Fintech leader Afterpay set to expand in Sydney’s Tech Central
NSW has further cemented itself as a global leader in the tech space, with financial technology platform Afterpay confirmed as the second anchor tenant for Sydney’s growing Tech Central precinct.
Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown said the agreement, which follows Atlassian’s 2020 commitment, will make the site the biggest technology hub of its kind in Australia.
“This is about demonstrating to the rest of the world that NSW is serious about supporting innovative companies to grow and invest in the state,” Ms Brown said.
“Tech Central is a natural base to accommodate Afterpay’s continued growth and we are excited about working together to showcase our innovation strength on a global stage.”
Afterpay’s new office will be located in the iconic Brewery Yard in Chippendale, part of the Tech Central Precinct. Slated to open by mid-2023, the new site will more than double Afterpay’s current Sydney office capacity, with an opportunity to expand in the future.
Tech Central, which stretches from Central Station to Camperdown, will become the biggest innovation and technology precinct of its kind in Australia, providing affordable workspace for emerging and digital technology scale-ups as well as industry titans like Afterpay.
In addition, the NSW Government has signed a wide-ranging Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Afterpay to explore opportunities to grow jobs, retain talent and include the company in the promotion of Tech Central and NSW as a global destination for technology investment and talent.
“By partnering with Afterpay we are helping NSW develop and attract key workers in the tech space and critically help keep those skills here,” Ms Brown said.
“The base will also host the company’s visiting international and interstate staff, further boosting Sydney’s standing as a great city to live, work and play in.”
Afterpay Co-founder and Co-CEO Anthony Eisen said the company had come a long way from its humble beginnings in Bondi and he was excited for the company’s next stage of growth.
“Born out of Bondi seven years ago, Afterpay is proud that NSW has been our founding home as we have evolved from a local startup to a globally listed company,” Mr Eisen said.
“We are excited to enter the next phase of our growth here at Tech Central and look forward to working with the NSW Government on attracting and retaining the best talent the state of NSW has to offer.
“Australia has the talent, skills, and lifestyle, as well as infrastructure to be a global leader in technology and innovation. Sydney’s Tech Central is a ringing endorsement of our huge potential.”
The MoU will be facilitated by Investment NSW, the government’s lead agency tasked with driving economic benefits for NSW and creating sustainable jobs in high priority, future-orientated industries.