Deadline extended: The deadline for Expressions of Interest to establish a new digital games co-working space has been extended to 5pm, Sunday 5 May 2024.
The Victorian Government previously announced up to $2.5 million to support the establishment of a digital games industry co-working/co-location space in Melbourne.
The Victorian Government, through Creative Victoria and in partnership with VicScreen, is now seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for organisations or individuals to submit proposals for establishing this co-working/co-location space.
The objectives of the new co-working/co-location space are to
- Support long term industry growth across a range of businesses from early stage to established level through knowledge sharing, co-location and collaboration
- Promote Victoria as a powerhouse for digital games and screen production
- Support professional and career development in the digital games industry Support business owners to establish and apply good business practices, including maintaining a safe, respectful and diverse workplace.
Through the EOI process, we invite innovative strategies and proposals that align with the objectives of the project.
The EOI provides interested parties (including consortia) the opportunity to articulate a proposal that responds to and aligns with, the objectives, supported by evidence of capability and financial capacity to deliver proposed outcomes.
Respondents will need to demonstrate how their proposed model meets the key objectives listed above.
Further to the above objectives, EOIs should propose a model that:
- Meets the different needs of membership groups, from early stage through to established.
- Supports the inclusion of a curated mix of multi-disciplinary tenants working in different genres and businesses across the games sector.
- Builds community
- Addresses the gap in co-working/co-location models and complements the existing digital games industry in Victoria.
- Facilitates networking opportunities and connections across the industry and provides access to shared resources.
- Provides a progression pathway within the space structure so that early and mid-lifecycle businesses can evolve and grow.
Submissions must follow the evaluation criteria listed in Section 8 Part A of the guidelines, see. These include:
- Business Model: a Business Model Outline and Budget, including a forecast for long term viability
- Community and Space Plan: A summary of the requirements of the proposed space (e.g. short-term space, long-term space, casual-space requirements, based on comparable operations). Plus an overview on the methodology for establishing a co-working/co-location space.
- An overview of the Governance, Team and Capability structure
- The Social and Environmental benefits of the space to the sector and community including how its response aligns with other Victorian State Government policies, including where appropriate VICSCREEN and Creative State Strategy 2025.
This is a competitive selection process which may include a phase of negotiation with one or more Respondents after initial evaluation of proposals. Creative Victoria, or its delegate, may enter into an agreement with the successful Respondent.
It is expected that proposals will be evaluated in May 2024 with funding agreement negotiations expected to conclude before August 2024, subject to Victorian Government approval.
Responses received at the conclusion of the EOI stage will be assessed by an evaluation panel comprising representatives of VicScreen and Creative Victoria. The evaluation panel will include expert industry views. Following initial assessment, the evaluation panel may seek clarifying information from one or more Respondents about the content of their proposals. In such a case, the evaluation panel may provide a Respondent with written questions, request attendance at an interview or both. Respondents will be given adequate time to address questions raised by the panel.
Once the evaluation panel is satisfied with the level of information it has received, it will rank proposals according to the selection criteria and make a recommendation to the Minister for Creative Industries about next steps. The panel may find that more than one, only one, or no Respondent has put forward a proposal addressing the selection criteria well enough to proceed to negotiation of a funding agreement.
If a Respondent has put forward a proposal that adequately addresses the selection criteria and is approved by the Victorian Government, Creative Victoria or its delegate will be directed to award a contract.
The Victorian Government through Creative Victoria reserves the right not to progress any proposal to shortlist, negotiation, or funding agreement stage.