Innovation Central Melbourne

Where businesses meet breakthroughs. Backed by Cisco and powered by La Trobe University, Innovation Central Melbourne helps you co-design, prototype, and deploy cutting-edge technology fast. Become the disruptor, not the disrupted.

About

Innovating for Impact

Based at La Trobe University, Innovation Central Melbourne (ICM) helps businesses connect with researchers, government, and industry partners to develop solutions across digital technology, health, biotech, and agriculture. As part of Cisco’s National Industry Innovation Network, ICM provides access to expertise, facilities, and connections to accelerate commercially focused research and development.

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Our Capabilities

We specialise in co-design and rapid prototyping, helping tackle complex technological challenges through structured discovery and solution mapping.

Bringing together expertise in data science, software engineering, digital design, research, learning and development, and commercial prototyping to support digital transformation.

From short-term research and development sprints to long-term collaborative research, ICM provides the tools, talent, and flexibility needed to move from concept to outcome.

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Success Stories

Explore our successful projects with other organisations and how we’ve co-created digital solutions.

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Members and Collaborators

Innovation Central Melbourne operates in partnership within La Trobe University, Cisco, and Optus. Together, we collaborate across sectors to accelerate the integration of digital technologies, bridging research, industry expertise, and infrastructure to enable practical innovation at scale.

We specialise in:

Co-Design and Rapid Prototyping

ICM helps businesses take the first step when the problem, and even the solution is unclear. We run structured co-design sprints to define challenges, uncover hidden opportunities within existing infrastructure, and move quickly to prototype and test solutions.

Applied AI and Computer Vision

Leveraging La Trobe’s research strengths and Cisco’s engineering platforms, ICM develops AI-powered tools for real-time monitoring, computer vision, and advanced analytics. We harness the network as a platform—enabling insights into workforce dynamics and deploying AI-enabled drone robotics for complex indoor environments.

Smart Infrastructure and IoT Integration

ICM builds real-world systems like digital twins, smart networks, and workplace utilisation tools, often using infrastructure customers already own. We bridge operational needs with connected technologies.

Digital Strategy and Platform Innovation

We help organisations get more from the digital platforms they already use - unlocking hidden capabilities, improving integration, and driving new business outcomes. ICM supports innovation-led transformation by turning existing infrastructure into an opportunity for improvement and growth.

Student Talent and Internships

ICM integrates La Trobe students into live projects through internships and the NIIN MasterTech program. It’s a low-risk, high-impact way to access emerging talent while shaping the workforce of the future. With the establishment of the NIIN Alumni Program, our capacity to support you is growing.

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Have a Question?

If you would like to explore our services or find out more about Innovation Central Melbourne, please contact us.

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