Perth’s first dedicated home for proptech startups – Proptech Hub WA – opened in early 2021, with the hub quickly gaining the respect and ovation of their peers.
At the end of their first year, during the Freo Startup Fest, co-founders WA’s Cullum (Ash) Ashton and Jeff Leach were recognised with Startup News’ Most Admired Startup Supporters award in a tightly contested field.
We never expected PropTech Hub to grow so quickly, and it is a testament to all supporters from day one. This move forward is an absolutely amazing opportunity for members and strengthens Perth’s position in becoming the PropTech Capital of Australia.
Jeff Leach, Chair of JJ Leach Group
PropTech Hub WA is now planning for further growth following the announcement of a new joint venture with Liberty Flexible Workspaces.
The Hub has sold part of its membership base to Liberty, and as part of the deal, the Hub is committed to running four events over the next two years at one of Liberty’s locations.
The joint venture will also see PropTech Hub expand its initiatives across the Perth metropolitan region and regional Western Australia, with over ten different programs to be delivered, including:
- PropTech collaborative workdays at various industry and Liberty locations,
- South-West Regional PropTech Showcase
- Social Housing & Sustainability Showcase
- PropTech Hub WA Awards
- Property & Construction Industry & Innovation Summit
- PropTech Show Down
- PropTech Accelerator
- Women In PropTech Perth Workshops
- PropTech Radio Show Perth
- PropTech TV Show Perth, including Perth Giants, an investor meets PropTech seeking investment style format showcasing invest deals in Western Australia.
On the horizon are exposure tours to Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, and New York, showing Australia and the world why West is Best.
“With Liberty as the new home for PropTech Hub WA we have secured a pivotal role in supporting the growing property and construction technology community. We believe this collaboration with PropTech will strengthen Liberty’s position as the market leader in flexible workspace solutions in WA, and add value to the PropTech Hub WA membership” said Chief Executive of Liberty, Jamie Vine.
Delivering results in challenging times
PropTech Hub WA’s membership comprises businesses involved in building technology, property management, property search, virtual properties in the metaverse, artificial intelligence, supercomputing, e-settlements, identity verification, and procurement of building suppliers and supplies.
The innovation in PropTech Hub WA cohort is critical in helping industry get through one of the hardest times in recent history. Industry can take advantage to become more efficient, build competitive advantage and utilise innovation to expand outside of Western Australia.
“PropTech Hub WA has focused on this opportunity and brought energy to turn Perth into the PropTech capital of Australia. The PropTech Hub is creating meaningful change that will better impact the future of one of WA’s largest industries and the WA economy as a whole” said Sandra Brewer, Executive Director Property Council Australia.
On the road to becoming the best in the country
PropTech Hub WA’s aspirations to become the PropTech Capital of Australia are also progressing.
Despite competing with states like Victoria and Queensland, where state governments have invested over $600 million each into innovation and the West Australian Government only investing $16.7 million, PropTech Hub said it has created initiatives that no other city in the world has.
These initiatives include the proven capability to connect innovators and industry: members have raised $9.8 million since established 18 months ago in February 2021.
It also includes a radio and television show that is gaining momentum internationally, with Russell Harrower of DRN Radio saying PropTech Hub’s radio show is ranked 82 in Taiwan.
More on the Liberty joint venture to come.
