Funding the startup infrastructure

LaunchVic drives the startup ecosystem by investing in organisations (service providers) that will deliver quality programs to support Victorian startups and investors.

While we do not fund startups directly, the programs we fund aim to provide the services needed to assist early-stage and scaling startups through their journey.

LaunchVic provides funding through a range of mechanisms that target startup sector specialists who can deliver programs and support to Victorian startups in the form of education, incubators, accelerators, mentoring, professional development, events and other programs. LaunchVic also provides funding to improve the capability of investors through educational programs, events and support for angel networks.

If you have a question regarding LaunchVic funding, click the link below to send us an enquiry.

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Open Grants

GRANTS FOR WOMEN’S PRE-ACCELERATOR PROGRAMS

Supporting early-stage women startup entrepreneurs

Up to $300,000 available for Pre-Accelerator programs supporting women startup entrepreneurs

Timings for this grant round

Stage 1

Round launched: 1 March 2023
Information Session: Thursday, 23 March 2023 Watch the webinar recording
Round Closes: Thursday, 20 April 2023 10am (AEST)
Communications: to unsuccessful and applicants moving to Stage 2 by 5 May 2023

Stage 2

Virtual Pitch Day: Monday, 29 May 2023
Communications: to unsuccessful and applicants moving to the next stage late
May/early June
Contracting: Contract execution with recipients expected in June 2023
Announcement: An announcement will follow once contracts are executed

OVERVIEW

LaunchVic’s soon to be released 2022 Victorian Startup Ecosystem Mapping Report shows that while 34% of Victorian startups have at least one woman founder or co-founder, about 66% of startups have male-only founders. Although over recent years the total number of women led startups has increased, it has not outpaced the growth of male-only startups, and more support is needed to ensure the continued growth in the number of women-led startups.

LaunchVic is committed to continuing to build the pipeline of women founded companies to ensure Victoria has a diverse and inclusive startup ecosystem and we have funded a number of programs in the past supporting women to launch and grow a startup. We are seeking applications from new programs that will continue to support women-led founders establish and grow startups.

LaunchVic is seeking to provide funding for high-quality women-focused Pre-Accelerator Programs delivered by startup experts across the State. The successfully funded Pre-Accelerator Programs will:

Support women startup entrepreneurs by helping them bring their technology focused startup idea to life and create an MVP;
Increase the the pipeline of women-led startups being created across Victoria; and
Increase the pipeline of quality women-led startups entering accelerator programs in Victoria.

View the Program Guidelines

Apply Online

Read our FAQs

VICTORIAN AGTECH ANGEL NETWORK GRANT PROGRAM

Building a robust investor community and AgTech ecosystem

Up to $300,000 available to establish Victoria’s first dedicated angel network for AgTech startups.

Timings for this grant round:

Stage 1
Round launched:	Tuesday 21 February 2023
Information Session:	Tuesday 7 March 2023 Watch the recording
Round Closes:	Friday 5 May 2023 10:00am (AEDT)
Communications:	To applicants moving to Stage 2 by Friday 12 May 2023
Stage 2
Virtual Pitch Day:	via Zoom Monday 29 May 2023
Due Diligence:	Requested information due by Monday 29 May 2023
Communications:	To applicants moving to Stage 3 by Friday 2 June 2023
Stage 3
Contracting:	We expect to contract successful applicants in June
2023
Announcement:	An announcement will follow once contracts executed

Overview

LaunchVic has again partnered with Agriculture Victoria to increase support for early-stage AgTech startups across Victoria by activating a dedicated Angel Network specialising in making seed investments in AgTech startups.

AgTech can have a significant impact on Australia’s agricultural sector’s growth. The total value of the global AgTech market is expected to reach $22.5 billion by 2025 (an estimated growth rate of 150% from 2020). Despite Victoria having all the elements to be a national leader in AgTech, support is needed to help AgTech startups further develop their capability and move to the next stage of growth quickly. Victoria’s AgTech sector has enormous potential and, with the right support, is predicted to achieve revenues of $350 million and employ 2500 FTEs by 2025.

LaunchVic has, to date, supported ten Angel Networks to help build a robust Victorian Investor Community and to unlock more capital for Victorian Startups. However, none of these networks focus solely on the AgTech sector. In his 2019 Angel Network report, Professor Josh Lerner recommended that LaunchVic establish sector specific Angel Networks to help drive success in industry verticals. LaunchVic and Agriculture Victoria believe the time is right to action this for the agriculture sector.

View the Program Guidelines

Watch the Information Session

Apply Online

Read our FAQs

AGTECH GRANTS PROGRAM

Supporting Early-Stage AgTech Startups

$50,000 grants for AgTech founders.

Timings for this grant round:

Grant Program launched:	21 February 2023
Information Session:	Thursday 2 March 2023 View the info session webinar
Committee review dates:	Bi-monthly from May 2023
Assessment begins:	May 2023
Assessment timeline:	Approximately 3 weeks
Closes:	When all funds are fully allocated, or by June 30 2024
Announcement:	Via the LaunchVic website

Overview

LaunchVic has again partnered with Agriculture Victoria to increase support for early-stage AgTech startups across Victoria by rapidly providing small amounts of working capital to help startups build capability and move to the next stage of growth.

As well as providing funding to cover operating costs that build startup capability and growth for early-stage AgTech startups, the grant will provide access to business development services that will enable founders to access the best possible support and advice to build their businesses, grow jobs and support Victoria’s economic growth.

View the Program Guidelines

Apply Online

Read our FAQs

Previously Funded

Grants for scale, reach and impact

Opened: Monday, 11 April 2016
Closed: Friday, 6 May 2016

Victoria’s startup community received a $6.5 million boost, with the first round of LaunchVic grants supporting 18 projects across the state.

Projects funded in this round range from large ideas for startup hubs, incubators and accelerators, to smaller ideas that would enable established organisations to increase their scale, reach and impact.

The large ideas were designed for a small number of sizable proposals from both new and existing organisations that significantly enhance Victoria’s startup ecosystem (rather than startups themselves).

We encouraged applications for smaller initiatives or projects that build startup infrastructure in underdeveloped areas like, regional locations, social entrepreneurs and diversity.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Description
Bright Sparks	RMIT University	$100,000	Bright Sparks is a leadership program to inspire, connect and prepare the next generation of female entrepreneurs in Victoria. Female students, alumni and staff at RMIT will be given a head start in business through a network of Australian and international mentors and an intensive leadership program in San Francisco.
Digital Marketing Makerspace	Western BACE	$50,000	The only combined co-working space and business accelerator in Western Melbourne’s Growth Corridor will receive funding to create the “Digital BACE marketing makerspace”. Local startups will be given expert support to use 3D printing, virtual reality software, computers and video cameras for marketing activities.
Employment based social enterprise pipeline	Social Traders	$100,000	Focusing on jobs for people facing barriers to work – in Melbourne, Traralgon and Wangaratta – this program will strengthen the pipeline of accelerator-ready social enterprise ideas through workshops, networking events, clinics and pitch fests targeting women, youth and multi-cultural groups.
Fintech Melbourne	Fintech Melbourne	$30,000	Fintech Melbourne is a community run organisation for the benefit of the Victorian fintech community. It is Australia’s largest fintech community with 1800 members and provides tremendous value and support to the local ecosystem. This has all been accomplished through volunteer efforts but due to the scale of events, support is required to make Fintech Melbourne sustainable in the long term.
Launch Clubs	The Foundation for Young Australians	$75,000	Launch Clubs aims to harness the energy and passion of young Victorians and build a network of local hubs, based in regional communities, where young people develop the skills and capabilities to test and launch their own enterprises. There is an urgent and vital need to support young people in regional Victoria to develop entrepreneurial skills that can open pathways to self-employment, job creation and the revitalisation of regional economies. Launch Clubs will be trialed in Bendigo and Traralgon and is designed so the model can be scaled State-wide.
Lemonade Stand: startups for kids	Collective Campus	$100,000	Lemonade Stand is a two-day business building and entrepreneur program for 9-12 year olds, currently run during school holidays. LaunchVic funding will help expand the program into schools and online, significantly increasing the scale and reach of the program and inspiring a new generation of young entrepreneurs.
Young Entrepreneurs Mentoring Scheme	iGen Foundation	$70,000	Your Mentor pilot provides 15-30 year olds with entrepreneurial skills and knowledge as well as the networks to help them unlock doors to new business opportunities.
A world class tech and startup destination	Convenory Campus	$200,000	Convenory Campus aims to build a world class tech and startup destination featuring share-laboratories, conference facilities, hardware assembly, on-demand childcare and co-working zones. LaunchVic funding will lay the foundation for the Convenory team to bring their vision to reality.
Australian Sports Technologies Network	Australian Sports Technologies Network Ltd	$280,000	Melbourne is a world leader in sport – now the aim is to make Melbourne the world leader in sports technology. LaunchVic funding will enable an entrepreneur-in-residence – supporting 15-20 sports tech startups over a two year period – as well as development of a best practice playbook and hosting of a World Championships for Sports Analytics.
CyRise Cyber Security Accelerator	Dimension Data & Deakin University	$450,000	Dimension Data and Deakin University will set up a cyber security accelerator to boost the development of unique cyber security solutions and intellectual property. The program will offer unique connections to corporate Australia for cyber security startups and have links to Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus.
FAB9 Makerspace	FAB9	$1,000,000	FAB9 is a makerspace purpose-built so founders can access the training, tools and prototyping equipment needed to turn ideas into physical realities. FAB9 is made up of five distinct labs under one roof, including a Timber shop, a Digital Fabrication lab, a CNC lab, an Electronics lab and a Metal shop. Each lab is designed for working with different materials and making processes.
Harnessing the experienced economy	Fifth Institute	$200,000	Startups aren’t just for the young. The Fifth Institute aims to lift the number and success rate of startups emerging from the experienced economy. This will tap into the emergence of ‘seniorpreneurs” as the fastest growing segment of new business owners in Australia.
Launching agtech startups	Rocket Seeder	$675,000	A startup accelerator program focusing on supporting innovation in agricultural technology, Rocket Seeder will support motivated agtech entrepreneurs with a comprehensive coaching program and will connect them with mentors, industry partners, and investors. Linking city and country, there will be a Melbourne-based hub with programs initially in Shepparton, Sale, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Colac, Horsham, Wodonga, Mildura and Warrnambool.
Regional Accelerator Program	La Trobe University	$1,000,000	A regional accelerator program, led by La Trobe University and including Federation and Deakin Universities, will harness the best and brightest minds of regional Victoria to boost the economy and agricultural jobs. Participants will have access to funding, office space, structured mentoring programs, networking and local, national and international pitching opportunities.
Runway	Runway	$1,250,000	This major startup initiative in Geelong will act as a catalyst for innovation in the region, creating new businesses and jobs through the provision of mentoring, networks, training and access to venture capital. Its objective is to launch a startup culture in Geelong that will establish the city as a global centre for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Startupbootcamp Energy Australia	Startupbootcamp	$600,000	Startupbootcamp, the world-renowned accelerator network has received LaunchVic funding to develop and scale startups innovating and disrupting the Energy sector. Startupbootcamp accelerator programs offer startups access to a global investor and mentor network, which will encourage companies to look to Melbourne for solving problems in Energy Efficiency, Energy Independence, Digitisation and Analytics.
Fintech Ecosystem	Fintech	$300,000	LaunchVic has entered into an exclusive partner arrangement with FinTech Australia to host the inaugural FinTech Australia conference in Melbourne in November this year. This will be the largest gathering of domestic and international FinTech players in the country and will be a major boost for the local community. In addition, LaunchVic in partnership with the Victorian Government and the FinTech community, will soon be developing a FinTech strategy to guide the development of, and investment in, the FinTech ecosystem in Victoria.
Startup Victoria	Startup Victoria	$300,000	LaunchVic has partnered with Startup Victoria to deliver two key projects for the Victorian startup community. The first involves developing a digital platform that will be a single source for the Victorian startup ecosystem to find information about events, jobs and funding opportunities. Startup Victoria will also undertake extensive mapping of the ecosystem providing deeper insights into the current state of the ecosystem and how we should direct our efforts to stimulate growth.

