ManuFutures – Deakin University

Accelerating your ideas into innovative manufacturing solutions

ManuFutures is Australia's unique advanced manufacturing
innovation hub.

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Do you have a product-based idea and want to start a business?

The Ignite Program is for you.

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Do you have a new start-up business and need help to grow it?

The Accelerate Program is for you.

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Are you an existing manufacturing business and need to innovate?

The Engage Program is for you.

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What is ManuFutures?

ManuFutures is Australia’s unique advanced manufacturing innovation hub, located within the heart of Deakin’s Future Economy Precinct, that helps businesses to accelerate success through its unique facilities, programs and services.

ManuFutures has been a significant and growing part of Deakin’s success since its establishment in 2018.

$1B

company value via new start-ups

500+

student
placements

120+

direct new
jobs

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OUR PROGRAMS

Our programs are specific to those who are future entrepreneurs, have a business idea or want to innovate their established business.

ManuFutures
Ignite

FREE 12-week manufacturing mentoring and coaching program

“The Ignite program is a doorway to the whole of Deakin University, connecting you to a robust network of mentors, academics and researchers and our growing industry network.”

Mark Curnow,
Director Regional Manufacturing, Deakin Innovations

Accelerate business ideas
Develop a business strategy
Develop a robust commercialisation plan
Access ManuFutures workspace and infrastructure
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This program is right for you if you:

  • are an entrepreneur or a product-based start-up business.
  • need support to build an entrepreneurial venture.
  • want to take your manufacturing, engineering, design ideas down a commercial pathway.
  • can commit to one day a week for 12 face-to-face sessions, as well as pre-reading and preparation.

Participants can be eligible for up to $10,000 of product engineering services from ManuFutures to help their business succeed.

  • Geelong Waurn Ponds
  • Ballarat
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ManuFutures Accelerate

Accelerating
manufacturing
success

Accelerate is a 6-month manufacturing or product development and business acceleration program. In the 6-months the start-up will be able to develop and refine business strategy and develop a integrated business plan; short-term and long-term.

The primary focus of the ManuFutures Accelerate program is product development and manufacturing validation and scalability validation.

Work with expert business consultants and experienced product developers with access to research outcomes, skills and resources including opportunity to attain industry-ready workforce-of-the-future to build commercialisation success.

Refine business ideas
Develop long and short-term integrated business strategy
Progress product development
Increase manufacturing and scalability validation
Access ManuFutures workspace and infrastructure
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Accelerate program is open to all innovative manufacturing businesses looking for tailored and value add support to scale-up in manufacturing and business development.

If you are a start-up with a great product and need support in your manufacturing business development journey, ManuFutures Accelerate is the program for you!

Participating businesses can be eligible for up to $50,000 of product engineering services from ManuFutures to help their business succeed.

Participants will be required to co-invest for product development services.

  • Geelong Waurn Ponds
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ManuFutures Engage

Innovate your
established
business

Targeted at manufacturing SME’s seeking new ways to innovate, improve existing processes & engineering and grow through product engineering and prototyping.

Using highly-regarded business and technology tools, deliver a roadmap for emerging technologies and new business models. Build ongoing mutually beneficial relationships between emerging companies and Deakin University.

Build integrated strategic engagement
Identify projects for coordinated engagement
Holistic engagement with multiple Deakin Institutes
Access ManuFutures workspace and infrastructure
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This program is right for you if you are a manufacturing SME, and would like to collaborate to better innovate, network and manufacture. The program offers the opportunity to connect with Australia’s leading experts in innovation, product engineering and manufacturing.

The engaging SME can be eligible for up to $50,000 of product engineering services from ManuFutures to help their business succeed.

Participants will be required to co-invest for product development services.

  • Geelong Waurn Ponds
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WHY CHOOSE US

The only facility of this type in Australia, ManuFutures programs provides a doorway to Deakin University’s advanced capabilities and equipment, as well as multidisciplinary business, law and technology expertise.

Located within Geelong’s Future Economy Precinct, home to some of Australia’s and the world’s leading advanced manufacturers, participants work beside them with access to research, business mentors, university students and graduates.

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Contact Us

To find out more about our ManuFutures programs, please fill out our form below.