CORE Innovation Hub

CORE Innovation Hub is an Australian entity dedicated to building robust innovation ecosystems and infrastructure for the nation's critical resources and energy sectors. Established in Perth in July 2016, the hub was initially located within the FLUX co-working space on St George Terrace. Its foundational mission was to connect operators, suppliers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups, fostering collaboration and driving innovative solutions across various domains including mining, resources, energy, oil and gas, defence, and space. This initiative addressed a perceived gap in Perth for a dedicated community supporting entrepreneurship and innovation within these vital industries.

Since its inception, CORE has significantly expanded its national footprint, launching a South Australian base in 2020 at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide, with support from the Department for Energy & Mining. A key regional hub also opened in Newman, Western Australia, in 2021 or 2022, furthering its commitment to fostering innovation in the Pilbara region, supported by entities like BHP. What distinguishes CORE Innovation Hub is its comprehensive, programmatic approach that extends beyond merely providing coworking spaces. They design and activate ecosystems through purpose-built hubs, test beds, and collaborative precincts to de-risk, scale, and accelerate critical technologies.

CORE is deeply embedded in the industries it serves, with its precincts often co-designed with the end-users. The hub offers curated programs, talent pipelines, investor access, and rapid validation tools, creating a dynamic environment for growth and commercialisation. Noteworthy achievements include cultivating a national ecosystem with over 5500 members, hosting more than 300 events, and graduating over 250 participants from its programs. It operates significant testing grounds such as the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP) in Perth and the Rail Collaboration Centre (RCC) for the heavy haul rail industry.

Leadership at CORE Innovation Hub includes Tamryn Barker, who serves as the CEO and Co-Founder, guiding its strategic direction. Brodie McCulloch is a Co-Founding Director, instrumental in establishing the hub and growing its community, while Zane Prickett is also a Director and Co-Founder. Renee Hakendorf acts as the National Innovation Hub Lead, driving key projects and regional expansion. The annual Hot 30 Awards are a flagship initiative, recognising trailblazing innovators in the energy and mining sectors across Australia, showcasing businesses like AiSpanner, Chironix, Soter Analytics, and Datarock, which have successfully scaled their ideas to solve real-world problems.