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Grants for scale, accessibility and diversity

Opened: Friday, 30 September 2016
Closed: Friday, 11 November 2016

Our second round of funding invited both large and small initiatives that increased the scale, accessibility and diversity of Victoria’s startup sector across a number of industries including health, education and technology.

LaunchVic encouraged applications from high-quality programs that would position Victoria as a leader in collaboration and diversity.

Large ideas were expected to engage locally, nationally and internationally to enhance and forge new collaborations, drive services across the ecosystem and create new and robust networks.

We encouraged applications for smaller initiatives or projects that build startup infrastructure in underdeveloped areas like, regional locations, social entrepreneurs and diversity.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Description
The Frankston Foundry	The Frankston Foundry	$154,500	The Frankston Foundry was launched in 2016 to provide a co-working space and startup incubator for entrepreneurs and technical professionals across the bayside and Mornington Peninsula region. It is committed to actively connect within Victoria’s startup ecosystem by facilitating networks between its regional entrepreneurs and the Melbourne sector. In 2017, the Frankston Foundry will hire a dedicated community manager role, and develop a program of events, including an annual hackathon, to turbo charge innovation on the Peninsula.
#SheHacks Victoria	Girl Geek Academy	$300,000	Girl Geek Academy is a global movement encouraging women to learn technology and create startups. Currently operating in Australia and the United States, Girl Geek Academy is committed to increase inclusion and greater representation of women and female founders in the startup ecosystem. In 2017, Girl Geek Academy will present #SheHacks Victoria – a high profile hackathon event and startup competition for over 200 women. With a focus on University students, the first Victorian statewide program will offer participants the opportunity to attend bootcamps in Melbourne, Warrnambool, Warragul and Bendigo, join a startup team, build an MVP and receive ongoing mentoring. Finalists will showcase their startups at the #SheHacks Victoria Demo Day.
Startmate Melbourne	Startmate	$384,000	Startmate is one of Australia’s most successful startup accelerator programs with a deep, experienced technology mentor network, and a proven track record in connecting Australian founders to global knowledge and capital. Startmate has chosen to open its program and establish its operations in Melbourne, and will accelerate 16 local tech companies over 2 years including a regional roadshow program that will connect with tech entrepreneurs in Geelong, Shepparton, Albury/Wodonga, Ballarat and the La Trobe Valley. They will create a Melbourne Startmate mentor network of 50+ of the most successful technology founders and executives who will invest in Victorian Startmate companies.
ACMI X CreativeTech Laboratory	ACMI	$398,000	ACMI is the world’s busiest museum of the moving image and is highly regarded as an industry leader in the development and promotion of creative industries. In 2016, ACMI opened ACMI X – a co-working space for local digital creative professionals – and a world first for a major cultural institution. ACMI will now extend its co-working space to include a CreativeTech Laboratory to incubate and grow creative startups. The laboratory will support 8 new creative companies through mentoring and facilitating connections with industry and universities. The ACMI X CreativeTech Lab will give both ACMI X participants and the wider creative tech startups access to the Museum’s huge public audience to test, refine and promote projects, as well as showcase outcomes to the industry, investor and international audiences that visit ACMI.
Disability and Health Care Innovation Hub and Incubator	Impact Co	$500,000	Impact Co is a Melbourne based social enterprise committed to innovation in the disability and health care sectors. It actively supports cultivating creative and disruptive solutions, and aims to drive greater diversity within the startup ecosystem including entrepreneurs with a disability. Impact Co will establish an incubation program, The Good Incubator, and launch an innovation hub that supports startups and entrepreneurs to drive change within the disability sector. The hub will bring together community, consumers, businesses, entrepreneurs and startups to work collaboratively while offering a place for people with a disability, chronic health condition and older people to cultivate their own business ideas.
Edupreneur 2017	Education Changemakers	$87,000	Melbourne-based Education Changemakers is behind Australia’s growing movement of educational entrepreneurship through teacher led innovation. It has gained international recognition for its Educhange Festival and thought leadership through its book Edupreneur – an examination of change and opportunity at the intersection of education and entrepreneurship. In 2017 Education Changemakers will present the inaugural nation-wide industry event, Edupreneur 2017, in Melbourne as part of the annual Educhange Festival. The three-day major industry event aims to inspire innovation in education and facilitate clustering of education startups. It will also run a regional roadshow of the event in Geelong, Shepparton, Warrnambool and Mildura.
Outcome-Hub	Outcome.Life	$94,510	Outcome.life is a Melbourne based organisation focused on assisting Internationals transitioning from study to the professional workforce in Victoria. Outcome.life has established a co-working space, Outcome-Hub and in 2017 it will expand this hub to include an incubator that will support international student entrepreneurs. The hub will also match students interested in working in startups in internships at Victorian based startups through an online portal. A comprehensive events program will support the hub and inspire more internationals to get involved in the startup ecosystem.

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Grants to increase participation for migrants and refugees

Opened: Thursday, 1 June 2017
Closed: Wednesday, 5 July 2017

LaunchVic’s third funding round invited proposals for programs that improve access and participation in the Victorian startup ecosystem for first generation migrants and refugees.

Migrants and refugees are recognised as important contributors to successful startup ecosystems. They are known to have high risk appetites, having started a new life in a new country – often with no capital, no credit history, no assets, and no security. The risk-taking that defines a migrant’s experience often continues as they embark on entrepreneurial journeys to establish themselves.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Description
Startup Playbook and Meetups	Hatch Quarter	$71,500	Hatch Quarter is a vibrant innovation hub and co-working space for entrepreneurs, startups and professionals. With LaunchVic funding, Hatch Quarter will create a playbook to help first generation migrants and refugees who seek to launch a startup and successfully integrate themselves into the Victorian startup ecosystem. The Hatch Quarter will also deliver a number of meetups to build a supportive community for international startup entrepreneurs.
The Generation Launch	Unbound (formerly Laika Academy)	$322,500	Unbound is a Victorian educational social enterprise that is passionate about creating a diverse startup sector through cross-cultural and engaging learning experiences. LaunchVic’s funding will enable Unbound to create The Generation Launch, an innovative program to support migrants, refugees and new Australians to actively join the Victorian startup ecosystem, and support them to create the next generation of successful high-growth ventures. The program will include: knowledge-building workshops that will support startups to launch; startup intensives to build practical skills; educational programs in collaboration with institutions to embed startup skills; and networking events to encourage and connect startup entrepreneurs into the community.
Cultov8	Enterprising Partnerships	$452,000	Enterprising Partnerships has over 20 years of experience supporting innovative programs in diverse communities. In 2016, they piloted Cultov8, a pre-accelerator program for young migrants and refugees. LaunchVic funding will enable Cultov8 to run 10 hackathons across the Victoria including Geelong, Shepparton, Ballarat, Broadmeadows and Dandenong. 300 first generation migrants, refugees and asylum seekers aged between 18-30 years will benefit from this program. Cultov8 will also include a 12 week pre-accelerator that will benefit 80 startup entrepreneurs with support on consolidating their startup ideas and teams and learning startup skills. They will also be provided mentoring, business coaching, peer learning and online learning tools.
YGAP First Gens	YGAP	$304,000	YGAP is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to use entrepreneurship to help improve the lives of people living in disadvantage in a significant and measurable way. They have successfully run a world class accelerator program that has backed over 300 early stage impact ventures founded by locals in Africa, Asia and Australia. LaunchVic funding will allow YGAP to expand their program to create YGAP First Gens to support 36 startups led by new migrants or refugees. This program includes a series of workshops in Melbourne and rural centres to help build startups around problems affecting at risk or disadvantaged refugees and or migrants; an intensive early stage accelerator program; and incubator to provide additional support for ventures.
Now to Launch	Free to Feed	$245,770	Free to Feed is a not-for-profit social enterprise that engages refugees and new migrants in a range of innovative food based enterprises. LaunchVic funding will enable Free to Feed to establish Now to Launch a food enterprise hub and startup incubator dedicated to nurturing and showcasing the diverse food entrepreneurialism of Victoria’s refugees and new migrants. The program will offer 60 startup entrepreneurs from Melbourne and regional Victoria the chance to take their dynamic, high growth food startup concepts from now to launch.

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Grants for Founder Education

Opened: Wednesday, 2 August 2017
Closed: Thursday 21 September 2017

Our fourth round of funding was designed to help position Victoria as an internationally recognised startup ecosystem, by educating the Victorian founder community in the areas they need it the most.

