Lab space as-a-service: how we’ve made renting laboratory space a whole lot easier

CoLabs Australia offers flexible, fee-for-service wet lab facilities and translational research facilities for hire in Melbourne, Victoria. We have two spaces available. Our first space is located in Brunswick, 12 minutes by bike, tram or car from the Parkville Precinct and the Melbourne CBD. The second space is over in Notting Hill, a short walk away from Monash University in Clayton. 

Currently, laboratory space for hire is sought out at universities, private laboratories and research organisations. Yet, embarking on a journey with these entities brings its own myriad of challenges, such as those mentioned above. Co-Labs Australia offers an alternate pathway to feed innovative ideas into the commercialisation pipeline. An Australian-first model in how space is made available for biotech innovation, Co-Labs is well-positioned to help address the systemic challenges that currently face the bio-innovation ecosystem. 

Co-Labs offers lab space, rented by the bench, decreasing overheads and lead times in finding space. This ‘co-working’ style will allow for the co-location of innovative startups, actively promoting a culture of collaboration, cooperation and coordination. This reduces lead times and overheads by offering communal equipment and services, saving startups, and their investors, tens of thousands of dollars. We also ensure that members retain full ownership of their intellectual property, removing roadblocks that hinder the incentive to innovate. Co-Labs is a simple solution to a pressing problem that has been executed and successfully used internationally in the biotech market for over a decade. Our members only need to worry about the work they need to do, whilst Co-Labs takes care of the rest. We have an incredibly diverse range of members, ranging from independent researchers, early-stage startups, ASX-listed entities, NGOs, charities and international businesses across deep tech, climate tech, ag tech, biotech, circular economy, biodesign and life science sectors who are growing their impact-oriented organisations here in Victoria. 

Our vision for the future is one where the infrastructure for bio-innovation is accessible to all Australians. Where Australia has a thriving bio-based economy, within which Australia’s biotechnology sector plays a vital role in positively contributing to the economy, society and the environment. 

We aspire to create a business that helps restore ecosystem functions, regenerates bio-productivity, improves social solidarity and collaboration, and increases the health and well-being of individuals, our communities and our encompassing ecosystems.

To create a world-class interdisciplinary innovation hub that facilitates the growth of the life science sector by catalysing transformative (H3) innovation and systemic change via supporting impact-driven R&D and transformational educational offerings that develop STEM capabilities, critical and living systems thinking and eco-literacy.