Telstra launches new accelerator Muru-D in Sydney

by Editor

The Muru Digital (Muru-D) accelerator is the latest tech startup space in Sydney sponsored by mothership Telstra the Australia telecommunications industry giant.

Based in Paddington at a secure location and in close proximity to the trendy restaurants and fashion outlets in the inner east, this is likely to be one of the more interesting tech and tech enabled (TOTE) startup spaces to watch.

The space has water glimpses and has been fitted out in contemporary startup chic to a high standard for co-working, meetings, events and classrooms as well as a two other separate areas for rooftop BBQ  and also indoor staff kitchen/breakout area. We estimated the size is 500 sqm or so plus the two additional areas.

The founding team is led by –

• Charlotte Yarkoni (Telstra Executive Director, Global Applications & Platforms)
• Ann Parker (recently arrived in Sydney from the UK) and
• Mick Liubinskas (well know local startup leader having been involved in much of the recent ecosystem growth including co-founding incubator Pollenizer and speaking at SydStart).

Others to speak at the event were –

• Malcolm Turnbull – Member for Wentworth (Muru-D is in his electorate) and Federal Minister for Telecommunications.
• Shane Phillips – Board Director for National Centre for Indigenous Excellence. Shane was one of the most interesting speakers of the day, he  who performed the indigenous welcome to country and explained some of the language and history behind the name including an great little history lesson from colonial times.
• Rick Ellis – Telstra Group Managing Director for Media who had the intestinal fortitude to identify the structural benefits of innovation

Ann Parker was previously the head of operations for Wayra the Telefonica (O2) tech startup accelerator program for Europe which spanned a number of countries. Muru-D is expected to follow a similar model and charge startups cash and equity for access to the program which will leverage the extensive Telstra parent resources as well as dedicated expertise in the program itself.

The launch was attended by a large number of well known tech startup and industry luminaries and is a welcome addition to the booming startup ecosystem in Sydney which seems to have an endless appetite for new incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces.

Telstra is facing competition in this externalised innovation space from tradition rival Optus Singtel who sponsor other industry initiatives including SydStart and Fishburners.

Optus Innov8 which has completed a small number of seed investments and is seeking to expand further after a slower than expected start aims to have longer term leverage  accessing the Singtel the ability to promote startups through their corporate ecosystem including hundreds of millions of mobile subscribers in Asia.

Recent management changes at Innov8 and the launch of Muru-D can only be expected to accelerate the ecosystem further and are very welcome additions to the local scene.

Good luck to everyone involved.

Following images by GreatStart.Co