This was a competitive grant round for shortlisted organisations who can deliver education programs on investment support and pitching to Victoria’s community of startup founders.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Category	Description
Going Global: Growth and Export Strategies for Healthtech	BioMelbourne Network	$97,000	Export & Growth	BioMelbourne Network will support HealthTech founders of companies who have strategic intent to expand into global markets. The program will bring international experts to Melbourne, to deliver skills-based workshops on global regulatory, reimbursement, market access and commercialisation strategies, with a focus on key export markets in US, UK, EU, China and India.
Legal and Business Agreement Basics	Burch + Co	$219,700	Corporate Governance	Burch + Co Lawyers will educate founders on the basic legal considerations through the lifecycle of a startup, including the responsibilities of being a founder and director and how to develop internal and shareholder agreements.
The 7 Secrets To Success With Investors	Catapult Business Accelerator	$228,625	Investment Support	Catapult Business Accelerator will deliver an investor education program, providing deep insights into what gets investors on the founder’s side: the right time to connect with investors; building relationships and communicating with investors; financial forecasts; equity; pitching and networking.
How To Tell The Story of Your Startup	Character	$140,000	Marketing Support	Character will provide founders with practical, hands-on advice on how to tell the story of their startup. The program will equip them with the tools and templates they need to generate meaningful public relations and marketing results with a focus on brand story, stakeholder engagement and key communication messages.
Lean Products, Sustainable Businesses	Cogent.Co	$250,000	Product Development	Cogent will help founders build sustainable businesses through learning practical product design, development, and management taught by leading expert practitioners.
In Common: A program for people building companies around products and technology.	Common Code	$154,440	Product Development	Common Code will educate technical and non-technical founders on how to align their business goals to their technology asset, how to effectively communicate with a design and development teams and how to make informed technical decisions.
Execution = People + Culture + Leadership	DifferenThinking	$185,000	Personal Leadership & Development	DifferenThinking will provide founders with the tools needed to develop their people, leadership and culture skills through all stages of the startup life cycle.
Creating Investment Ready Startups	EM Advisory	$240,000	Investment Support	EM Advisory uses tried and tested tools to help founders and their teams to create and test their thinking, so they become investment ready. Startups will finish the program ready to present to investors and clearly articulate a simple coherent investment thesis and go to market strategy.
Founder Pathway to Investment	Innovation Bay	$110,000	Investment Support	Innovation Bay will equip early stage founders with the knowledge and tools to effectively craft an investment pitch, engage investors and understand the investment process. Founders will receive expert mentoring and an opportunity to present to Innovation Bay’s network of investors.
Customer Driven Innovation Program	Inventium	$100,000	Personal Leadership and Development	Inventium will teach founders online a best-practice approach to innovation, based on science. It will help founders identify customer driven opportunities, learn tools to generate breakthrough solutions and make effective decisions and how to quickly and cheaply prototype ideas.
Start Leading	Leadership Victoria	$175,000	Personal Leadership and Development	Leadership Victoria has expertise in leadership development that will shape participating founders into leaders for the long haul – for themselves, their current and future projects and for the whole community.
The Startup Marketing Program	Marketing Entourage	$208,300	Marketing Support	Marketing Entourage is aimed at providing founders with the essential marketing tools to build effective strategies to successfully go to market, stimulate growth, attract investment, scale or expand globally.
Export & Growth Workshops	Onestack	$234,600	Export & Growth	Onestack will help founders strategise and execute for growth and export, with experts challenging startups’ strategic and tactical plans to identify gaps and priorities.
Startup B2B Sales Masterclass	Slingshot Accelerator	$150,000	Engaging Corporates	Slingshot Accelerator will run startup B2B sales masterclasses, educating founders on processes, disciplines, and techniques required to facilitate sales discussions with business customers, then execute the sales.
Bench to Business – A Product Development Training program for Hardware Startup Founders	Space Tank Studio	$250,000	Product Development	Space Tank Studio will educate founders in design for manufacturing, IP protection, business and financial development and in Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) manufacturing technology for prototyping.
Governance and Board Advisory for Founders	Startup Boardroom	$220,000	Corporate Governance	Start-up Boards will educate founders on compliance, governance, organisation policy and process and bring a capacity building mindset to help them be more resilient and realise their potential through considering an advisory board.

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Grants for world-class accelerator program

Opened: Monday, 28 August 2017
Closed: Tuesday, 10 October 2017

Funding Round Period: 28 August – 10 October 2017Our fourth round of funding focused on organisation/s that could deliver world-class accelerator program/s to Victorian startup founders and executives.

While LaunchVic has invested in a number of accelerators to date, we sought truly world-class programs to support global connectivity and help the very best startups achieve growth on an international scale. The program/s were to be delivered in Melbourne, and help contribute to the growth of the local ecosystem.

LaunchVic’s Round 4 grant funding program was open to Australian accelerators, international accelerators and teams with proven track records of success.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Description
SBE Australia	SBE Melbourne Female Life Sciences Accelerator Program & Evolve	$1,500,000	Springboard Enterprises (SBE) Australia will expand their world-class Springboard Enterprises Accelerator program to Melbourne through the launch of a female-focused Life Sciences accelerator benefitting at least 20 startups over three years. SBE will also deliver the E3 business accelerator program twice a year benefiting at least 60 early-stage startups.
Skalata Ventures	Skalata Ventures Scaleup Accelerator	$3,000,000	Skalata Ventures will open a new accelerator program to support Victoria’s most promising scaleups. Founded by the former leadership of University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP), the program will support 60 scaleups over three years.
Techstars	Techstars Melbourne SportsTech accelerator program	$2,500,000	Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, has received LaunchVic funds to support the establishment of a Melbourne SportsTech accelerator program for 20 startups over a 2-year time period. Techstars is looking for partners in support to run a series of startup community events including Techstars Startup Weekend and Techstars Startup Week as well as the establishment of an accelerator to connect founders and their teams with other entrepreneurs, experts, mentors, alumni, investors, community leaders, and corporate partners.

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Grants to Support Local Council Startup Communities

Opened: Friday, 8 December 2017
Closed: Thursday, 22 March 2018

LaunchVic’s sixth funding round helped local councils improve access and participation in the startup ecosystem in Victoria.

LaunchVic invested in Victorian Local Councils, especially in regional and outer metro areas, to deliver programs and activities that address stages 1 and 2 of the Startup Framework for Local Governments.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Description
Startup Ballarat	City of Ballarat	$100,000	City of Ballarat to run STARTUP BALLARAT! a program of meetups, hackathons, masterclasses and coworking trials. The program will address gaps for early-stage startups in the local community and aims to create a stronger startup brand for Ballarat to attract more founders, talent and investment.
Startup Shakeup – Innovate North East Vic Startups	Benalla Rural City Council	$400,000	Benalla Rural City Council with Rural City of Wangaratta, Mansfield Shire Council and Indigo Shire Council as a consortium, will run Startup Shakeup – Innovate North East Vic Startups, a program of events to build startup capacity in North East Victoria. The program includes four Hyper-local Ideas Fests, one in each municipality, to solve the region’s problems and create momentum for the bootcamps, mentoring, and meetups. The program will culminate in an annual Pitchfest and an annual North East Innovation Conference.
iHarvest Program	Brimbank City Council	$100,000	The iHarvest program will support the establishment of iHarvest Coworking Sunshine within the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre and deliver a program of meetups, mentoring and masterclasses for startups and entrepreneurs along with facilitating coworking placements.
The INNovation Crowd	City of Casey	$198,250	City of Casey in partnership with Cardinia Shire Council will run The INNovation Crowd, a program that will deliver events including meetups, hackathons, masterclasses, workshops, a bootcamp and a major Business Expo and Pitchfest. The program will also offer mentoring via an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Casey Cardinia Business Hub and online mentoring sessions. Five local founders will also have an opportunity to be selected for kick-starter funding.
Greater Dandenong Startup Hub	City of Greater Dandenong	$100,000	City of Greater Dandenong will activate the Greater Dandenong Startup Hub through workshops, hackathons, coworking memberships, mentoring and masterclasses to accelerate local entrepreneurship skill sets. The program will provide opportunities for the next generation of local entrepreneurs in this culturally diverse business minded municipality.
Creating a startup ecosystem in Hume	Hume City Council	$86,500	Hume City Council will run Creating a startup ecosystem in Hume to support new startups through meetups, mentoring and hackathons. Transport & Logistics and Warehousing & Manufacturing are two of the largest industries in the municipality with local startups strongly encouraged to help drive startup entrepreneurship for these industries.
Startup Gippsland	Latrobe City Council	$400,000	Latrobe City Council with Bass Coast Shire Council, Wellington Shire Council and Baw Baw Shire Council as a consortium, will run Startup Gippsland, a cohesive array of programs aiming to grow the Gippsland startup ecosystem. The program includes meetups, masterclasses, a comprehensive mentoring program and major events to help Gippsland startups become accelerator-ready.
CoConnected	Maribyrnong City Council	$100,000	Maribyrnong City Council will run CoConnected – a program connecting startups in the West; a series of events designed to meet the challenges of Maribyrnong’s culturally diverse communities, and young people. The project will link the City’s CALD communities to opportunities in Melbourne’s west creating an avenue to market for inner west startups.
The Hot House Project	Melton City Council	$88,960	Melton City Council will run The Hot House Project, a three-phase program featuring workshops, networking events, mentoring, masterclasses, coworking space access and hackathons. The program will support local startup talent to take their ideas to the next level.
‘Magnify’ Mildura – creating jobs for the future	Mildura Rural City Council	$50,000	Mildura Rural City Council will run ‘Magnify’ Mildura – creating jobs for the future, a series of events including workshops, masterclasses and a hackathon to help the local startup ecosystem grow as a vibrant hub of regional startup activity.
Moreland Converger Program	Moreland City Council	$100,000	Moreland City Council to run the Moreland Converger Program that consists of a series of mentorship, masterclasses, workshops and meetups to increase the connectivity and growth of the local startup community which is attracting a growing enclave of creative and tech startups and multi-disciplinary entrepreneurs.
Think-Start-Grow	Towong Shire Council	$100,000	Towong Shire Council will run Think-Start-Grow, a program that will focus on building knowledge and awareness of startup entrepreneurship through a series of workshops, networking forums, events and mentoring support. Participants will gain an understanding of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, rural entrepreneurship models and links to local resources.
UNEARTHED	Warrnambool City Council	$284,420	Warrnambool City Council in partnership with Moyne Shire Counciland Corangamite Shire Council, will run UNEARTHED, a regional program that includes: events, meetups, a bootcamp of focused workshops, masterclasses and mentoring. The program aims to create awareness, accelerate the local ecosystem and unearth startup and scaleup potential especially in the food and fibre area.
Ignite…igniting north metro startups	City of Whittlesea	$89,710	City of Whittlesea will run Ignite…igniting north metro startups, a series of events ranging from short workshops to full day hackathons to engage local startups. The project will address the need to create more employment opportunities for a growing population.
#StartWest	Wyndham City Council	$270,000	Wyndham City Council with Hobsons Bay City Council, Maribyrnong City Business, and Moonee Valley City as a consortium, will run #StartWest; a program designed to educate and encourage people in Melbourne’s west to participate in the startup ecosystem. The program includes mentoring, meetups, and capacity building masterclasses culminating with the #StartWest Festival, which will celebrate startups in Melbourne’s west and inspire potential founders.

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Grants for Entrepreneurial Programs for Aboriginal Victorians

Opened: Friday, 23 March 2018
Closed: Thursday, 24 May 2018

LaunchVic’s seventh grant round focused on increasing diversity and inclusion by investing in organisations to deliver new and existing entrepreneurial programs that improve access and participation in the Victorian startup ecosystem for Aboriginal Victorians.

This funding program was an initiative of Tharamba Bugheen, the Victorian Aboriginal Business Strategy 2017-2021 released by the Victorian Government in March 2017. Tharamba Bugheen recognises that economic advancement of Aboriginal Victorians is critical for self-determination and is making significant investments to support this agenda.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Description
Victoria’s Indigenous Business Accelerator Program	Barayamal	$500,000	As Australia’s first Indigenous focused startup accelerator, Barayamal will deliver a world-class accelerator program for innovative Aboriginal startups from Victoria. Underpinned by a deep understanding of the factors for successful global entrepreneurship, this program will provide effective and culturally appropriate support, at each stage, from concept development to standalone businesses. The project will support Aboriginal startups and entrepreneurs through a pre-accelerator and a full accelerator program. Over the full program, the startups will rapidly develop their businesses and showcase their success at a national pitch night event in Melbourne.
Startup Thinking and Incubation for Regional Victorian Aboriginal Women	Global Sisters	$268,000	Global Sisters provides women with the tools, networks and resources to accelerate an idea into a thriving business. In collaboration with Aboriginal community partners, the Global Sisters program will grow the pipeline of Aboriginal entrepreneurs in regional Victoria. Global Sisters’ Aboriginal women in regional Victorian locations will be introduced to startup thinking and have the opportunity to progress through to a tailored and responsive business incubation program that focuses on accessing disruptive online markets.
Project Ngarrimili: Igniting and Nurturing Aboriginal Excellence	Ngarrimili	$694,250	Project Ngarrimili is a partnership between Strong Brother Strong Sister and Impact Co and represents the bringing together of Aboriginal leadership and industry experts. Meaning ‘to dance’ in Wadawurrung, Ngarrimili will inspire and nurture entrepreneurial excellence amongst Aboriginal communities across Victoria via three programs.
Ngamai Moorroop Wilin: Ngamai Meetups – Building the Community	RMIT University	$110,000	The aim of this project is to establish a cohort of entrepreneurs who will engage Aboriginal enterprises within an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business ecosystem through regular meetups in Melbourne and regional Victoria. The Ngamai Meetups have been co-created with Elder Aunty Carolyn Briggs who named the Project using Boon Wurrung language, Ngamai Moorroop Wilin (light the spirit of the fire). They will target diverse members of the Victorian Aboriginal community and are designed to retain a cohort of highly engaged Aboriginal entrepreneurs.

