Got questions about starting, funding, or scaling a startup in Victoria? Our FAQs cover everything from LaunchVic’s programs and co-investment funds to practical advice on validation, product-market fit, and raising capital. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or program provider, find answers tailored to your stage and goals in Victoria’s startup ecosystem.
New to startup terminology? Check out our Startup Glossary for definitions.
Learn about LaunchVic, our mission, funding, and how we support Victoria’s startup ecosystem.
What is LaunchVic?
LaunchVic is Victoria’s startup agency, established in 2016 by the Victorian Government to develop and support a globally-connected startup ecosystem in Victoria, Australia. We work to grow the state’s startup ecosystem by funding programs, supporting investment, and creating opportunities for founders, investors, and the broader startup community.
What is LaunchVic's mission?
Our mission is to support the creation of viable early-stage startups, help founders navigate growth challenges, and unlock private capital to develop Victoria’s early-stage investment landscape. We aim to position Victoria as one of the world’s leading startup hubs.
What are LaunchVic's strategic priorities?
Our purpose is to drive the long-term success of Victoria’s startup ecosystem, with the goals of:
How is LaunchVic funded?
LaunchVic is funded entirely by the Victorian Government. We receive no funding from the private sector, allowing us to focus on maximising impact for Victoria’s startup ecosystem.
What is the Alice Anderson Fund?
The Alice Anderson Fund is a $10 million sidecar fund that co-invests in women-led startups alongside private sector investors. It addresses the gender investment gap by taking 85% of its investment as equity, with the remaining 15% provided as a non-dilutive grant to founders.
What is the Hugh Victor McKay Fund?
The Hugh Victor McKay Fund is a sidecar fund for Victorian AgTech startups, run by LaunchVic with funding from Agriculture Victoria. It co-invests between $100,000-$200,000 into early-stage AgTech startups, with 85% as equity and 15% as a non-dilutive grant.
What is CivVic Labs?
CivVic Labs is the Victorian Government’s gateway into the state’s startup sector. It connects government departments and agencies with startups to explore innovative solutions to public sector challenges, while providing equity-free funding opportunities for participating startups.
What is Basecamp?
Basecamp is LaunchVic’s program designed to help seed to Series A founders attract quality executive talent and make their first executive hires—a critical step in scaling successfully.
What is 30X30?
30X30 is Australia’s premier scaleup program on a mission to create 30 tech unicorns by 2030. It provides executive education for high-growth startups experiencing rapid scaling, helping founders address common growth challenges and bottlenecks.
What is NOVA?
NOVA is LaunchVic’s professional development program for those managing or planning innovation programs across Victoria. It provides practical tools, expert guidance, and a network of peers — along with the chance to benchmark startup program against best practice.
What is Office Hours?
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Does LaunchVic provide direct funding to startups?
LaunchVic primarily provides support through funded accelerator and pre-accelerator programs, and through our investment funds. We currently offer equity-free funding to startups through our CivVic Labs program. We also run two co-investment funds: the Alice Anderson Fund (for women-led startups) and the Hugh Victor McKay Fund (for AgTech startups).
What types of programs does LaunchVic fund for startups?
We fund programs at every stage of the startup journey, including pre-accelerator programs for aspiring entrepreneurs with early-stage ideas, accelerator programs for established startups looking to scale, investor networks including angel groups and venture capital funds, and specialised programs in priority sectors like health tech, climate tech, AI, deep tech, and disability tech.
How do I know if my business qualifies as a startup?
A startup typically has innovation at its core, solving a unique problem or disrupting a market. The product is built on or enabled by technology. It has the potential for rapid growth and mass market or global appeal, not limited by physical location or borders.
How can I apply for LaunchVic programs or funding?
Visit our Programs page for a full list of current opportunities. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified about future funding rounds and program openings. Most programs we fund are delivered by third-party providers, so you’ll apply directly through them.
Does LaunchVic take equity in programs?
LaunchVic has a responsibility to maximise the impact of the funds it administers. This can, in certain circumstances include investing into programs, rather than granting funds, to drive a return on investment. Any returns can then be recycled to generate even greater impacts for the Victorian startup ecosystem.
Does LaunchVic provide sponsorship to the community?
We are reviewing our approach to sponsorship and are unlikely to be making any major sponsorships in the current financial year.
What is a startup?
LaunchVic defines a startup as an innovative, technology-based business that can scale rapidly and capture mass markets.
What does innovative mean?
Innovation is at its core. It may be for example, solving a unique problem, providing a unique solute, addressing a perceived market gap or disrupting a market.
What does technology-based mean?
The product is built on technology, or the service is enabled by technology.
List of possible technologies
What does scale rapidly mean?
It has the potential to grow fast.
What does capture mass markets mean?
The product or service and its application are not defined by bricks and mortar or borders. It has mass market/global appeal and can operate/easily service these markets.
What is a scaleup?
A Scaleup is a hyper-growth startup that has raised at least AUD$5m in a single round and currently has at least 10 employees, no more than 20 years since founding and has a valuation of greater than AUD$30m.
