & Conditions
By submitting an EOI to participate in Council’s Innovation Hub, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
These terms and conditions should be read in conjunction with other documents and information relating to the Innovation Hub, including your EOI and the information made available on Council’s website.
- ELIGIBILITY
1.1 To be eligible to submit an EOI, you must be the owner of a business that:
(a) has a current active ABN with the registered business address being in Wyndham; and
(b) does not have any electronic gaming machines at its premises.1.2 Council staff, Councillors and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply.
- SUBMISSION OF EOIS
2.1 To submit an EOI, you must submit a properly completed form on Council’s website.
2.2 You agree to immediately notify Council of any changes to your EOI, including the request to withdraw your EOI, by email to spark@wyndham.vic.gov.au.
2.3 Council accepts no responsibility for late, lost, incomplete, invalid or corrupt EOIs.
- ASSESSMENT OF EOIs
3.1 EOIs will be assessed by a Council officers based on the following assessment criteria:
(a) cultural fit and willingness to participate in Innovation Hub programs;
(b) evidence of a sound business model;
(c) evidence of previous investment to support business development and growth;
(d) evidence that the business has potential for accelerated growth and commercial scalability;
(e) evidence that the business’s technology is new, or significantly enhanced, or adaptive to meet existing market or new market needs; and
(f) alignment with Council’s economic development strategy including capacity to develop business innovation and entrepreneurial capacity.3.2 Council may contact applicants and require them to participate in an interview, time and date to be agreed.
3.3 Following the conclusion of interviews (if any), Council will determine the successful applicants to participate in the Innovation Hub.
3.4 Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by Council.
3.5 Applicants acknowledge and agree that Council is not bound to accept any EOI.
- SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
Successful applicants acknowledge and agree that:
4.1 prior to occupying the Innovation Hub, they must enter into a licence with Council and comply with its terms, including payment of the licence fee, (starting from $300 per month), articipating in programs and events offered by Council and occupying the licensed area for at least 24 hours per week during their licence term;
4.2 Council will grant a maximum of 50 licences for the Innovation Hub at any one time; and
4.3 the maximum term for a licence granted to a successful applicant will be 24 months.
- INSURANCE
5.1 Council recommends that successful applicants hold and maintain public liability insurance in a minimum sum of $10 million per single event for the term of their licence.
5.2 Successful applicants acknowledge and agree that if they do not hold the recommended public liability insurance specified in condition 5.1, that they may only occupy the licenced area between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm on Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) during the term of their licence. Successful applicants further acknowledge and agree that if they do hold the recommended public liability insurance, they may request and negotiate extended hours of occupation to the licensed area during the term of their licence.
- LIABILITY
6.1 You acknowledge and agree that you submit an EOI at your own risk and that you are entirely responsible for determining whether participating in the Innovation Hub is right for you.
6.2 Council makes no representation about the level of business growth you may enjoy as a result of participating in the Innovation Hub.
- GENERAL
7.1 Nothing in these terms and conditions or in the conduct of Council and an applicant will create a relationship of agency, partnership, employer and employee or joint venture between the applicant and Council.
7.2 Council reserves the right to change or modify these terms and conditions at any time.
7.3 Council’s decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.