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Grants for the Health Startup Sector

Opened: Thursday, 10 May 2018
Closed: Thursday, 5 July 2018

LaunchVic’s eighth funding grant round focused on leveraging Victoria’s key strengths in the health startup sector – including in medtech, biotech, pharma, health & ageing services and disability services (together, the ‘Health Startup Sector’).

Through this round, LaunchVic funded organisations to deliver accelerator and education programs that will further drive Victoria’s strengths and help position the State as a leading health startup hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Description
The Victorian Medical Device Partnering Program	Flinders University	$2,005,100	The Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) fuels the medical device innovation pipeline. As an ideas incubator, it delivers product prototypes aligned to identified global markets. It takes ideas from companies at all stages of their life cycle and turns them into investable technologies. MDPP has operated for 10 years in the South Australian medical device sector, this funding will allow the expansion of the current program to Victoria. In partnership with Swinburne University of Technology, CSIRO, The University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT, Australian National Fabrication Facility and Biomedical Research Victoria, the Victorian program will support up to: 200 new ideas evaluated by the program leading to fast fail or rapid progress; 120 collaborative workshops that connect entrepreneurs and leverage expertise; 40 proof of concept, prototype or clinical/market validation projects completed with detailed market research reports; 20 new companies established; and 100 jobs created.
The Victorian Health Network Accelerator (VHNx)	The Royal Melbourne Hospital	$995,120	The Victorian Health Network Accelerator (VHNx) project is led by Melbourne Health, Potential(x) and the Health Round Table in partnership with Bendigo Health. The project consists of two centrally coordinated hospital accelerator programs: The Melbourne Health Accelerator (MHx) program delivered at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2019; and the new Bendigo Health Accelerator (BHx) program, delivered at Bendigo Hospital in 2020. VHNx will provide a clear path for early-stage startups to access hospitals and engage with clinicians where both sectors will thrive in a shared and facilitated platform of networking and collaboration. 20 startups, who aim to solve identified healthtech problems, will be supported through the programs.
Scaling Medtech innovation from Victorian hospitals	The Actuator	$950,000	The Melbourne-based Actuator is one of Australia’s premier MedTech commercialisation initiatives. the Actuator partner with hospitals across Victoria to drive clinically-led innovations and provide a pathway for hospital entrepreneurs and startups to access the Actuator accelerator and MedTech’s Got Talent programs. The project consists of three programs: educational workshops, commercialisation bootcamps and hackathons for up to 450 hospital students, clinicians and staff; a pre-seed accelerator program for up-to 35 entrepreneurs; and the Actuator accelerator program for up to 40 startups. The Actuator will also provide a gateway for clinical professionals to become integrated into a healthcare-focused angel network.
Victorian Angel Investor Education Project	Artesian Venture Partners	$250,000	Artesian Venture Partners in collaboration with Decode System, The Actuator, Peak15 HealthTech and VentureCrowd will develop and deliver a range of targeted investor education workshops, webinars and community events focused on investing in Victorian healthtech startups within medtech, biotech, pharma, health & ageing services and disability services. Events and online sessions will target 500 potential and active angel investors, particularly clinicians, over 2 years. Through project partnerships, angels will be exposed to a pipeline of investible Victorian healthtech startups. The project will build a sustainable investor education platform which will continue to educate angels beyond the project.
HealthTech Export Strategies for Asia markets	Australia China Health Accelerator (ACHA)	$250,000	Australia China Health Accelerator (ACHA) will provide a direct pathway to Asia for Victorian Health Startup founders and senior executives. This program is designed to build solid and real understanding of Asian market opportunities, risks and pathways. The 6 week program will be delivered 4 times and support 32 health startup founders/senior executives. The program focuses on healthtech export opportunities and challenges in Asia and will include: lectures, seminars, discussion groups; interactive sessions in areas such as IP protection strategy development; live webinars for regional participants; and mentoring.
HealthTech Reimbursement: Getting Paid in the USA	BioMelbourne Network	$114,000	Healthcare in the US is complex. This project brings US reimbursement experts to Melbourne to deliver masterclass modules to startup founders on US reimbursement strategy. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the critical topics of coding, coverage and payment, and the clinical and health economic data needed to demonstrate value in the US healthcare market. The program includes 3 masterclass modules and seminars. Selected participants will have a unique in-market experiential education opportunity to connect with providers, payors and partners in Medical Alley, a leading healthtech cluster in Minneapolis, USA.
B.R.I.G.H.T Future for Digital Health Innovators	ANDHealth	$250,000	This 2 year project utilises Planet Innovation’s proven BRIGHT Process framework alongside the digital health expertise of ANDHealth. This framework is taught through interactive workshops, including immersion with frontline clinicians, pharmaceutical companies and industry leaders, and transfers practical skills and re-usable models to help founders solve many commercial issues faced by early-stage digital health companies. The Project will combine ANDHealth’s network of digital health expertise with Planet Innovation’s unique innovation framework to provide tailored advice and thinking models to digital health startup founders and companies to reach successful commercialisation.

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Grants for Experts-in-Residence (EIRs) for Coworking Spaces

Opened: Friday, 3 August 2018
Closed: Thursday, 28 February 2019

LaunchVic’s ninth funding round was specifically targeted at positioning Victoria as an internationally recognised startup ecosystem through enhancing capability and excellence in the Victorian startup community.

Applications were open for coworking spaces seeking to provide access to experienced startup professionals (Experts-In-Residence, or EIRs) to their resident startups and the broader Victorian startup ecosystem.

Coworking spaces are hubs of innovation where startups base themselves through their early growth phase for support, guidance and collaboration opportunities amongst other things. The purpose of this program was to support growth and learning opportunities for resident startups by attracting EIRs that will provide business guidance, mentorship and support for startups to improve their business capabilities. The program favoured EIRs with strong international experience and networks, and this is expected to support Victorian startups with global connections. The program was also intended to stimulate collaboration in and between Victorian coworking spaces.

LaunchVic invested up to $25,000 per successful application to support travel, accommodation and program activities of EIRs where the length of the EIR program was 4 weeks or longer.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Description
Omar de Silva, Founder of SOAR & Adam Valastro, Founder of Travelling Tradies	CreativeCubes	$24,700	This EIR program was delivered by Omar de Silva, an experienced serial entrepreneur, educator and advisor and Adam Valastro Founder, CEO – Travelling Tradies. Through this program, CreativeCubes offered members and the broader startup community a series of educational breakfasts, full-day development workshops and 1:1 mentoring with Omar and Adam to provide support in the leadership and strategy development of founders and their teams.
Mary Karolyi, Principal of The HQ Hub	Happy Hubbub	$25,000	This EIR program focused on financial skills and scaling up sensibly. Delivered by Mary Karolyi, Principal, The HQ Hub, the program included a month-long financial mentoring program with specialist advice tailored specifically to each startup and educational workshops. Mary is a chartered accountant with over 20 years of finance experience including over 10 years working as a CFO for various startups.
Remco Marcelis, Founder & Managing Partner of Standard Ledger	Hub Australia	$25,000	This educational and mentoring program was delivered by Remco Marcelis, from startup-focused accounting firm Standard Ledger. Remco’s career combines management consulting experience with experience as a CFO inside tech, medtech and crypto startups and as a virtual CFO for the past 10 years. He has worked with venture capital firms, and has helped raise and invest more than $40 million. Remco teaches finances topics at General Assembly and entrepreneurial programs for the University of Adelaide and Swinburne University. This EIR program included a series of general finance and specific startup-focused financial talks over a 7 week period, with open office hours available for deeper dive discussions.
Peter Dostis, Founder & CEO of Runway	Regional Business Hubs	$24,500	This EIR program was delivered by Peter Dostis, CEO of Runway Geelong. Peter founded and co-developed the Runway Geelong accelerator program in 2016. He has supported a number of startups through mentoring and coaching across regional Victoria. This EIR program was delivered in Wodonga and includeda two-day bootcamp delivered three times and 1:1 mentoring. The program provided startup entrepreneurs with the essentials skills required to validate their idea/opportunity and where a real opportunity is present translate this into a clear strategy and equip them with the tools and skills to pitch their venture to grow and further commercialise their product or service.
Karen Cohen, Director of Blockconsulting Group	Stone And Chalk	$25,000	This EIR program was delivered by Karen Cohen, Director of Blockconsulting group at the Victorian Innovation Hub. With over 20 years experience in HR and Management and a FinTech Finnies award finalist, Karen is passionate about developing opportunities for women in technology and preparing women for board opportunities. This EIR program included an educational program covering topics such as business strategy and board readiness, a mentoring program and networking events to introduce emerging women in FinTech to other female leaders and corporates.
Ned Dwyer, Founder of Very Labs & Spritz.works	Neighbourhood	$23,500	This Neighbourhood EIR program was delivered by Ned Dwyer, founder of Very Labs a product incubator based in San Francisco and most recently Spritz.works an expense management and corporate card product. Prior to Very Labs Ned was Director of Product at GoDaddy, he is a mentor and investor in Startmate and has consulted for companies including Shopify, Everproof and Biteable. Through this EIR program Ned delivered workshops on customer validation, sales, marketing & product and 1:1 office hours. He assisted founders by putting them on the path to revenue with paying customers, or acceptance into a top tier accelerator program.
Sam Hemphill, Teacher, Coder, Speaker at Meeum	PathHunting	$25,000	Sam Hemphill’s “Tech for Non-Tech Startup Founders” empowered non-technical founders with technical knowledge, the capability to communicate in digital marketplaces, the skills to prototype ideas and the benefits of 1:1 expert mentoring. Sam Hemphill has previously designed and taught coding classes at General Assembly. Through his work with Meeum, he has helped countless startups get to grips with the technology and web development areas of their businesses and enabled those businesses to flourish.
Tom Allen, Founder & CEO, Impact Boom	ReActivate Latrobe Valley	$25,000	This mentoring program was delivered at ReActivate Latrobe Valley in Morwell by Tom Allen, Founder & CEO, Impact Boom. Tom actively empowers entrepreneurs to unleash their greatest potential to create a better world. Tom leads the Elevate+ Accelerator Program which helps early stage social entrepreneurs develop and scale their impact. Through this EIR program, a four-part series of social impact startup masterclasses was available to Latrobe Valley’s emerging startup community, delivering content and mentorship that is highly-tailored to local needs and opportunities, and embedding meaningful collaboration, networking and exposure to local, national and global audiences.
Viki Forrest, CEO, ANZA Technology Network	Neighbourhood	$31,700	This EIR program was delivered by Viki Forrest, CEO, ANZA Technology Network. Viki’s experience in the technology sector spans more than 30 years across Australia, Asia and the United States. She joined Bullant in Sydney as employee No. 5 and was instrumental in helping the company raise $25m and relocate to San Francisco in 2001. As the CEO of ANZA Technology Network in San Francisco, Viki has showcased over 200 Australian and New Zealand companies in Silicon Valley and is credited with bringing 70 Australian companies to the US. This EIR program will support startup founders to build a fast-growth, highly-scalable, global business with a focus on entering the US market.
Demetrio Zema, Founder & Chief Problem Solver, Law Squared	WeWork	$25,000	This EIR program was delivered at the WeWork’s 114 William Street Melbourne workspace that spans 2 floors with over 250 members. Being located within the legal district of Melbourne, legal and recruitment startups can be found together with healthtech apps and digital designers. WeWork members had the opportunity to grow, learn and be inspired, by Demetrio Zema Founder and Chief Problem Solver, Law Squared. Law Squared is a specialised commercial law and litigation firm which works with entrepreneurs, startups and commercial businesses. Demetrio delivered an EIR program consisting of founder dinners, open office hours and public talks.
Andre Eikmeier, Co-Founder of Vinomofo	United Co	$28,000	Through this program, startups at United Co had the opportunity to learn directly from the Co-Founder of one of Australia’s fastest-growing companies and an international leader in innovation, disruption and culture. Andre Eikmeier of Vinomofo delivered workshops, weekly office hours and a major event over 1 month at United Co, a newly established coworking space in Fitzroy. Vinomofo launched in April 2011 from a little garage in Adelaide and has since grown quickly and profitably to a run rate of over $50m revenue, 450,000 members and a team of over 100.
Dr. Zivit Inbar, Founder and CEO DifferenThinking	Eastern Innovation Business Centre	$25,000	The EIBC’s program was delivered by Dr Zivit Inbar, CEO and Founder of DifferenThinking. Run over 6 weeks, the program included events, workshops and mentoring on topics such as ICOs and crowd funding, VCs, angel investment, accelerator programs, trade missions and pitching skills.
Oscar McLennan, Investor and Startmate Mentor	The Commons	$25,000	This mentoring program was delivered by Oscar McLennan, Investor and Startmate Mentor at The Commons in Collingwood. Run over 3 months, small group or 1:1 mentoring sessions was tailored and focus on the most significant challenges facing startups. Topics may include: investment readiness, telling your startup story, go-to-market strategy, product strategy, hiring and firing, user and sales growth, traction channels, business measurement and accelerator programs.
Ruy Lopes De Barros, Impact and Innovation Manager, Flying Rhino	Happy Spaces	$25,000	This program was delivered by Ruy Lopes De Barros, Impact and Innovation Manager, Flying Rhino. Ruy has been working on innovation and entrepreneurship in Brazil and abroad for a number of years. The program was run over 3 months and included talks, workshops and mentorship. There will also be a focus on facilitating global connections for members and the broader Victorian ecosystem.
Kate Kendall, Founder and CEO of CloudPeeps	OneRoof Coworking	$25,000	The One Roof Expert-in-Residence (EIR) program was delivered by Kate Kendall, a global tech entrepreneur, community builder, and advisor with a decade of experience. Kate founded investor-backed talent marketplace CloudPeeps, event-discovery platform The Fetch and Freelance Friday community.

