Geelong co-working space launches incubator program

Geelong-based software company Alivate has added an incubator program to its co-working space, and has already secured Adventure Capital as an investor in a bid to attract start-ups.

Alivate, led by Todd Hubers, offers custom design software. About a year and a half ago, Alivate set up a co-working space called Merevik, located in the heart of the Victorian city, on Ryrie Street.

“We were working out of our garage at home, and obviously wanting to get out of there,” Hubers says.

“I have a friend who came back from London and talked to me about the co-working concept.”

After hearing his friend talk about co-working spaces, Hubers decided to give it a try. Merevik, which has 32 desks and five meeting rooms, currently hosts about eight people.

“We have a lot of people [in Geelong] who travel to Melbourne on the train, so there’s an opportunity there for people to save some time in their life and use the space,” he says.

“I hope to brand it more towards start-ups in Geelong.”

Hubers recently launched an incubator program at Merevik. He has already secured Adventure Capital as an investor for the program, which is described as “uncomplicated”.

Adventure Capital is an early stage digital media and web 2.0 venture fund, focused on advancing the digital and online technology ecosystem.

Hubers is looking for other investors, but they don’t have to be venture funds.

“Even mum and dad investors who would be interested in financing start-up businesses [would be welcome],” he says.

“We’re structuring [the incubator program] to be a meeting place and facilitate start-ups… The idea there is we wouldn’t really handle any legal stuff or anything like that but we would push people in the right direction.

“In the spirit of co-working, Alivate would be giving advice to people.

“One of my experiences is you don’t go straight into investment, patent applications, etc. Try and prove the idea first, and prove your skills, and not run too far ahead.

“We will try and save people from running too far down the wrong path, and at the same time facilitate connections.”