See Melbourne through the eyes of the Innovation Ecosystem.

Join the University of Melbourne x Wade Institute's Master of Entrepreneurship cohort, for a tour of Melbourne as we explore the city’s innovative past, present, and future.

Starting at Federation Square, we will take a guided walking tour through Melbourne’s economic history, from Indigenous Australia, to the major economic booms following the entrepreneurial migrants. We will understand the city’s modern Innovation and Startup ecosystem and explore how the once richest city in the world now has the potential for economic renaissance through innovation.

The tour will cover site visits and guest speakers along the way:
- Indigenous history & innovations
- First colonial Entrepreneurs of Melbourne
- Victorian Gold Rush & 1880’s Boom
- Victorian Unicorns
- Melbourne’s economy & startup ecosystem
- Future of Melbourne’s Ecosystem
- The Startups, Scaleups, Unicorns, Multinationals and Co-working spaces.
- How you can get more involved in the Startup Ecosystem.

We will also be able to meet and visit some Investors and Scaleups offices headquartered in Melbourne CBD.

Meet
- Please arrive by 1.45pm for a 2pm start at Federation Square (stage)

Finish
- We'll wrap up around 4.45pm at Melbourne's newest AI & Cyber-focused Innovation hub, Natural Velocity in Docklands

Useful Info: Please wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle as we will be doing a lot of walking. Other useful items depending on the weather such as a hat, sunglasses, umbrella, etc. Please bring a Myki card if travelling outside the free tram zone.

Limited places available - Register now to secure your place

Disclaimer: Itinerary subject to change.

Desmond John — *Image description: Male in a white shirt smiling with his hands making peace signs*

Your guide - Desmond John
Desmond is a Community & Ecosystem Builder in the Australian Startup Economy, running events and tours of the Ecosystem under ‘Vibe Guide Ventures’. Once a Backpacker, now turned Tour Guide, Desmond has spent almost 10 years taking Melbourne's visitors around the city he grew up in.
He has worked at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, raised capital for startups in Cremorne at Birchal and run accelerator programs. Desmond also helps run events at The Startup Network, along with Cremorne Digital Hub’s community.
When he is not doing walking tours of the Startup Ecosystem, you’ll find Desmond working on a tourism business he co-owns a tourism business - Drinking History Tours!