Digital Harbour, an emerging commercial 'urban campus' founded on the application of innovative technologies in 'green' buildings, at Melbourne Docklands, is creating a new marketplace where the merchandise for sale is innovation and the vendors and buyers are some of Australia's leading businesses.

When you think of a market the colourful image of a melting pot of vendors' spruiking their wares, comes to mind. But a new type of marketplace is setting the Docklands alive and is bringing together businesses that share a common interest in technological innovation, to exchange ideas, provide complementary services, and build and transfer knowledge and expertise.

Digital Harbour, a vibrant commercial property precinct, has more than just office space on its agenda. According to executive director David Napier, the precinct is setting out to establish Australia's first real marketplace founded on technology innovation, where businesses both small and large can come together and exchange ideas and expertise, product and services, in an environment that supports collaboration.

Already the precinct has attracted some of Australia's best known businesses, including Telstra, Australian Customs Services, VicTrack, Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), which according to David has provided the necessary 'honey pots' to attract the smaller players that want to be around the big users of leading edge technology.

"Big users of technology, such as Australian Customs, can source cutting edge solutions from innovative smaller players, while at the same time leverage the expertise and new research that is coming out of Telstra. It's all about bringing together the users and producers of technology to work together to further their company's growth," said David. He adds, "The one thing that all of these businesses have in common is that technology is at the heart of what they do. Whether they are a producer of an innovative technological solution, or perhaps they are a business that relies on the application of innovative technology to remain competitive and a leader in their market segment, having direct access to the expertise, networks and market to support their business's growth and development delivers a unique competitive advantage."

Demand to be part of this growing innovation community has been strong. Digital Harbour's latest addition, the nine story 1010 Latrobe Street building which has only recently been completed is fully tenanted, while it's new development, Life.Lab, offering a range of accommodation solutions for businesses keen to live, work and play in the area, is already 50 per cent pre-sold.

The next development for the precinct is 1000 La Trobe Street, which is looking to attract large multinational corporations to complement the small-medium enterprises that are tenanting some the precincts other spaces.

"It's fantastic the response we have been getting from businesses keen to be part of the community," said David. "Our focus going forward is to ensure we attract the right mix of businesses to the precinct to create a balance of small and large companies, technology producers and users, to support the development of the market place."

For more information on Digital Harbour visit www.digitalharbour.com.au