Why Dedicated Spaces for Biotech, Deep Tech, and Climate Tech Startups Are Key to Driving Innovation

In today’s rapidly evolving world, innovation is essential to tackling the pressing challenges of our time, especially in biotech and climate tech. Startups are at the forefront of this innovation, yet access to specialised facilities and expert support can often be a barrier. That’s where CoLabs Australia comes in. As a transdisciplinary innovation hub, CoLabs is creating a much-needed crucible for forging the next generation of bio-led businesses that are striving for a thriving future. Although we do offer lab space for rent across metropolitan Melbourne, with sites in Brunswick and Notting Hill (and more coming in Sydney and Brisbane soon).

As we always say, we are so much more than just rentable lab space – we are a major node in Australia’s emerging bio-innovation mycelial network and are working on weaving together a vast web of organisations, mentors, funders, and everything in between into a comprehensive ecosystem designed to germinate, accelerate and incubate startup growth. So, whether you’re in biotech, climate tech, deep tech, or curious about biomimicry, ecological design, systemic design, or regenerative development, CoLabs is the ideal place to foster your innovation journey. 

Also, for those in existing organisations, NGOs, or non-profits, we offer consulting and support services called innovation facilitation. 

The Importance of Rentable Lab Space for Biotech Startups

Simply put, it’s all about the money, honey (or cash flow, bro)! Biotech and deep tech startups often face high initial setup costs, primarily associated with lab infrastructure and equipment. Securing appropriate facilities that meet the oft-stringent requirements of biotechnology research can be a significant hurdle for early-stage companies. At CoLabs, we make it easier by providing fully equipped PC2 lab spaces, which we do our best to tailor to the needs of life science startups. Many of our members are doing molecular biology workflows, cell culture (Cortical Labs, Magic Valley, Pythag Tech, Vow), biomaterials (Alt Leather) and Med Tech (Diag-Nose, Oncoparse, Oncorevive), to name a few.

Why Choose CoLabs for Biotech Lab Space?

• State-of-the-art PC2 labs: CoLabs offers labs that meet the biosafety standards required for advanced biotech research. We also have our own IBC, so if your work involves GMOs, biohazards, or materials that require oversight, we can review and monitor your research to ensure it complies with Victorian and federal biosafety regulations. 
• Flexible renting options: Whether you need a permanent lab space or a short-term rental, CoLabs can accommodate the dynamic needs of growing startups with our flexible lab space-as-a-service model. If we were any more flexible, we’d be offering yoga classes. 
• Customisable spaces: Our labs are designed to grow with your company, allowing you to expand your operations as your research scales. What’s more, we have a wide network of property partners, ensuring that we can find you a home once you’re ready to leave the nest. 

Climate Tech Innovation Needs the Right Space to Thrive

Despite being ranked second last for ‘climate action’ in the Sustainable Development Report, Australia, with its diverse ecosystems and unique climate challenges, has the potential to become a global leader in climate tech innovation. From renewable energy solutions to technologies designed to regenerate ecosystems, the climate tech sector is growing rapidly. However, as with biotech, the need for specialised lab space is critical to developing and testing new technologies.

CoLabs supports climate tech startups by providing the following:

• Collaborative lab environments: Climate tech requires multi, inter, and transdisciplinary collaboration. Our lab spaces facilitate networking and partnerships between innovators from various sectors.
• Prototyping and testing: Climate tech solutions often need physical space to prototype, test, and refine, like our former members Alt Leather and Great Wrap. CoLabs’ lab facilities offer the flexibility and resources needed for this development. 

Consulting Services to Support Startups

Beyond providing physical lab spaces, CoLabs offers consulting services to guide startups through critical stages of development. Whether it’s regulatory compliance in biotech or strategic planning in climate tech, CoLabs connects startups with industry experts who can provide tailored advice. We also have a strong foundational understanding of how to ‘give things a crack’ and our entrepreneurial spirit and unique approach to bio-led design and innovation. As founders ourselves, we deeply understand the nuances associated with bringing an idea to life. After all, CoLabs itself is a startup that was born as a response to the multifaceted challenges of our times. For more on our origin story, check out our podcast.

Key consulting services include:

• • Regulatory guidance: Navigating complex regulations in both biotech and climate tech can be daunting. CoLabs offers expert advice to ensure that startups are compliant with industry standards. 
  • Business strategy development: We help startups refine their business models and market strategies, ensuring they’re positioned for long-term success.
  • Funding support: From grant applications to securing venture capital, CoLabs assists startups in identifying and obtaining funding to fuel their growth.

• Sales and Marketing: Looking for leads? Need a website developed? After some branding basics? We’ve got your sales and marketing needs covered and can help you build your brand, attract customers, and grow your business with confidence.

• Content Creation: Our team has the expertise and resources to craft compelling content, develop a tailored digital marketing strategy, and handle podcasting and video production. We’re here to help you amplify your message, engage your audience, and drive real results for your business.

Facilitating Innovation: The CoLabs Approach

At CoLabs, innovation is not just encouraged—it’s facilitated. Our team is dedicated to helping startups thrive, offering access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities that go beyond simply renting a lab. Here’s how we support innovation:

• Customised support for challenge-led ventures: CoLabs works with startups to ensure their unique challenges are addressed, offering bespoke solutions and insights that accelerate progress.
• Ecosystem connections: CoLabs’ connections with universities, research institutes, local and state governments, VCs, successful startups, platform players and industry leaders provide startups with valuable partnerships and collaboration opportunities across the board from the get-go. 
• Innovation workshops and events: We regularly host workshops and networking events to foster collaboration between biotech, deep tech, climate tech, and other impact-driven sectors. These events are designed to spark new ideas, as well as meaningful conversations and collaborations that lead to impactful innovations.

Why Choose CoLabs for your Bio-led Innovation?

CoLabs is more than just a place to rent lab space—it’s an innovation hub where startups are supported at every stage of their journey. Our facilities are designed for biotech, deep tech and climate tech companies that need more than just space—they need a network, guidance, and an environment that fosters creativity, cooperation and collaboration.

• End-to-end support: From ideation to scale-up, CoLabs provides startups with the tools, space, and expertise to navigate their innovation journey successfully.
• Scalable lab and office spaces: As your company grows, so can your space. CoLabs offers flexible leasing options that allow you to scale without the headache of moving your operations.
• Consulting and mentoring: With a network of industry experts and consultants, CoLabs gives startups access to the expertise they need to navigate complex challenges in biotech and climate tech.
• Context: When it comes to making innovation happen, location is essential. We specifically select sites that allow our members to easily weave into the rich social fabric of their surroundings. We ensure that there’s a great mix of cafes, restaurants, pubs and anything else you may need (like Bunnings, a computer parts store, or consumables/reagents suppliers) nearby. 
• Culture: Last but certainly not least, we pride ourselves on creating the conditions that allow for a delightful collaborative culture to emerge within and between our spaces. Cultivating Community is at the heart of everything we do, it’s why we exist, and it’s our most valuable asset. 

Join the CoLabs Innovation Ecosystem

If you’re a biotech, deep tech, climate tech, medtech startup (or anything else that is striving to raise social foundations whilst bringing humanity back within planetary boundaries) and are looking for the ideal environment to grow and innovate, we’re here for you. From renting lab space to providing innovation consulting services, we’re happy to help you on your journey towards transformative innovation.

Curious? So are we. 

Reach out today to learn more about how we can help you incubate and accelerate your impact-oriented ideas today.