Adelaide University appointed to lead Innovation Hub at Lot Fourteen 

The $24.5 million Innovation Hub at Lot Fourteen will be managed and operated by Adelaide University, playing a central role in strengthening South Australia’s ability to drive innovation.

Selected through a competitive Expression of Interest and rigorous evaluation process, Adelaide University brings global top 100 credentials and an operating model that strongly aligns with the Innovation Hub’s purpose and statewide strategic objectives.

The Hub will lead in fostering a culture of collaboration between research, industry and government to support more effective translation and commercialisation of research and technology in South Australia.

Funded through the Australian and South Australian governments, it will create a vibrant environment for researchers and innovators to connect and collaborate.

Located within the new Defence HQ at Lot Fourteen, the Hub will serve as a gateway to South Australia’s 20 innovation places, including Tonsley Innovation District, Edinburgh Defence Precinct, and Adelaide BioMed City.

The Innovation Hub will also leverage its location at Lot Fourteen, surrounded by global and national firms such as Amazon Web Services, CommBank Tech Hub and Salesforce, and major industry and research institutions the Australian Space Agency, Stone & Chalk and the Australian Institute for Machine Learning.

Spanning 2,500m², the Hub will feature curated, flexible workspaces, collaboration zones, and event spaces designed to accelerate the sharing of information and intelligence to drive innovation while facilitating stronger connections between research and industry in technologies critical to the development of the South Australian economy.

Construction of Defence HQ is scheduled for completion in late 2028, with the Hub opening in early 2029. It will share its building with the Australian Defence Technologies Academy, SpaceBase, and BAE Systems Australia.

The operator will work with industry, academia, and government partners to provide a platform to accelerate technologies where South Australia has leading or emerging strengths, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity, quantum sensing, advanced materials, photonics, and communications.

By harnessing world-class research and industry expertise, the Innovation Hub will accelerate the translation of ideas into real-world applications, driving productivity and economic growth for South Australia.

Quotes attributable to Premier Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP 

 We are at one of the most exciting and transformative times in the history of research and innovation.

The pace of technological advancement is creating unprecedented opportunities to deliver solutions that improve lives, strengthen economies, and address global challenges where South Australia is globally competitive.

These challenges demand bold thinking and collaborative action, which is why my Government is investing in innovation.

The Innovation Hub will build stronger connections between research and industry in technologies critical to the development of the South Australian economy.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“The Australian Government is proud to invest in the new state-of-the-art Innovation Hub that will offer dynamic and thriving spaces for innovation and business growth.

“Once complete, the Hub will be a place to foster ideas, accelerate research and support industry investment.

“This visionary project will establish the Hub as a leading innovation and collaboration district for decades to come.”

Quotes attributable, Premier of South Australia

“The pace of technological advancement is creating unprecedented opportunities to deliver solutions that improve lives, strengthen economies, and address global challenges where South Australia is globally competitive.”

“These challenges demand bold thinking and collaborative action, which is why my Government is investing in innovation.

“The Innovation Hub will build stronger connections between research and industry in technologies critical to the development of the South Australian economy.

“By harnessing world-class research and industry expertise, the Innovation Hub will accelerate the translation of ideas into real-world applications, driving productivity and economic growth for South Australia.”

Quotes attributable to Adelaide University Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Nicola Phillips  

“The Innovation Hub at Lot Fourteen is exactly the kind of progressive project that Adelaide University has been created to support, bringing together industry, government and academic expertise to advance South Australia’s strengths and opportunities.

“We are delighted to have the chance to guide and shape this significant collaboration, and we are excited by the huge potential to transform industries, drive economic growth, and focus South Australia’s expertise on global challenges.”

“Initiatives like the Innovation Hub play a vital role in creating a vibrant future for our State, and that makes this a top priority for Adelaide University.