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Grants to Support Further Growth

Opened: Thursday, 7 February 2019
Closed: Thursday, 21 March 2019

LaunchVic’s tenth funding grant round focused on capturing new ideas and initiatives to support the development of startup founders, entrepreneurs and investors in the Victorian startup ecosystem. Unlike LaunchVic’s recent grant rounds, this round was ‘open’ meaning there was no specific focus, however applications needed to align with LaunchVic’s strategy. We wanted to hear from you about what you thought the Victorian startup ecosystem needed to support further growth.

Applications seeking funding for meetups, events, hackathons, educational courses, mentoring, bootcamps, incubator programs, accelerator programs were accepted. Other eligible programs outside of this list were also considered.
Programs needed to focus on one or more of LaunchVic’s strategic focus area streams: Diversity and Inclusion; Capability and Excellence; Leveraging Key Strengths; and/or Channel Development.

LaunchVic requested applications up to $250,000 per application. Organisations needed to demonstrate experience working with and delivering similar programs for startups and/or startup entrepreneurs or investors.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Strategy Stream	Description
Impact Angel Network	Impact Investment Group (IIG)	$250,000	Capability & Excellence (Investors)	The Impact Angel Network will connect pre-seed and seed stage startups with impact angel investors through: 1) an online deal flow platform to connect investors with appropriate startup investment opportunities 2) networking events and founder pitch sessions to facilitate direct connections between angel investors and startup founders; and 3) Educational workshops for both investors and startups to support increased investment into Victorian startups.
Growth Club	Startup Victoria	$232,000	Capability & Excellence	Startup Victoria will establish peer-to-peer mentoring groups for Victoria’s most promising Scaling Startup founders and CEOs to share learnings and challenges and accelerate growth. Through Growth Club, Startup Victoria will support 50 Participants, through a program of peer-to-peer mentoring groups and educational workshops. The program will also capture insights into the challenges facing Victoria’s Scaling Startups.
Increasing Investment in Diverse Victorian founders	Rampersand	$250,000	Capability & Excellence and Diversity & Inclusion	Underfunding Diverse founders by VCs inhibits the success of the entire startup ecosystem. This program will identify, educate Diverse founders through events and a structured mentoring program. Where possible, Rampersand will bring these founders into their investment pipeline or other VCs with a view to securing investment. Through this program, Rampersand will also analyse and diagnose points where founders drop out of the process and publish and promote the findings to encourage greater investment into Diverse founders across the VC ecosystem.
ygap First Gens x Catalysr	ygap	$250,000	Diversity & Inclusion	ygap will partner with Catalysr to run their pre-accelerator program in Victoria and deliver the ygap first gens accelerator program. ygap and Catalysr will leverage both organisations’ expertise and track-record to find the best migrant and refugee entrepreneurs and develop the skills they need and access capital to grow their startups. The program includes a pre-accelerator program that supports up to 60 migrant and refugee entrepreneurs and a full accelerator program supporting 12 early-stage startups from the pre-accelerator program.
StartNorth Migrant & Refugee Program	Hume City Council	$46,000	Diversity & Inclusion	StartNorth, Hume City Council’s startup space in Broadmeadows, will manage an accelerator program that will support up to 15 startup entrepreneurs from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Housed in one of Melbourne’s most diverse suburbs, StartNorth will partner with ygap who will deliver an accelerator program tailored to the needs of this demographic. ygap’s First Gens accelerator program supports migrant and refugee-led social impact ventures that are improving the lives of people living in disadvantage in Australia.
MID Open Talent Pathways	RMIT	$150,000	Leveraging Key Strengths	This project will increase the pipeline of startups and talent in HealthTech and SportsTech by targeting postgraduate students who are considering working in a startup or launching a startup. The curriculum will be codeveloped by the partners – RMIT, the University of Melbourne and the City of Melbourne. Participants will explore innovative deeptech solutions for real-world problems and market gaps within the health and sports domains and test their business ideas for IP and commercial viability. This Program will support up to 50 participants and will consist of an immersive bootcamp, educational program and mentoring.
Melbourne Sports Analytics Meetups	Vumero	$10,000	Leveraging Key Strengths (Sports)	This program will include meetups to support the Victorian sports data & technology ecosystem by providing a platform for innovative, and cutting-edge companies to present their ideas, concepts and products. The meetups will also provide a networking opportunity to create a collaborative environment and a way for people to get involved and hear about the latest progress in the sportstech industry.

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Grants to Support New and Existing Angel Networks

Opened: 24 September 2019
Closed: 12 November 2019

‘Building a robust Victorian Investor Community’ was a LaunchVic program based on research identifying that many early stage Victorian startups were unable to secure the capital they needed to grow. The program was designed to increase the number of Victorian based Angels by funding new Angel Networks and boosting existing Angel Networks.

The objectives of this funding were to:

Increase startup’s access to early stage capital, by activating more formal Angel Networks; and
Increase the number of informed and active early-stage investors, by providing support for Angel Investors through formalised Angel Networks.

To support this program LaunchVic commissioned Bella Private Markets to develop a Best Practise guide to Angel Networks. A high level summary is available here [URL missing]. For the full report that includes a comprehensive assessment of considerations when setting up an angel network, guidelines for establishing the investment process and much more please email hello@launchvic.org.

In 2019, LaunchVic released an Expressions of Interest (EOIs) seeking applications from suitable existing angel networks and applicants who would formalise new angel networks. The successful EOI applicants were invited to submit a detailed proposal under a Request for Further Information (RFI) issued in December 2019. Successful RFI applicants received funding of up to $300k (exclusive of GST) over 2 years. Funds were to be used for Operating Costs.

Funding Recipients

Organisation	Funding	Network Focus
Angel Partners	$260,000	Angel Partners will establish a new Angel Network in Victoria. Angel Partners will target emerging professionals and recently successful startup founders to collectively invest in early-stage technology companies within Victoria through a syndicated structure. Engaging this group unlocks more funding now, and establishes an ongoing culture of angel investing for the future. Angel Partners’ investment focus is Victorian Startups in consumer mobile and web, software as a service (SaaS), artificial intelligence, Fintech, online marketplaces, and IoT smart devices. As the network grows, the focus will expand to reflect the expertise of new network members. The network aims to reach 40 members, and support over 15 investment deals with a cumulative investment of $1.95m over 2.5 years.
Archangel Ventures	$300,000	Archangel will formalise an existing group of angels to formally establish a new Angel Network in Victoria. The Angel Network will include High Net Worth individuals and Family Offices, and also attract new investors to access deal flow through a syndicated structure. While Archangel will not limit investments to specific industries, the collective experience and skills means that the Angel Network will focus on FinTech, HealthTech, EduTech, PropTech and LegalTech deals. The Angel Network aims to reach over 20 members, and support over 9 investment deals with a cumulative investment of $2.25m over 2.5 years.
Innovation Bay Angel Network	$300,000	Innovation Bay will establish a new Angel Network in Victoria. The Angel Network will be a membership organisation with minimal membership fees, opt-in framework, that is sector agnostic, and focused on early-stage deal flow. It will be made up of over 100 members comprising experienced tech investors who are already actively investing in companies, as well as new investors attracted through partnerships with Macquarie Bank and KPMG’s wealth management teams. The angel club will be open and inclusive, with a founder-focused approach aimed at supporting investment in Victorian Startups. The Angel Network aims to reach over 100 members, and support over 11 investment deals with a cumulative investment of at least $4m over 2.5 years
Working Theory Angels	$300,000	Working Theory Angels will establish a new angel network that provides its members with the competence and confidence to achieve best-in-class outcomes for themselves, the founders they back, and the ecosystem at large. While industry agnostic, Working Theory Angels aims to back teams solving big problems in large markets that are undergoing macro shifts, with a preference for solutions that bring people together, improve every day life, or address physical and environmental health. Working Theory Angels has support from major Australian VC firms to partner in solving some of their biggest issues, including line of sight to seed stage companies, and providing a way for them to invest early and anonymously to avoid negative signalling risk. The network aims to reach 25 members, and support over 8 investment deals with a cumulative investment of $2.15m over 2.5 years.

