What’s happening behind the historic facade of Lot Fourteen? Meet the dynamic young people making a difference at Adelaide’s innovation hub.

If you’ve walked past Lot Fourteen on North Terrace, you may have noticed the beautifully restored facades of its iconic heritage buildings.

But many South Australians don’t understand the level of innovation happening inside this seven-hectare hub. Let’s lift the lid.

A hub of innovation

Lot Fourteen is home to more than 160 organisations, from ambitious startups to global giants. It’s where cutting-edge projects tackle challenges in artificial intelligence, sustainable space missions, defence technology, and creative industries like visual effects and virtual reality.

Step inside and you’ll find global tech giants working alongside the Australian Space Agency, the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML), and the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre. There’s also the Space Discovery Centre, which inspires visitors to imagine what’s possible beyond Earth.

Backed by a $756 million investment from state and federal governments, Lot Fourteen is still welcoming new tenants.

Over the next two years, these will include the Australian Defence Technologies Academy, BAE Systems Australia, and a Responsible AI Research Centre focused on ethical artificial intelligence – housed inside the AIML.

But what really sets Lot Fourteen apart is its people. More than 1,700 innovators work here, solving problems and shaping the future. We spoke to five young trailblazers who are making their mark at Lot Fourteen.

Gennaro DeMarco: Innovating military aviation

Gennaro DeMarco, an aircraft structures engineer at Ascent, is no stranger to ambition. Still in his 20s, he’s already been named 2024 Australian Defence Industry Innovator of the Year.

Gennaro’s brainchild, AeroATLAS, is a military-focused weight and balance calculation tool transforming the way military aircraft are loaded for missions.

“In commercial aviation, weight and balance is straightforward,” he says. “But in military operations the considerations are a lot more complicated.”

“You’re dropping cargo, people are jumping out the back, and you can even take on fuel mid-air. Nothing on the market readily accounts for these unique factors.”

Gennaro began turning this logistical nightmare into a sleek software solution during downtime in the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, with an assist from the Ascent team, it’s primed to be a game-changer for the Australian Defence Force and beyond.

Gennaro’s journey into aerospace began with a childhood fascination with planes and rockets. After studying aeronautical engineering and cutting his teeth at Boeing, he joined Ascent, where his passion and creativity thrived.

“I’ve always been curious about pushing boundaries,” he says. “AeroATLAS was born out of a desire to solve real-world problems.”

When asked what he likes about Lot Fourteen, Gennaro says: “It’s the culture. Everyone’s passionate and purpose-driven. You’re surrounded by people who inspire you to push boundaries.”

Lauren Springer: Sustainability among the stars

Lauren Springer’s path to the Australian Space Agency began with a fascination for astrophysics sparked during high school. Now, she’s a Space Science & Sustainability Officer helping to tackle issues like space debris and light pollution.

“When satellites cross through the field of view of telescopes, they can leave bright streaks that lead to a loss of astronomical data. It’s a huge issue for researchers,” Lauren says.

Her role also includes international collaborations, ensuring Australia’s voice is heard in global space science policy.

Lauren’s journey was anything but traditional. Initially a literature and English enthusiast, a high school “aha” moment sparked her pivot to astrophysics.

“Hearing Professor Brian Cox describe the poetic nature of space – stars creating diamonds – hooked me,” she says. Despite “having to really work at” physics and maths, Lauren’s determination saw her through a Bachelor of Astrophysics in Perth to a key role at the Australian Space Agency.

She describes working at Lot Fourteen as “electrifying”. “The energy here is infectious,” she says. “Everyone you meet in the lift is working on something incredible.” Her dream? To see Australian researchers at the forefront of sustainable, global space science missions.

Jasmin Ilic: Empowering cyber confidence

Cybersecurity often conjures images of intimidating jargon and endless code. Jasmin Ilic is redefining the narrative. As the founder of CYBR, Jasmin empowers businesses and individuals to tackle cyber threats with confidence.

Her human-centric approach draws on her psychology background. “Cybersecurity isn’t just about tech; it’s about people. If people don’t understand the ‘why’ behind actions, they won’t take them,” she says.

She’s a strong advocate for women in STEM and leads with empathy and creativity.

Jasmin’s career started in communications and later transitioned into IT, where her interest in cybersecurity took root. In 2024, she founded CYBR at Lot Fourteen, blending her technical expertise with a vision to educate and empower others.

“I wanted to create a business that simplifies cybersecurity and inspires confidence rather than fear,” she says.

Jasmin calls Lot Fourteen a “world-class precinct”: “The sense of purpose here is amazing. Everyone’s driven to make a difference, and it’s contagious.”

This article originally appeared in The Post and has been republished here with permission.