ACU Co-Lab named Innovation and Collaboration Space of the Year

ACU's free co-working space and business incubator, Co-Lab, has been named the Innovation and Collaboration Space of the Year at the Triple E's Asia-Pacific Awards.

ACU Co-Lab Project Coordinator Gina d'Albora accepted the award at a gala event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hosted by Management and Science University. The Co-Lab team also took out the People's Choice Award for the same award category.

Launched in 2017, ACU Co-Lab's flexible co-working spaces in North Sydney and Strathfield have supported more than 330 entrepreneurs and start-ups and created more than 370 jobs locally and nationally.

Entrepreneurs and resident start-ups who use Co-Lab have access to business advisors as well as ACU's undergraduate and postgraduate networks who are seeking work-integrated learning opportunities in a range of disciplines.

The award follows an innovation grant awarded to Co-Lab in March 2024 over a four-year funding commitment by the New South Wales government's Boosting Business Innovation Program (BIIP).

ACU's 15-year research project to improve the lives of stroke patients through the implementation of Fever, Sugar, Swallow (FeSS) Protocols also took out third place in the Impactful Research Team of the Year category.

The Quality in Acute Stroke Care research program is currently being trialled in Australia and New Zealand stroke units and services. Stoke is a leading cause of death in Australia, with an average of 23 people dying from strokes each day.

ACU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise Professor Abid Khan congratulated the teams from the Co-Lab team and the Quality in Acute Stroke Care (QASC) on their global recognition at the Triple E Awards.

"ACU's Co-Lab is a leading example of our university's commitment to building thriving communities. Since 2017 the Co-Lab has demonstrated its high economic impact in local and national communities, as well as the growth in community collaboration across seven years of operations".

"Start-ups that have grown through the support of ACU Co-Lab have generated more than $2.4M in funding, leading to hundreds of jobs for Australians."

Regarding ACU's longstanding QASC program, Professor Khan said the ongoing research had resulted in better outcomes for stroke patients and improved global clinical practice.

"The landmark research led by ACU's Dr Sandy Middleton has received numerous awards globally, and most importantly saved the lives of stroke sufferers in nearly 20 European nations, with progress being made in the Australasia trial".

"I congratulate both teams on their recognition at the Triple E Awards this year."

The Triple E global awards, implemented regionally, spotlights the social and economic activities of universities, known as the "third mission".