Grants

Grants of up to $400,000 to establish new pre-accelerators that help university students and research teams launch their startups, with a requirement for 1:1 matched cash contribution from applicants.

Timings for this Grant Round: 

Stage 1

• Round launched: Wednesday 26 February 2025
• Information Session: Thursday 13 March 2025 11am (AEDT) by webinar
• Round Closes: Thursday 22 May 2025 10am (AEST)
• Communications: to unsuccessful and shortlisted applicants by 4 June 2025

Stage 2

• Interviews: Tuesday 10 or Wednesday 11 June 2025
• Communications: to unsuccessful and applicants expected late June
• Contracting: Contract execution with recipients expected in mid-late June
• Announcement: An announcement will follow once contracts are executed

Overview

LaunchVic is seeking to fund the establishment of high-quality Pre-Accelerator Programs delivered by Victorian-based Universities to support aspiring startup entrepreneurs.

• The successfully funded University Pre-Accelerator Programs will:
  Support startup entrepreneurs by helping them bring their startup idea to life and create an MVP; and
• Increase the pipeline of startups being created across Victoria.

This Project will give Victorian Universities the opportunity to apply for funding to develop a greater entrepreneurship focus within the university, and deliver a pre-accelerator program.

Applicants will need to demonstrate a clear need or gap within their university ecosystem, have demonstrable experience growing startups and startup communities (or commit to working with delivery partner/s who do), and request grant funding for a pre-accelerator program that can realistically help aspiring founders to start and grow startups.

View the Program Guidelines 

Watch the Information Session

Read our FAQs

Apply Online

• Alignment with strategy: The proposal is strongly aligned with the LaunchVic Strategy.
• Uniqueness: The applicant is uniquely placed to deliver the proposal.
• Expertise: The applicant possesses the level of professional expertise required to deliver a successful outcome with minimal risk of failure.
• Impact: The applicant has described an excellent program that has a genuine need by the target audience and will impact and benefit the Victorian startup ecosystem.
• Need for funding: There is a credible need for LaunchVic funding.
• Value for money: The program must be value for money.
• Sustainability: The program has a pathway to sustainability, either by creating self-sufficiency or through supporting the startup ecosystem to be more sustainable.

Any proposal that does not meet all of these criteria will not be reviewed.

LaunchVic will endeavour to review all unsolicited proposals, and provide feedback, but is under no obligation to do so.

Any proposal considered appropriate for funding will undergo further assessment and due diligence in accordance with the process for all grants awarded by LaunchVic.

Any approved applicants must also undergo due diligence by LaunchVic.