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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grants for Pre-accelerator Programs
| If I am an AI or DeepTech startup, can I apply for this grant? |
| No. This grant is not available to startups. It is specifically for pre-accelerator program providers that support early-stage founders and startup development. |
| I am an existing program. Am I eligible to apply for this grant? |
| Yes. Existing pre-accelerators with an active grant agreement with LaunchVic may apply for additional funding. Any new funding awarded through this grant round will be contracted via milestone payments that commence after the end date of your current grant and will be contingent on the successful achievement of KPIs under your existing agreement. |
| Can I speak with someone at LaunchVic to discuss my application? |
| To ensure a fair and transparent process for all applicants, LaunchVic does not offer individual calls or meetings regarding applications under this program. If you are unsure about your eligibility or have questions about the grant, please contact us via email at grants@launchvic.org. We aim to respond to all emails within 48 hours during the working week. |
| Are there any specific focus areas you’re looking for in the program? |
| LaunchVic is seeking to fund pre-accelerators that support early-stage founders focused on AI and DeepTech startups. Additionally, we welcome pre-accelerators aligned with the Victorian Government’s priority sectors, including: Health technologies, Circular economy, Agribusiness, Digital technologies, including AI and quantum, Advanced manufacturing and defence. Sector-agnostic pre-accelerators may also apply, but they should demonstrate a strong AI or DeepTech focus in their program delivery. |
| What is the maximum funding available to applicants? |
| Applications of up to $400,000 (plus GST) over a maximum of two years are eligible. The grant program timeline will conclude in April 2028. |
| Can someone be listed as key personnel on multiple applications? |
| Yes, a person can be listed as key personnel on more than one application. |
| Can a partner organisation submit the application? |
| The applicant must be the organisation that is responsible for organising and running the pre-accelerator program. If successful, this organisation will be contracted with LaunchVic and will be responsible for meeting all KPIs and grant terms. If a partner organisation is involved but not delivering the program, they cannot submit the application.The application, however, should outline the partner’s involvement and describe the nature of their contributions in detail. |
| Can an organisation submit more than one application? |
| Yes, more than one application is allowed as long as the organisation can deliver each program. The assessment panel will review all applications from an organisation, factoring in the delivery capacity and the quality of each proposal. |
| Are there any industries that should not be included? |
LaunchVic adheres to Victorian Government Policy on ESG Prohibited Activities. The applicant or startups supported by the proposed pre-accelerator program must not be involved with:
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| Will unsuccessful applicants receive feedback on their applications? |
| There is a limit to the amount of feedback that LaunchVic can provide. While we share general insights from the assessment panel on the strengths and weaknesses of an application, we cannot provide detailed or specific feedback. This ensures we do not influence or coach applications that may be submitted in future rounds. |
| How many programs does LaunchVic intend to support? |
| LaunchVic intends to fund up to eight programs, depending on the number and quality of applications received. While the aim is to award up to eight grants, the final number will be determined by the strength of the proposals submitted. |
| Do Letters of Support need to come from third parties? |
| Yes. Letters of Support should be provided by an external partner or third party. Letters from within your own organisation are not required. |
| Can the pre-accelerator program support international startups? |
| The program should primarily target Victorian founders and startups (regional Victoria allowed). Startups based outside Victoria may still participate; however, they will not count toward contracted KPIs or outcomes linked to the grant. |
| Do participants need to be incorporated before entering or completing the program? |
| No. Participants and startups do not need to be incorporated to enter or graduate from a funded pre-accelerator. Programs are welcome to support participants with incorporation or ABN registration if they choose. |
| Would receiving this funding affect eligibility for other grants, such as the ARENA hydrogen development scheme? |
| LaunchVic cannot comment on the assessment criteria of other funding bodies. From LaunchVic’s perspective, applying for or receiving other grants does not impact your eligibility for this grant round. |
| How is the funding paid? Are payments linked to milestones? |
| Yes. If your application is successful, your contract will outline specific milestones and associated payment instalments. The first payment is made after the review and approval of Milestone 1 and is generally 10% of the total grant amount (subject to change). Most contracts include 5–7 milestones, but the number may vary depending on program design, cohort structure, and activities. |
| Can we begin advertising or recruiting for our program before knowing the grant outcome? |
| Yes, you may begin advertising or recruiting at your own discretion. However, you must not use LaunchVic branding or imply LaunchVic support prior to funding being confirmed. Any early advertising does not guarantee funding success. |
| Can a program accept a mix of DeepTech/AI and non-DeepTech/AI participants? |
| Applicants are welcome to propose a mix of participants and provide rationale for such. The programs, however, must align with the overall focus of the grant, which is to support early-stage founders building AI and DeepTech startups, or demonstrate a strong AI or DeepTech component in their service delivery. For more information, please review the program guidelines. |
| Does LaunchVic prefer programs delivered online, in person, or hybrid? |
| LaunchVic has no preference regarding delivery mode. Programs may be delivered online, in person, or hybrid, provided the choice is clearly justified in the application. |
| How should a new organisation position itself compared to established programs or universities? |
| All applications, whether from new organisations, existing programs, or universities are assessed on quality of their application. Applicants should clearly demonstrate things like a program’s capability and experience, the expertise of key personnel, strong alignment with the grant objectives and founder need etc. For more information, please review the Key Assessment Criteria, contained in the program guidelines. |
| Can you provide any further guidance on the expected total number of participants? |
| LaunchVic does not have a prescribed or expected number of participants that each program must deliver, nor are we able to provide a recommendation on cohort size. We recognise that programs may vary in structure, intensity, and delivery model. Applicants should therefore propose a realistic number of participants per cohort that accurately reflects what their program is capable of delivering effectively, and clearly describe this in the application. |
| Do the “at least two cohorts” need to be run at different points in time? |
| LaunchVic does not have specific requirements regarding the timing or structure of cohorts. Applicants should clearly outline how they intend to deliver their cohorts, including whether cohorts are run sequentially or concurrently, and explain the rationale for this approach. Applications should also demonstrate the applicant’s capability to deliver the program in the proposed structure. |
| Is LaunchVic open to program providers having mechanisms to earn equity in future ventures? |
| If a program provider proposes mechanisms such as charging fees or earning equity, this should be clearly outlined in the application. Any such arrangements will be considered as part of the assessment process, and the assessment panel may seek further clarification if required. |
| What does “graduate” mean for reporting purposes? |
| For reporting purposes, LaunchVic defines a graduate as a participant who has completed the pre-accelerator program from start to finish — meaning they applied, were accepted, attended, and completed the program. Graduates would typically attend the end-of-cohort event (e.g. a pitch night). If a participant is unable to attend due to illness or personal circumstances, they can still be counted as a graduate, though attendance is strongly encouraged. |