The NEM Foundation has announced a new tech centre in Melbourne, Australia.

The Singapore-based non-profit organisation says that this will be a business incubator and a support hub for NEM-based blockchain startups. It also has plans to host blockchain events and educational programmes.

“The launch of the NEM Blockchain Hub in Melbourne is a strong sign of our commitment towards supporting innovation in Australia and the world,” says Jian Chan, NEM Foundation lead in Australia and New Zealand.

NEM is present in 40 countries

“Having first launched our Australian operations at the FinTech Australia Intersekt Festival last year, NEM is now present in over 40 countries,” Chan states.

The organisation, founded in 2015, enjoys grassroots support in Australia and has partnered with local firms such as TravelByBit. In New Zealand, NEM has various agreements with local startups to promote the implementation of the blockchain.

The Aussie government-run blockchain startup support programme called LaunchVic has welcomed the initiative.

“Blockchain is a fast-growing and evolving technology, and LaunchVic is pleased to welcome NEM Foundation to the Victorian Innovation Hub,” says Kate Cornick, CEO of LaunchVic. “This is set to become a multi-sector co-working facility that celebrates collaboration and innovation for more than 360 of Australia’s top startups, accelerators and incubators.”

“There is a demand within our community to understand the difference between various blockchain protocols, and we are glad that we can work with NEM on this,” notes Karen Cohen, General Manager of the Blockchain Centre, which will also work alongside the Singaporean organisation.