Key Insights

This report tracks a decade of growth in Victoria’s startup ecosystem and its contribution to the state’s economy.

Startups as Job Creators

More than 68,000 people now work in Victorian startups, up 86 per cent since 2020.

Melbourne Ranks Third for its Startup Creation Rate

Melbourne ranks third globally for its startup creation rate (124%).

Investment Accelerates

Over the past decade capital raised has increased 1,028%

Female Founder Numbers are Growing

Startups with at least one female founder increased from 28% (2018) to 45% (2025)

Startups are no longer a niche part of the economy. Victorian startups are creating jobs, attracting investment, paying higher wages and selling into global markets.

These are the foundations of a stronger, more self-sustaining economy.

– Leigh Jasper, Outgoing Chair, LaunchVic

Access the Report

Download the full report to see how the Victorian ecosystem has grown over the past decade.

More from LaunchVic

Victoria backs next wave of AI and DeepTech Founders

Aspiring Victorian entrepreneurs will be backed by a new suite of pre-accelerator programs to help turn bright ideas into viable businesses.

Read More Read More

New Entity for Victoria’s Innovation Ecosystem

Victoria has a world-class research sector and innovation ecosystem, and both LaunchVic and Breakthrough Victoria have played a critical role in supporting this success.

Read More Read More

Inside LaunchVic’s Latest Basecamp Cohort

LaunchVic has unveiled the first cohort of its exciting new program, Basecamp, aimed at helping early-stage founders navigate one of the toughest hurdles in scaling a business – hiring their first executive team.

Read More Read More

Record Investment Fuels Victoria’s Startup Surge

A new report from LaunchVic and our global data partner, dealroom.co, shows Victorian startups are attracting record levels of investment, leading the nation with $2.4 billion raised in 2025.

Read More Read More

Statement from the LaunchVic Board

The Board of LaunchVic today announced that Chief Executive Officer Dr Kate Cornick has resigned, having accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer at the Tech Council of Australia.

Read More Read More

Victoria backs next wave of AI and DeepTech Founders

Aspiring Victorian entrepreneurs will be backed by a new suite of pre-accelerator programs to help turn bright ideas into viable businesses.

Read More Read More

New Entity for Victoria’s Innovation Ecosystem

Victoria has a world-class research sector and innovation ecosystem, and both LaunchVic and Breakthrough Victoria have played a critical role in supporting this success.

Read More Read More

Inside LaunchVic’s Latest Basecamp Cohort

LaunchVic has unveiled the first cohort of its exciting new program, Basecamp, aimed at helping early-stage founders navigate one of the toughest hurdles in scaling a business – hiring their first executive team.

Read More Read More

Record Investment Fuels Victoria’s Startup Surge

A new report from LaunchVic and our global data partner, dealroom.co, shows Victorian startups are attracting record levels of investment, leading the nation with $2.4 billion raised in 2025.

Read More Read More

Statement from the LaunchVic Board

The Board of LaunchVic today announced that Chief Executive Officer Dr Kate Cornick has resigned, having accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer at the Tech Council of Australia.

Read More Read More

Watch: What is the best way for founders to connect with investors?

Find Out More Find Out More

Watch: What are the biggest mistakes founders make when fundraising?

Find Out More Find Out More

Watch: What makes a great pitch?

Find Out More Find Out More

Watch: What qualities do investors look for in founders?

Find Out More Find Out More

Watch: When is the right time for a founder to raise?

Find Out More Find Out More

Watch: What is the best way for founders to connect with investors?

Find Out More Find Out More

Watch: What are the biggest mistakes founders make when fundraising?

Find Out More Find Out More

Watch: What makes a great pitch?

Find Out More Find Out More

Watch: What qualities do investors look for in founders?

Find Out More Find Out More

Watch: When is the right time for a founder to raise?

Find Out More Find Out More

How IMRA are pioneering surgical training without sacrifice

North Melbourne scaleup IMRA manufactures hyper-realistic, synthetic and reusable organs for use in medical training.

Discover More Discover More

EnAccess Maps is taking the anxiety out of everyday trips for mobility aid users

Meet Sabrina from EnAccess Maps, a platform to help people using mobility aids find accessibility information on the places they’re planning to visit.

Discover More Discover More

Fresho: Fresh food meets frictionless tech

Fresho is a global B2B platform connecting thousands of fresh food suppliers with chefs and restaurants across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland and the United States.

Discover More Discover More

The two elements powering Factor House’s global success

This Melbourne startup is solving headaches for software engineers across the world.

Discover More Discover More

Inside Cuttable: The new venture from Unicorn Founder Sam Kroonenburg

Finding great people and trusting your gut: hiring lessons from A Cloud Guru co-founder Sam Kroonenburg.

Discover More Discover More

How IMRA are pioneering surgical training without sacrifice

North Melbourne scaleup IMRA manufactures hyper-realistic, synthetic and reusable organs for use in medical training.

Discover More Discover More

EnAccess Maps is taking the anxiety out of everyday trips for mobility aid users

Meet Sabrina from EnAccess Maps, a platform to help people using mobility aids find accessibility information on the places they’re planning to visit.

Discover More Discover More

Fresho: Fresh food meets frictionless tech

Fresho is a global B2B platform connecting thousands of fresh food suppliers with chefs and restaurants across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland and the United States.

Discover More Discover More

The two elements powering Factor House’s global success

This Melbourne startup is solving headaches for software engineers across the world.

Discover More Discover More

Inside Cuttable: The new venture from Unicorn Founder Sam Kroonenburg

Finding great people and trusting your gut: hiring lessons from A Cloud Guru co-founder Sam Kroonenburg.

Discover More Discover More