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Grant FAQs

Below are Frequently Asked Questions for our open grants.

If you have a question regarding LaunchVic funding, send us an enquiry using the form below.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Grants for University Pre-accelerator Programs

I am an existing program. Am I eligible to apply for this grant?
No, we are seeking to fund the establishment of new pre-accelerator programs as part of this grant round.
Can I speak with someone at LaunchVic to discuss my application?
LaunchVic is not offering calls or meetings for applicants under this program based on our probity policy – operating under a fair and transparent process for all applicants. If you are unsure if you are eligible to apply or have any questions about the grant program, please contact us via email on grants@launchvic.org. We generally respond to emails within 48 hours during the working week.
Can an organisation be a part of numerous submissions?
Yes, however consideration will be given to the capacity of the organisation to lead and deliver multiple programs.
Can a program receive other funding sources to support the funding from LaunchVic?
Yes, programs can receive monetary or in-kind contributions from Partner Organisations. If you have received a funding commitment from a Partner Organisation, you will need to provide a letter of support for the contribution to be considered.
If my application is successful, when will the start date of my program be?
As set out in the application guidelines, it is anticipated that contracting and announcement of successful recipients will occur in late June. Applicants can propose a start date for the program from July 2025 onwards and set out a proposed timeline for program delivery. If the application is successful, the start date will then be discussed and determined in consultation with LaunchVic.
When will I know if my application is successful? What is the timeline for the funding round?
Please refer to www.launchvic.org/grants for the most up to date timings.
Are there any specific focus areas you’re looking for in the program that will be delivered?
The focus for this round is on supporting entrepreneurs to launch new startups, as defined in the grant guidelines. While we are not targeting any specific vertical or industry, you are welcome to focus your proposed program on specific industries if you choose.

Funding for New Venture Capital Funds

I am an existing VC fund. Am I eligible to apply for this grant?
No. Existing VC funds operating in Victoria that have achieved a final close of the Fund to which this application relates are not eligible to apply for this grant round.
Can I have a chat to someone at LaunchVic to discuss my proposal?
LaunchVic cannot coach or guide you on your application. We are 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 at grants@launchvic.org. We generally respond to emails within 48 hours during the working week.
When will I know if my application is successful? What is the timeline for the funding round?
Please refer to www.launchvic.org/grants for the most up to date timings.
What is the maximum funding amount available to applicants?
Applicants seeking up to $300,000 (exclusive of GST) over 2 years are eligible
What is the minimum fund size required for applicants to be eligible?
Applicants must be seeking to raise a fund of at least $10 million with a focus on investing in Victorian Startups.
How is the grant dispersed?
The grant is disbursed in installments. An initial payment of approximately 10% is made after completing milestone 1, with subsequent payments based on meeting recipient-specific milestones. The full grant is usually disbursed over two years, with the possibility of early payments for early milestone completion.
Does the Lead Partner refer to an individual or a body corporate?
The Lead Partner refers to an individual.
We are an established fund based in Sydney and currently raising a new fund. Would we be considered a New to Victoria Fund?
New to Victoria Funds are existing funds with a head office interstate or overseas, that have not yet established an office in Victoria, but agrees to open an office in Victoria with a Partner (or equivalent member of the Senior Management Team) that permanently resides in Victoria. Assuming you are continuing to be based in New South Wales but expanding into Victoria, it would be appropriate for you to answer as a New to Victoria Fund.
Is it a requirement that member(s) of the Investment Committee are based in Victoria?
We want you to build a highly competent Investment Committee. We understand that competence can be found in diverse locations, and we welcome international and interstate members to be included on the Investment Committee, as long as they are able to dedicate the necessary time and have the relevant expertise.
Can applicants without ASIC registration apply?
Yes, applicants can apply without ASIC registration. However, if you don’t have it, obtaining the registration will become a required milestone to demonstrate.
What is the average timeframe to secure an AFSL license in Victoria?
There are multiple ways you can secure an AFSL license and we would recommend consulting with an expert to determine the best course of action for you.
Do you have sectors that you are focusing on? Will funds only be approved that support those sectors?
We are not focusing on specific sectors. However, if applicants would like to focus on a specific sector it is up to applicants to outline the sectors that need to be focused on. The application needs to clearly demonstrate the need for funding (a pipeline of quality companies) and expertise in the area/s of focus.
What is the stage of investment required? (i.e. is it pre-seed or seed focused? Or can the fund be focused only on Series A/B etc. only?)
We’re focused on pre-seed, seed, and series A investments.

Grants for Victorian Angel Networks

Can I have a chat to someone at LaunchVic to discuss my proposal?
LaunchVic cannot coach or guide you on your application. We are 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 at grants@launchvic.org. We generally respond to emails within 48 hours during the working week.
When will I know if my application is successful? What is the timeline for the funding round?
Please refer to www.launchvic.org/grants for the most up to date timings.
I have been previously funded by LaunchVic, am I eligible to apply?
No. Existing Angel Networks that previously received funding from LaunchVic are not eligible to apply.
Does the Lead Partner need to reside in Victoria to be eligible for funding?
The Lead Partner must commit to permanently reside in Victoria.
What is the maximum funding amount available to applicants?
Applicants seeking up to $300,000 (exclusive of GST) over 2 years are eligible
Do you require two letters of support for each Lead Partner or two letters of support altogether?
A total of two letters of support will be sufficient.
What should the letter of support consist of?
The letters of support should align with and complement your capability statement.

AgTech Grants Program

Can I apply for more than $50,000?
The maximum amount of funding awarded to a startup is $50,000.
Can I include costs relating to managing the grant such as report writing and financial tracking in the budget?
Costs relating to managing the grant are generally considered routine operational expenditure and are not intended to be supported by the grant.
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?
LaunchVic is not offering calls or meetings for applicants under this program based on our probity policy – operating under a fair and transparent process for all applicants. If you are unsure if you are eligible to apply or have any questions about the grant program, please contact us via email on grants@launchvic.org. We generally respond to emails within 48 hours during the working week.
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?
In May the Victorian Government announced an extra $1 million funding for the AgTech Grants Program. The program will remain open until 30 June 2025, or until the funding is fully expended. We expect to fund 20 early-stage agtech startups through this next phase.
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 are 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: 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 the market.
What is the timeline of grant assessment?
Applications are open now and will remain open until 30 June 2025 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 the 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 business with high impact potential, that uses innovation and/or addresses scalable markets. We know that there is some great innovation that can be applied to agtech in Victoria, and we want to see in your application that you and your team are capable of executing your proposal.
If I am working as a sole Founder, who do I list as secondary contact on the application form given this is a mandatory field?
Please add your details to both primary and secondary contact and you will be able to progress with the application.

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