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Grants for Pre-Accelerator Programs

Supporting Early Stage Startup Creation

Opened: 14 April 2020
Closed: 8 May 2020

This grant program was originally opened on the 11 March 2020 with the aim of increasing the pipeline of early-stage startups in Victoria. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LaunchVic made some changes to this grant round and alter its focus from increasing startup density to one where economic recovery was at the forefront and aspiring entrepreneurs with technology-based ideas are given every chance for success.

Evidence from previous economic downturns illustrate that entrepreneurship can play a vital role in helping to drive recovery. Now more than ever it will be important that entrepreneurs looking to start their own startup have access to the best possible support, advice and networks to help them on their journey as they build new companies that will help to sustain our future economy.

LaunchVic sought to invest up to $250k per application for Pre-Accelerator programs to run for a minimum of 2 years. Applications had to have a delivery team that had strong startup education skills and must have had previous experience delivering pre-accelerator or accelerator programs. Applications from existing and new Pre-Accelerator programs were also accepted. Funds could be used for Operating Costs.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Description
The Business of Sport	Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN)	$250,000	The Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN) in partnership the Global Sports Innovation Center (GSIC) powered by Microsoft with deliver a sportstech Pre-Accelerator Program delivered over 10 weeks. It will support 60 Victorian Startup Entrepreneurs to validate their off-field sportstech business idea against competitors, vendors and VC. Specific industry experts including: GSIC, Pitcher Partners (Finance), Madgwicks (Lawyers), M&J Creative (Marketing), Sports Tech World Series (Market Research and Validation) and VARCIS Group Ltd (Investment and Asia Market Entry Partner) will support program delivery. This program will better prepare early-stage startups for SportsTech Accelerator programs. The program will be offered 4 times over 2 years and aim to strengthen the reach, international standing and reputation of the Australian sportstech startup ecosystem in Victoria.
Atto Pre-Accelerator Program	Atto Accelerator	$125,000	Atto is an online-driven, Pre-Accelerator Program that helps female Startup Entrepreneurs launch tech companies in an independent, scalable and sustainable manner. Atto is designed to take a first-time Startup Entrepreneurs from idea to product to revenue in a methodological and focused way. The 12-week program will support 30 female Startup Entrepreneurs through 2 cohorts. The program will support Participants to go on to take part in an accelerator program and/or raise angel funding. The program will run through startup operations 101, profitable business models and unit economics, community building, mapping out MVPs, creating an MVP using no-code tools, customer acquisition, growth marketing, startup launch press, building teams, applying to top accelerators, and an intro to raising angel funding. The program will be taught by a network of global founders and operators.
Expanding the Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP) Velocity Program	The University of Melbourne	$222,720	The Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP) Velocity Program helps Startup Entrepreneurs speed up their search for problem-solution fit and discovery of first customers. This grant will allow MAP to increase its frequency of cohorts each year to support technology-based Startup Entrepreneurs. The funding will also allow the adaption of the program to be delivered online so Startup Entrepreneurs from across Victoria can get connected to MAP and participate in the Velocity Program. This program will support 120 Startup Entrepreneurs through at least 4 cohorts over 2 years. There is no University of Melbourne affiliation required. Startup Entrepreneurs will receive skills to help them with: i) early validation of their market or first customer; ii) objective competitiveness to enter an accelerator program; iii) full-time commitment to their startup; and/or iv) a fine-tuned Startup.
Start, Now	Roshambo	$250,000	This project will be a network of Pre-Accelerators delivered in partnership with local councils, with a focus on supporting Startup Entrepreneurs west of Melbourne. The councils supporting the project include Melton City Council, Brimbank City Council, Maribyrnong City Council, Wyndham City Council, Hume City Council, Hobsons Bay City Council, and Campaspe Shire. Roshambo will deliver a Pre-Accelerator program to 16 cohorts in partnership with local councils. The Program will accelerate Participants through the process of finding a business idea and then developing and scaling that idea into sustainable model. They will be introduced to the Startup mindset and methodologies, taught how to build and test an MVP solution, and then shown how to grow their MVP solution. The Project aims to support 320 Participants through the program in partnership with the councils. It will support a further 80 Participants from the broader Victorian community via a tailored low-cost online Pre-Accelerator program.
SBE Explore	SBE Australia	$250,000	SBE Australia is a not-for-profit organisation who accelerates women entrepreneurs. SBE will develop and deliver a Pre-Accelerator Program to accelerate Victorian female founders with strong ideas to bring those ideas to market in a smart and sustainable way. SBE will deliver the Explore program over 8-weeks and offer the program four times. The Program will graduate 40 female Startup Entrepreneurs in total over 2 years. Graduates will be ready to build an MVP of their idea with a tested go to market plan and a network of entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem leaders. They will also be supported via a strong network of almost 200 alumnae post-program.
Startup Gippsland	Latrobe City Council	$249,925	Startup Gippsland is a Gippsland-wide Pre-Accelerator program supported by Bass Coast Shire, Baw Baw Shire, East Gippsland Shire, Latrobe City Council, South Gippsland Shire and Wellington Shire Councils. The program focuses specifically on ideation-stage and innovative tech businesses with non-technical founders. It will support 40 Startup Entrepreneurs over 2 cohorts in 2021 and 2022. Startup Entrepreneurs will participate in weekend intensive training and receive wraparound support in the form of masterclasses and mentoring aimed at building their capability, networks and confidence to run a tech-based business as a non-technical founder. The program will support Founder capability-building that will include sessions on how to work with developers, product roadmaps, tech and consumer law and digital marketing strategy. The program will culminate in a pitch showcase where founders will launch their MVPs.
Startup Shakeup	Wangaratta Rural City Council	$246,000	Startup Shakeup is a regional initiative that aims to expand the opportunities for startups to be created, and shakeups to survive and thrive, anywhere in Victoria with the right support and ecosystem. Supporting 40 Startup Entrepreneurs over 2021 and 2022, Startup Shakeup will also offer four Tech Taster workshops for 120 participants, and will collaborate with Runway Geelong to develop the local capability to support the program. GHD will also deliver four masterclasses through this program to help upskill and support the startup entrepreneurs particularly in the emerging tech market.
Runway Pre-Accelerator Program	Runway Geelong	$250,000	Runway Geelong delivers entrepreneurial programs to assist people in developing and validating their business ideas – incubating and accelerating their startups, or scaling up their existing business. The program provides early-stage startups with a launch-pad to take their idea, build a business model and build and validate their minimum viable product. This pre-accelerator program focuses on supporting startups from Geelong and Western Victoria region. Runway will deliver the program at least 3 times over 2021 to 2022 and accept at least 30 technology-focused Startups in total

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Grants for Talent Programs

Growing the Pool of Talent for Victorian Startups and Scaleups

EOI Opened: 27 August 2020
EOI Closed: 10am 24 September 2020

Round Opened: 29 October 2020
Round Closed: 16 November 2020

The impact of COVID-19 on our economy is widespread, with many businesses having to stand down, lay off staff or close down altogether. Many talented Australians have found themselves unemployed or facing employment uncertainty. While we recognised the deep impacts on the economy, at LaunchVic we also recognised that startups and scaleups were key to economic recovery. And while not every startup and scaleup was succeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic, many were growing and creating jobs of the future.

Startups and scaleups are still on the lookout for great talent. For those that are growing, there are job vacancies waiting to be filled. Others are keen to have conversations that ensure a strong candidate pipeline for when growth starts again.

LaunchVic issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) on 27 August 2020 seeking proposals for Talent Programs needed to support Victorians that don’t have experience working at startups or scaleups so they can successfully transition into jobs in Victorian startups and scaleups. Applications closed on the 24 September and were evaluated by LaunchVic. A shortlist of outstanding applications were selected and approved by the LaunchVic Board to proceed to the next stage – a closed grant round. Successful Recipients were announced in February 2021.

Funding Recipients

Project	Recipient	Funding	Project Description
Up-skilling Underutilised Talent for Junior Roles at Startups \| INCO Academy	INCO Australia	$404,230	This program will provide accelerated pathways to employment into Victoria’s startup sector and grow the pool of industry-grade talent for fast-growing startups. The program will target workers stood down during COVID-19, skilled migrants & refugees and women to help them transition into a career in the startup sector. INCO Academy will expand three of its bootcamps (courses) into the state of Victoria and develop a placement service to enable students who have completed an INCO course to land their first junior role in a Victorian Startup. The program will create 480 industry-ready startup workers and place at least 100 Victorian INCO graduates into roles
Pivott	Stone & Chalk	$488,750	Career opportunities in emerging tech startups and scaleups The Pivott program will equip and empower Victorian job seekers with the knowledge, capability and tools necessary to succeed in the startup environment. Aiming to increase awareness and accessibility on both sides of the talent marketplace, it will provide a smarter way to build skills for a future-proof talent pool. The program consists of four elements including: 30 Events, Workshops and Talent Jams; an online Learning Academy that includes the Working in Startups course open to all Victorians seeking a startup role; Top-Talent Mentor Matching Program; and an online skills & experience assessment and Jobs Platform to connect talent to job opportunities into startups and scaleups.
Women-only Fellowship to drive Talent and Diversity in Victorian Startups	Startmate	$1,104,457	The Women-Only Fellowship will create a pathway for 120 exceptional Victorian women into their dream startup job. The program will develop the female fellows through guided coaching by senior startup leaders, AMAs with Startup Founders and functional workshops to expedite a confident transition into startups and real progress towards gender parity in tech companies.
Student Fellowship to establish Startups as a Career Path	Startmate		The Student Fellowship creates a pathway for Victorian students into the startup sector. The program will provide support for 300 exceptional Victorian students and recent graduates through a 2-week intensive bootcamp to help students transition into a startup career with at least 100 graduates landing a full or part-time job in a Victorian startup or gaining practical experience via a paid internship.

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Grants for Victorian HealthTech Angel Networks

Building a robust investor community

Opened: 9 February 2021
Closed: 19 April 2021 (changed from 15 April 2021)

In 2020, LaunchVic provided funding to support the establishment of four new Angel Networks to help build a robust Victorian Investor Community and to unlock more capital for Victorian Startups. The four new Angel Networks, along with the existing Angel Networks in Victoria, do not currently focus on any particular sector, and some networks explicitly do not invest in startups focused on solving challenges in health industries. However, 18% of Victorian Startups are focused on HealthTech in some form – more than any other sector in Victoria. In his 2019 Angel Network report, Professor Lerner recommended that LaunchVic establish sector-specific Angel Networks to help drive success in industry verticals. LaunchVic believes that the time is right to action this in health industries including biotech, medtech and pharmaceuticals (collectively, HealthTech).

The objectives of this funding were to:

Increase access to early-stage capital by Victorian HealthTech Startups, by activating dedicated Angel Network(s) specialising in making seed investments in biotech, medtech and pharmaceuticals startups; and
Increase the number of informed and active early-stage investors who want to invest in biotech, medtech and pharmaceuticals startups, by providing support for Angel Investors through formalised Angel Networks.

LaunchVic sought proposals from applicants to launch a HealthTech Angel Network in the State of Victoria, that will primarily focus on investing in Victorian biotech, medtech and pharmaceutical startups.

