Our design-driven business Champions
Three innovative local businesses have been named Geelong’s first UNESCO City of Design Business Champions.
The Pivot City Innovation District, software engineering company, Codeacious and edible garden design and education business, Ben Shaw Permaculture have been recognised for their creativity and design focus.
Pivot City was the first successful applicant with the revitalised jobs precinct in North Geelong receiving the recognition for its support of Geelong as a UNESCO City of Design after transforming a former manufacturing area into a modern business hub.
Located across the old Woollen Mills and Pilkington Glass Factory sites, the precinct’s owners used clever industrial design and a collaborative business culture to attract more than 50 businesses and 900 workers to the area.
Mayor Bruce Harwood congratulated the team at Pivot City Innovation District for becoming a UNESCO City of Design Champion.
“The reinvention and design of the Pivot City precinct is exactly what we should be aspiring to do as a UNESCO City of Design. It respects Geelong’s heritage while focusing on our design-driven future”.
Mayor Harwood said clever design influences everything in our community. “It shapes our cultural identity, how our city looks, how we care for our people and nurture environment. Plus, it can stimulate great business ideas”.
“The growth of businesses and workers in the Pivot City precinct demonstrates that innovation, collaboration and creative thinking are key ingredients to attracting new business and jobs to our region,” he said.
Geelong’s designation as a UNESCO City of Design is a key driver for realising our community-led 30-year vision to be recognised internationally as a clever and creative city-region.
Pivot City Innovation District Director, Andrew Hamilton said becoming a City of Design Champion was an important way of putting up their hand and saying ‘we’re on board’.
“We have invested in Geelong for the long-haul and are keen to support forward-thinking visions for the city.”
“It’s about creating an exciting place where new businesses, jobs and industries have greater opportunities to collaborate and grow – providing more value for the organisations that make the move here,” he said.
The repurposed site has brought a range of industries to the region, reflecting Geelong’s shifting economy from traditional manufacturing to professional services and advanced manufacturing.
Pivot City Innovation District also has plans to grow the number of workers based in the precinct to 3000 by 2022.
The precinct now includes:
- Infrastructure, manufacturing and environmental businesses
- Software and technology companies
- Business training and acceleration programs.
- Designers and marketers
- Research and development firms
- Accountants and lawyers
- Events companies, and
- Hospitality and health service providers
We’re looking for other innovative businesses and community organisations to become Geelong – UNESCO City of Design Champions. To find out more click ‘Design Champion’ on our homepage.