Better streets and spaces

Climate startups scale up in new Sydney hub

Local tech talent gets ready for a global market

Greenhouse - Looking up crop

Our most exciting climate technology startups will soon be under one roof in a new innovation hub at Circular Quay.

From developing new clean energy technologies, to creating construction materials that reduce a building’s energy consumption, climate tech is a rapidly growing sector.

The industry is set to play a critical role in the continued growth and economic success of wider Sydney and our national economy.

Our most exciting climate technology startups will be under one roof
Our most exciting climate technology startups will be under one roof

Greenhouse will provide a desirable and affordable home to startups and scaleups focused on tech solutions to benefit the environment.

The hub will take over the first 3 floors of Lendlease’s striking 56-storey tower development at 180 George Street at Circular Quay.

It will be a place where local talent can accelerate their growth into local and global markets, make a positive impact on the environment, and contribute to reducing Australia’s carbon emissions.

Sydney, a growing hub for tech innovation

Greenhouse will be a welcome addition to the growing tech startup ecosystem in Sydney. It will complement hubs like Sydney Startup Hub in Wynyard – home to Fishburners, Stone & Chalk, The Studio and Tank Stream Labs – and the growing Tech Central Precinct, home to Cicada Innovations, Data 61 and Sydney Quantum Academy, and future home to Atlassian and a new space industry hub.

Sydney has a global reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship and has the highest concentration of startups in Australia. The likes of Atlassian, Afterpay, Canva, Judo Bank, and other high-value innovators like Tyro Payments and, Airtasker all kick-started their operations here in Sydney.

The Greenhouse innovation hub will help progressive climate tech companies bring their big ideas to market, create jobs and expand into global markets.

Innovative workspace model supports creative, green, social enterprise and technology business startups

To make Greenhouse a reality, we have awarded an accommodation grant to Innovillage Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of seed investment company Investible, to operate and sub-lease the space. Greenhouse will support emerging technology companies with investment capital, talent and growth services to realise their global ambitions.

The 10-year rental subsidy arrangement will help Greenhouse support the growth of emerging climate-tech businesses and others committed to enabling a ‘net zero’ future. It will be a place for growth, with a mission to provide climate-focused companies with the capital, talent, programs and support to reach their fullest potential.

Positioning Sydney as a global leader in climate technology

The City of Sydney’s tech startups action plan identifies access to space as one of the key actions to support technology entrepreneurs and grow the startup ecosystem.

Greenhouse aims to directly support more than 100 high-performing businesses to create more than 1,500 new jobs over 10 years. It will also work with the wider technology ecosystem, including early-stage startups along with corporate and university talent.

The hub is part of our commitment to supporting Sydney’s technology ecosystem and innovation economy. It’s also part of our commitment to outstanding environmental performance, including a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2035.

Look out for the Greenhouse launch in 2022

The Lendlease precinct development includes a 56-storey tower, public plaza, retail laneways, bicycle hub, public art and a new hospitality venue on the site of the former Jacksons on George.

Greenhouse is expected to open in late 2022.

Published 5 August 2021, updated 11 August 2021

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