Funding Recipients

Recipient	Funding	Network Focus
Australian Medical Angels	$300,000	Australian Medical Angels is an angel network with over 350 members predominantly drawn from the medical profession across the country. With a track record of investments into healthtech startups, Australian Medical Angels will expand the Network and set up a Victorian branch to focus investments on Victorian-based Startups. The network is predominately made up of practising clinicians that offers both clinical validation and invaluable links to the healthcare industry for Victorian-based HealthTech Startups.

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Grants for AgTech Pre Accelerator Programs

Supporting Early-Stage AgTech Startup Creation

Opened: 8 September 2021
Closed: 27 October 2021

Agriculture is a key sector of Victoria’s economy, employing 146,600 staff across 2020-21. The sector is vitally important to the Victorian economy and our future, however, changing conditions mean the sector needs to continually adapt. AgTech is a key driver to support adaptation of the agriculture sector, with the potential to provide farmers with the tools, data and knowledge to make more informed, timely on-farm decisions and improve productivity and sustainability.

AgTech can have a significant impact on Australia’s agricultural sector’s growth. The total value of the global AgTech market is expected to reach $22.5 billion by 2025 (an estimated growth rate of 150% from 2020). Despite Victoria having all the elements to be a national leader in AgTech, the sector is still small and immature, with AgTech startups accounting for less than 2% of total startups in Victoria.

This grant program aimed to increase support for aspiring AgTech entrepreneurs by funding experts to deliver Pre-Accelerator programs. The Pre-Accelerator programs will play a pivotal role in growing the AgTech sector in Victoria, enabling new founders to access the best possible support, advice and networks to build new businesses that will help shape our future economy and grow jobs.

Funding Recipients

Project	Recipient	Funding	Program Description
Building Victoria’s AgTech startup sector	Farmers2founders	$600,000	Farmers2Founders is a specialist agrifood tech service provider formed in 2018 to deliver pre-accelerator and accelerator programs specifically targeting agrifood tech and innovation startups across regional Australia. Farmers2Founders will utilise its proven innovation pathways model to deliver: an Online Journey Starter Program; Hatch Ideas Pre-accelerator Program; and Hone Venture Creation Pre-Accelerator Program. Additional activities to stimulate Victoria’s emerging AgTech ecosystem will include regional workshops to activate existing research and innovation facilities and extensive producer engagement.
AgTech Seeds Pre-Accelerator Program	Rocket Seeder	$600,000	The AgTech Seeds Pre-accelerator Program supports creation of early-stage AgTech startups in Victoria by bringing together “hybrid” teams of aspiring AgTech entrepreneurs and researchers creating AgTech-applicable IP/know-how at Victorian universities/PFROs. It will facilitate entrepreneur-researcher matches to increase startup investability and value, and help teams validate the market for their idea and technology and engage with potential Victorian early-adopter customers (growers/producers). The Program will provide funding for teams who validate problem-solution fit and need financial support to build their MVP.
Technology for the Business of Agriculture	SproutX	$600,000	SproutX in collaboration with The University of Melbourne and The Victorian Farmers Federation will deliver a hybrid program of mentorship and experiential learning over four cohorts, in two years. The Business of Agriculture Pre-Accelerator Program seeks to draw new entrants to the agtech startup ecosystem, by engaging tertiary research, academic, and corporate R&D participants to consider commercial opportunities through startup. By fostering collaboration between primary producers, accomplished agtech startups, and industry leaders, the Program seeks to create a pipeline for non-traditional entrepreneurs to consider venture scale startup in Agriculture 4.0 areas of need.

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Grants for Growing Victorian Angel Networks

Catalysing Early-Stage Startup Investments

Opened: 2 May 2022
Closed: 15 June 2022

Between 2020-2022, LaunchVic provided funding to support the establishment of five successful new Angel Networks to help build a robust Victorian investor community and to unlock more capital for Victorian Startups.

These networks are already playing an important role in developing the Victorian startup ecosystem – providing an avenue of funding for founders, supporting startup investors to syndicate, and providing capital in a structured and purposeful way at the critical early stages of startups’ journey. To date over 200 new investors had been recruited by these networks investing more than $5m into Victorian startups.

Despite this growth in formal angel networks, LaunchVic recognised that this number of angel groups is lower than in peer ecosystems. With a rise in investor education programs, there was also a growing number of informal syndications.
By providing operational funding and support LaunchVic sought to encourage the formalisation of more angel networks, providing an opportunity for growth in early-stage investments in Victorian startups and an increase in the early-stage investor pool.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Funding	Description
Climate Angel Network	Ecotone Ventures	$300,000	Ecotone Ventures’ Climate Angel Network will be a new climate-focused Angel Network based in Victoria that will connect the growing number of climate-conscious investors to early-stage ventures with climate solutions. The network aims to recruit at least 66 angel investors and support 16 investment deals into Victorian startups with a cumulative investment of $3 million over 2 years.
Cut Through Angels	Cut Through Ventures	$295,000	The fund will be industry agnostic and technology-centric, and only startups with the potential to generate venture capital returns will be invested in. The network aims to recruit at least 100 angel investors, and support 16 investment deals into Victorian startups with a cumulative investment of $3 million over 2 years.
Playbook Angel Network	Playbook Ventures	$280,000	The Playbook Angel Network investment thesis will be focused on founders and companies solving the following big questions of the future. The network aims to recruit at least 60 angel investors and support at least 11 investment deals into Victorian startups with a cumulative investment of $2.8 million over 2 years.

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Grants for World Class Accelerator Programs

Supporting Programs that Grow More Scaleups

Opened: 6 May 2022
Closed: 27 June 2022

Victoria’s startup ecosystem is on the move

Catalytic initiatives funded by LaunchVic have fuelled above-average growth in Victoria’s startup ecosystem over the last four years.

Victoria’s early-stage startup sector value has doubled year on year for the past two years and is now worth more than $10.5billion.
Victoria is home to more than 2,700 startups – companies that use innovative business models and technology to grow fast and service global markets.
There was a 35% increase in total early-stage funding over the last year.
Health, Enterprise, FinTech, Data & Analytics, and Commerce are growing strengths and account for 50% of all startups.

To date, LaunchVic has successfully invested in a number of accelerators that have helped established startups to scale. The most successful programs have driven the growth of Victorian startups, supported access to capital and created high-value jobs. In addition, the most successful accelerators have supported the ecosystem more broadly through additional offerings including events, founder office hours, the establishment of funds, investor engagement etc.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Project type	Funding
Pre-Seed Accelerator Program	Antler	Accelerator	$360,000
Climate Salad	Climate Salad	Accelerator	$600,000
ANDHealth ADDEMT: Accelerating Digital & Digitally Enabled Medical Technologies	ANDHealth	Accelerator	$1,400,000

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Grants for Regional Victorian Startup Entrepreneur Programs

Building a Vibrant Regional Victorian Startup Community

Opened: 16 June 2022
Closed: 21 July 2022

LaunchVic has proudly supported the development of regional startup ecosystems across Victoria. However, there is more work to do – only 3% of founders identify as regional despite 25% of Victoria’s population living outside Melbourne. LaunchVic wants to build a vibrant regional Victorian startup community by helping early-stage ecosystem development activities in regional centres.

LaunchVic invited Expressions of Interest from New and Existing organisations recommending the areas of programming required to grow their local startup ecosystem with the objectives of:

Encourage startup ecosystem development activities in regional Victoria;
Encourage people to consider a pathway into the startup ecosystem; and
Increase the number of early-stage startups being created in regional Victoria.

Programs currently funded by LaunchVic that operate in regional Victoria and are seeking re-funding and consortia proposals were considered.

The successful EOI applicants were invited to submit a detailed Request for Proposal (RFP). Successful RFP applicants could receive funding of between $50,000 and $300,000 (exclusive of GST) over 1-2 years. Funds are to be used for Operating Costs.

Through this round, we sought ideas that would support startup entrepreneurship in regional Victoria and increase the number of early-stage startups.

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Project type	Funding
GetUp StartUp Mildura	Mildura Regional Development	Workshops Events Mentoring	$100,000.00
Great South Coast Startup Ecosystem	Warrnambool City Council	Pre-Accelerator Bootcamps Events	$250,000.00
Startup Gippsland Ecosystem Activation Program	Latrobe City Council	Bootcamps Events Online community	$180,000.00
Startup Central Victoria	Clear Dynamics	Pre-Accelerator Events	$260,000.00

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Grants for Refunding High-Performing Recipients

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Project type	Funding
InternMatch – Marketing program to reach more Victorian Startups	Outcome.Life	Mentoring	$40,000
Elevate Ð Taking Hardware from Concept to Commercialisation	Western BACE	Masterclasses Workshops	$100,000
#SheHacks Ð Building Community Statewide	Girl Geek Academy	Events	$250,000
Supporting the Peninsula Startup Community	Frankston Foundry	Events	$100,000
Startmate Melbourne Accelerator Pitch Coaching	Startmate	Accelerator Pitch Coaching Australia’s Biggest Office Hours	$640,000
ASTN SportsTech Accelerator	ASTN	Accelerator	$350,000
Startupbootcamp Sports & EventTech Accelerator	Startupbootcamp	Accelerator	$1,500,000
Backing more Victorian female founders	Springboard Enterprises Australia (SBE)	(Business) Accelerator	$300,000
ASTN SportsTech Accelerator	ASTN	Accelerator	$414,000
Startmate Victorian Accelerator	Startmate	Accelerator	$583,635
Australian Medical Angels (Victorian Branch)	Australian Medical Angels	Angel Network	$300,000
MedTech Actuator – Scale-up and expansion	MedTech Actuator	Accelerator Other	$2,400,000
VC Catalyst (VCC)	Ormond College (Wade Institute)	Other	$1,600,000

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Grants for Refunding Accelerators

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Project type	Funding
Backing more Victorian female founders	Springboard Enterprises Australia (SBE)	Accelerator	$300,000
ASTN SportsTech Accelerator	ASTN	Accelerator	$414,000
Startmate Victorian Accelerator	Startmate	Accelerator	$583,635

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Other Grants

Funding Recipients

Project	Organisation	Project type	Funding
JobHack	JobHack	Online Education Online Platform	$50,000
Founder Education: Pitch Workshops	Startmate	Workshops	$109,640
Online Investor Education Program	Scale Investors	Other	$250,000
That Startup Show Seasons & That Startup Show Studio	That Startup Show	Other	$1,100,000
StartupVic Startup Success Series	Startup Victoria	Online Webinars	$225,000
Growing the Scale Investors Angel Network	Scale Investors	Other	$300,000
Wade Institute Investor Education	Ormond College (Wade Institute)	Other	$2,100,000
Boab AI Scaleup Accelerator	Boab AI	Accelerator	$1,500,000
Startupbootcamp EnergyNext Program	Startupbootcamp	Pre-Accelerator Accelerator Hub (Scaling Startups)	$250,000

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Unsolicited Proposals

In special circumstances, LaunchVic may accept unsolicited proposals for grants outside of its communicated grant rounds or its refunding of high-performing programs.

Any proposal received must meet the following principles:

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.

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FAQs – GRANTS FOR WOMEN’S PRE-ACCELERATOR PROGRAMS

Can an Accelerator apply with a proposal for a Pre-Accelerator program?

