A focus on technology

Australians have long been early adopters of new technologies and technological innovation is a significant growth industry for the country.

In the past decade, several Australian-founded technology companies have had global success. Sydney-headquartered Atlassian is one of these and an extraordinary story of two university friends who are now acknowledged on the world stage as leaders in their field. 

According to the Atlassian website – “Armed with a credit card and a dream, two college friends, Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar set out to create Atlassian. In 2002, they didn't know what kind of company Atlassian was going to be, but they knew exactly what it shouldn't be—an environment where they had to conform rather than be who they authentically are.” 

A collaboration software company that helps teams organise, discuss and complete shared work, Atlassian’s products are now used by more than 200,0000 large and small organisations, NFPs and government agencies around the world.  

And as they say – “The rest is history”. 

Ten years later, across the other side of the country in Perth, Melanie Perkins began the process of revolutionising graphic design because she decided it would be so much easier to produce a poster or flyer online in one place, with one tool. Born in Perkins’ mother’s living room, Canva was officially launched in 2013. Now headquartered in Sydney, it is available in 190 countries, in 100 languages and employs more than 2,000 people. In September 2021, Canva’s market valuation was more than AUD$54 billion. 

Sydney has rightly earned a reputation of global standing as an innovative city with a flourishing technology sector, and in its 2021 Technology Innovation Hubs Report, KPMG ranks Australia tenth in the world for countries that show most promise for developing disruptive technologies; and ranks Sydney as the leading tech city in Australia. 

Sydney’s standing in the technology sector will be boosted further by Tech Central, an innovation and technology precinct at the southern end of the city, near Central Station, developed by the New South Wales (NSW) Government. The new headquarters of Atlassian will anchor the precinct, and major hubs for quantum technology and the space industry are already earmarked for residence. 

The Tech Central precinct will grow the city’s strengths in technology and will provide 250,000m2 of floorspace for technology companies, one fifth of which will be made available as affordable workspace for start-ups and early-stage companies.  

Stretching outwards from Central Station, just south of the central business district (CBD), the precinct is located close to the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) and a wide range of accommodation options, making it ideal for conferences and business events in the city. 

As the future focal point of Sydney's innovation and technology community, the new facilities will create a vibrant innovation and technology hub in the heart of Sydney, with strong links to international markets, Greater Sydney, and the rest of NSW. 

Home to the Sydney Quantum Academy and future Space Industry Hub, the precinct aims to future-proof and diversify the NSW economy and cement its position as a leader in: 

• fintech, cyber and e-health 
• digital and deep technology including quantum, blockchain, AI, robotics, IOT and analytics 
• creative industries including VR and game design. 

Institutions near to the new precinct – including the University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Data61, which is part of the CSIRO Australian Government agency responsible for scientific research – will also collaborate with business on joint research, commercialisation and graduate programs. 

Moreover, Sydney boasts world-class venues and event partners, as well as an experienced and intellectually curious team at BESydney who are ready to support associations to deliver global meetings that inspire, motivate, educate and connect sector leaders. Its network benefits from strong connections to government and a Global Ambassador program that comprises world leading experts who lend their support to confirm Sydney as one of the world’s premier locations for global industry meetings.