LaunchVic is Victoria’s startup agency, fuelling the growth of Victoria’s startup sector.

We build the capability and confidence of Victorians, so they have the skills to start, grow, invest in, or work for globally impactful tech startups.

Our purpose is to drive the long-term success of Victoria’s startup ecosystem, with the goals of:

• Supporting the creation and growth of more successful startups.
• Unlocking startup investment capital.
• Creating more high value, high skilled jobs in Victoria.

LaunchVic supports founders through accelerator programs, direct grants and investment funds, to open up more seed funding opportunities for startups.

For a full list of current opportunities, visit our Founders page. 

LaunchVic has funded several programs for investors wanting to learn more about the Victorian startup ecosystem.

This includes:

• Angel networks that connect investors with early-stage deals.
• VC Catalyst, an education program providing the knowledge, skills, confidence and networks to invest in early-stage startups.

Please find more information for investors here.

We are reviewing our approach to sponsorship and are unlikely to be making any major sponsorships in the current financial year.

We fund a variety of programs and networks to support development across the ecosystem, including:

• Pre-accelerator programs: provide aspiring entrepreneurs with networks, support and mentorship to test out their startup ideas.
• Accelerator programs: help early-stage startups find product market-fit and secure seed funding.
• Angel Networks: allow sophisticated investors to form syndicates and invest in startups.
• VC Funds: allow scaling startups to access investment.

For a full list of opportunities, visit our programs page. 

LaunchVic has a responsibility to maximise the impact of the funds it administers. This can, in certain circumstances include investing into programs, rather than granting funds, to drive a return on investment. Any returns can then be recycled to generate even greater impacts for the Victorian startup ecosystem.

LaunchVic defines a startup as an innovative, technology-based business that can scale rapidly and capture mass markets.

Innovation is at its core. It may be for example, solving a unique problem, providing a unique solute, addressing a perceived market gap or disrupting a market.

The product is built on technology, or the service is enabled by technology.

List of possible technologies

• Software or Application
  • Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Blockchain
  • big data analytics
  • E-commerce (e.g., marketplace)
  • Augmented or Virtual reality
  • Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Hardware
• Advanced materials
• Advanced manufacturing
• Robotics
• Sensor technology
• Autonomous Vehicles
• Deep tech
• Quantum technology
• Other technology (not listed).

It has the potential to grow fast.

The product or service and its application are not defined by bricks and mortar or borders. It has mass market/global appeal and can operate/easily service these markets.

A Scaleup is a hyper-growth startup that has raised at least AUD$5m in a single round and currently has at least 10 employees, no more than 20 years since founding and has a valuation of greater than AUD$30m.

The startup ecosystem is made up of founders, investors, startup employees, community organisations, corporates and government. Working together, we can collectively create a pipeline of successfully scaling startups that contribute to jobs and Gross Domestic Product.