Established programs can apply for this grant round if the proposal for a Pre-Accelerator program supporting women entrepreneurs.

I’m not too sure my program fits the LaunchVic definition of a Pre-Accelerator program, can I still apply?

LaunchVic defines a Pre-Accelerator as a program targeted at Startup Entrepreneurs who have a technology-based idea for a startup and want to establish a business and develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). The program runs for a designated period, and participants ‘graduate’ from the program having followed a set methodology to establish a startup. A Pre-Accelerator program can provide a pathway to an Accelerator program. If you are still unsure, please contact grants@launchvic.org

Can this grant help subsidise an existing Pre-Accelerator Program?

Yes. However, LaunchVic will want to understand why, if the program is already running successfully, it would require additional funding. The applicant will have to demonstrate why the funding is required and how additional funding from LaunchVic will make a difference.

Can this grant help subsidise placements for women participants in a broader program?

LaunchVic is only seeking to fund programs committed to providing programs for women.

What is LaunchVic’s position on financial contributions from program participants (startup entrepreneurs)?

LaunchVic recognises that at times charging a fee may enhance the programs sustainability path, and participant commitment. LaunchVic has funded programs in the past that do charge participation fees. Through the application process LaunchVic would want to understand how much the program fee is, why the program fee is required and the commercial model behind it.

When are you looking for the program to commence once funded?

We would expect applications for the Pre-Accelerator Program to be opened by the end of 2023 or sooner.

What information will be required of the team members and their credentials and backgrounds?

Applicants that are eligible include a delivery team that has proven expertise in supporting early-stage technology startups to launch and grow, exemplified by experience in delivering pre-accelerator or other programs. Applicants will need to demonstrate their experience growing women-led startups and startup communities, and request funding for a pre-accelerator program that can realistically help grow women-led startups. Applicants may be required to provide additional information as part of the application process.

Do the businesses have to be in technology or can they be in retail, hospitality or another industry?

Businesses going through the pre accelerator programs can be operating in any sector, but they will need to meet LaunchVic’s definition of a startup.

Startups are technology-based businesses with high impact potential, that use innovation and/or address scalable markets. Their product/service/platform/hardware is driven by technology. Examples of technology include software / applications, artificial intelligence
(AI), blockchain, advanced manufacturing & robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, augmented / virtual reality, 3D printing, advanced materials, genomics & life sciences (including biotech & medtech) and autonomous vehicles.

Do program participants have to be female founders that are building tech startups or is this open to all startups (even those who are not building tech companies)?

Program participants need to be women who have an idea for a technology-based startup and are seeking to launch a startup and register their new Company via ASIC in the State of Victoria, or women running a business that meets LaunchVic’s definition of a startup.

Is there a preference for where the program is focused between metro or regional?

There is no preference to where your program is located or whether you’re targeting regional or metro founders. We do expect you to be able to demonstrate how you plan to recruit participants for the program.

Can partner organisations support multiple applications?

You are able to support multiple applications. However, the assessment panel may question your ability to deliver on multiple projects if they were all selected for funding.

If two accelerators plan to partner on a program, should or can they each apply for funding, or does it need to be a single application?

We would encourage you to consider what makes for the strongest application.

Would organisations that have been funded in previous rounds for a different pre-accelerator be able to apply?

Yes, as long as your program is supporting women startup entrepreneurs.

Is LaunchVic looking to support a specific sector based on strategic priorities?

We would expect if you are submitting an application focused on a particular sector you would be able to demonstrate deep sectoral knowledge and experience, and expect you to demonstrate the need for a program in that sector.

Is the expectation founders that go through the programs are committed full time to the startup?

Not necessarily, we recognise that at pre accelerator level founders are still very early stage and may not yet be working on their startup full time.

If overseas on the Pitch date can you present virtually?

All pitches will be held virtually.

Would you be open to high school programs?

No, we are only supporting programs for people over the age of 18 through this program.

Would you consider an accelerator for female tech founders or does it have to be a pre-accelerator?

We are only looking to support pre accelerator programs. This grant round is focused on bringing new female-led startups to market through early-stage support.

Can childcare be added as a part of the budget for in-person components of the program to help with inclusion particularly for single mothers?

Yes, it’s your budget to design how you best see fit.

Is an existing university-based pre-accelerator limited to students, staff and alumni able to apply?

Yes. We would expect your application to demonstrate the total pool of potential applicants to show there is a pipeline for the program.

How many women founders do you expect to see going through each pre-accelerator?

It does vary by programs. We would expect to see at least 10 people going through each cohort. We aren’t specifying a number for this as we expect you to tell us what makes sense for your program.

When does the program need to start by?

We expect to announce the successful recipients mid 2023 and would hope to see the programs launched by the second half of the year.

FAQs – VICTORIAN AGTECH ANGEL NETWORK GRANT PROGRAM

Can I speak to someone at LaunchVic to discuss my proposal?

LaunchVic is not offering calls or meetings for applicants under this grant program based on our probity policy – operating under a fair and transparent process for all applicants. However, if anything is unclear in the program guidelines or you are unsure if you are eligible to apply, please contact us via email on grants@launchvic.org. We generally respond to emails within 48 hours during the working week.

Can this grant help subsidise an existing Angel Network?

The following applicants are eligible to apply under this Grant Round:
– Angel Investors with demonstrable expertise in investing and/or supporting startups seeking to formalise as a New Angel Network and register as an incorporated association or as a company in the State of Victoria through ASIC; or
– An established Existing Angel Network with demonstrable expertise in investing and/or supporting startups registered outside of the State of Victoria seeking to establish a Victorian branch/office.

When will I know if my application is successful? What is the timeline for this funding round?

Applications close at 10am Friday 5 May 2023. Communication will be made to applicants moving to Stage 2 by Friday 19 May 2023. LaunchVic is looking to contract with the successful recipient in June 2023 with an announcement to follow once contracts have been executed.

How many applicants will be shortlisted? And how many applications will be funded?

The number of shortlisted applicants will depend on the number of quality of applications received. LaunchVic expects to fund one application through this grant round.

What governance structure/s would you expect to see from the syndicates eg. Advisors?

It depends ultimately on the group and how you are setting the network up. Some angel networks do have formal advisory boards, where others do not. We would expect this to be outlined in the Operating Model and Organisational Structure part of the application.

If we have made few but meaningful investments in startups (for example 5 follow-ons in 1 company which is flagged for IPO) – is this enough to show demonstrable experience?

We still require you to demonstrate that your understanding and demonstrable experience in the sector and the investing landscape has led to those investments and you will be able to continue making sophisticated investments into the sector. See below for demonstrable experience.

What does "demonstrable expertise" mean?

Someone who has experience in investing in and/or supporting AgTech startups and has actively been involved in leading investment deals into startups over a period of time. If you are from the startup sector and can show your sectoral knowledge is strong and have some experience in investing, this would also be considered. You need to be able to show you have a deep understanding of the challenges startups face.

How do you define AgTech?

AgTech is the collection of digital technologies that provide the agricultural industry with the tools, data and knowledge to make more informed, timely on-farm decisions and improve productivity and sustainability. Applications of these technologies can include: plant or animal science, crop protection & input management, precision agriculture, indoor agriculture, sensors & smart farm equipment, imagery, animal technologies, processing & packaging, supply chain and hardware.

*FoodTech (food production) is generally not included in this definition, unless the business idea is technology based with high impact potential, using innovation and/or addressing scalable markets

FAQs – AgTech Grants Program

Can I apply for more than $50,000?

The maximum amount of funding awarded to a startup is $50,000.

How many times can I apply for grant funding?

Startups are only eligible to receive one $50,000 grant as part of this funding round. Unsuccessful companies will be permitted to reapply based on feedback from the assessment panel. This will not guarantee their success.

What can I use this grant funding for?

Business Capability and Growth Costs, which includes salaries for new positions and activities that support product and service development costs, business process and system improvement, marketing, communications and sales, customer growth and customer success initiatives, costs that support investment attraction, intellectual property costs, and product trial costs. Salaries for founders and pre-existing staff will not be supported.

The AgTech Grants Program is not intended to support routine operational expenditure, retrospective activities, and the purchase, lease or acquisition of land.

How do you define AgTech?

AgTech is the collection of technologies that provide the agricultural industry with the tools, data and knowledge to make more informed, timely on-farm decisions and improve productivity and sustainability. Applications of these technologies can include: plant or animal science, crop protection & input management, precision agriculture, indoor agriculture, sensors & smart farm equipment, imagery, animal technologies, processing & packaging, supply chain and hardware.

*FoodTech (food production) is generally not included in this definition, unless the business idea is technology based with high impact potential, using innovation and/or addressing scalable markets

Can I speak to someone at LaunchVic to discuss my proposal?

What other support is available?

Startups will also meet with LaunchVic personnel and be able to access connections and networks through LaunchVic and Agriculture Victoria.

How many people will be applying under this grant round?

We have $1 million in funding to deploy through this grant round and applications will remain open until 30 June 2024, or until the funding is fully expended. We expect to fund 20 early-stage agtech startups through this program.

If we have attended an accelerator program, will this work for or against us in the assessment process?

We love to see startups participating in accelerator programs and/or other startup programs, and you will see that educational and professional development activities is part of the assessment criteria. We know that through these programs, participants receive access to mentoring, education, advice and support which is crucial at an early-stage of development.If you are interested in viewing the list of startup programs LaunchVic has supported, visit our website here: https://launchvic.org/programs/

Can marketing and wages be included in the costs, or would it be better to apply for funding for the tech component?

Absolutely, you can apply the funding to new salaries or new marketing efforts that are contributing to the growth of the business.

Do you need to have revenue to apply?

No, you are welcome to apply pre-revenue and/or prior to your product being in market.

What is the timeline of grant assessment?

Applications are open now and will remain open until 30 June 2024 or until all funds are fully allocated. Our Assessment Committee will be assessing applications every second month from May. Interviews with the first round of shortlisted applicants will occur late May and we expect to announce the first recipients in June.

Could you tell us more about the mentoring process?

Of the $50,000, $1,500 is allocated to meeting with a LaunchVic appointed Startup Business Mentor over two 90 minute sessions. The LaunchVic Startup Business Mentor will be able to support you through the grant process and will give you tailored and structured advice to help you with next steps for your business.

Can you use the funding on developing a prototype?

Yes, you are welcome to use the funding to support the costs of developing a prototype.

Would you be able to connect us with farmers who would like to work with startups for any potential pilots and product validation?

Yes, we are keen to connect startups and farmers as part of this grant round and beyond the grant round. We are working closely with Agriculture Victoria and can connect you with their five SmartFarms which are a great way to connect with farmers in the regions you are interested in. Please email us on grants@launchvic.org and we’ll connect you.

Can one founder with multiple projects apply for separate projects?

Yes, however we would encourage you to consider your capacity to deliver on multiple projects at the same time before submitting your application/s. The Assessment Panel will be taking into consideration the number of projects being proposed and the capability of the team to deliver the project/s.

How important is new innovation in this grant round?

LaunchVic’s definition of a startup is a technology-based businesses with high impact potential, that use innovation and/or address scalable markets. We know that there is some great innovation that can be applied to agtech in Victoria, and we want to see in yourapplication that you and your team are capable of executing your proposal.