What is a startup ecosystem?
The startup ecosystem is made up of founders, investors, startup employees, community organisations, corporates and government. Working together, we can collectively create a pipeline of successfully scaling startups that contribute to jobs and Gross Domestic Product.
How do I stay updated on LaunchVic opportunities?
Sign up for our newsletter on the LaunchVic website to receive notifications about new funding rounds, program launches, and ecosystem updates.
Does LaunchVic provide sponsorship for community events?
We are currently reviewing our approach to sponsorship and are unlikely to make major sponsorships in the current financial year. Check our website for the latest information.
Where can I find data on Victoria's startup ecosystem?
Visit our Victorian startup database, powered by Dealroom.co, which provides real-time data on Victorian startups, angel groups, venture capital firms, accelerators, and more. This free platform helps promote Victorian startups to local and international investors.
What is the economic impact of Victoria's startup ecosystem?
Victoria’s startup ecosystem has grown significantly, with the number of startups more than tripling since 2017 from around 1,000 to over 4,300. The ecosystem has grown in value from $5.6 billion in 2016 to approximately $130-143 billion today, creating high-value, high-skilled jobs across the state.
How do I report a scam?
LaunchVic has been made aware of scams involving individuals falsely claiming to represent our organization using addresses like launchvic@gmail.com. These fraudulent emails claim you’ve received a grant and request bank details. These messages are NOT from LaunchVic. Do not respond, engage with the sender, or share any personal or financial information. Report suspicious communications to our official channels.
How can I contact LaunchVic?
For funding inquiries, send us an enquiry through our website contact form. For media inquiries, contact our communications team at the email addresses listed in our announcements section.
What you need to know about starting, validating, funding, and growing your startup in Victoria.
What is a startup?
LaunchVic defines a startup as an innovative, technology-based business that can scale rapidly and capture mass markets.
See our handy Startup Glossary for more startup terminology
How do I know if I have a startup idea or just a business idea?
A startup idea typically involves innovation at its core—solving a unique problem or disrupting an existing market in a new way. It should be technology-enabled, have the potential for rapid scalability, and appeal to mass markets beyond local boundaries. If your idea relies heavily on physical location, traditional service delivery, or incremental improvements to existing solutions, it may be better suited as a traditional business rather than a startup.
What are the first steps I should take as an aspiring founder?
Start by validating your problem. Talk to potential customers to understand if the problem you’re solving is real and significant enough that people will pay for a solution. Research your competitors and the market landscape. Build a simple version of your solution (an MVP or minimum viable product) to test with early users. Connect with Victoria’s startup community through events, programs, and networks. Consider joining a pre-accelerator program to gain structured support, mentorship, and connections as you develop your idea.
Do I need technical skills to start a tech startup?
While technical skills are valuable, they’re not essential to start. Many successful founders are non-technical and partner with technical co-founders or outsource development initially. What matters most is understanding your customers, validating your market, and building a compelling product vision. If you’re non-technical, focus on customer discovery, business strategy, and finding the right technical partner or team to bring your vision to life.
Should I quit my job to work on my startup?
Most successful founders don’t quit their jobs immediately. Start by validating your idea in your spare time—talk to customers, build prototypes, and test your assumptions. Once you have clear evidence of market demand, early traction, or secured funding, you can make a more informed decision about going full-time. Pre-accelerator programs are designed to support founders who are still working while exploring their startup ideas.
What is an MVP and do I need one?
An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of your product that solves the core problem for your customers. It’s not about building something perfect—it’s about testing your assumptions quickly and learning from real users. Your MVP might be a landing page, a simple prototype, or even a manual service that mimics what your technology will eventually do. Building an MVP helps you validate demand before investing significant time and money into full development.
How do I find a co-founder?
Look for co-founders within your existing network—former colleagues, university connections, or people you’ve worked with on projects. Attend startup events, hackathons, and accelerator programs where you can meet like-minded individuals. Join online communities and founder-matching platforms. The best co-founder relationships are built on complementary skills, shared vision, mutual trust, and similar work ethics. Take time to get to know potential co-founders before committing—work together on a small project first.
How do I validate that my idea is worth pursuing?
Validation starts with customer discovery. Conduct interviews with at least 20-30 potential customers to understand their problems deeply. Look for patterns in their responses—are they experiencing the same pain points? Are they currently paying for solutions? Would they pay for yours? Test different aspects of your idea: the problem, your solution, pricing, and distribution channels. Strong validation means customers are willing to commit time, attention, or money before your product exists.
What is customer discovery and why is it important?
Customer discovery is the process of deeply understanding your target customers—their problems, needs, behaviors, and willingness to pay for solutions. It’s important because most startups fail not from poor execution, but from building something nobody wants. Through customer discovery interviews, you learn whether your assumptions are correct, who your real customer is, what features matter most, and how to position your product. This research shapes everything from product development to pricing to marketing strategy.
How much should I build before talking to customers?
Talk to customers first, build second. Many founders make the mistake of building for months before getting customer feedback. Start conversations with potential customers before you write any code. Use mockups, wireframes, or descriptions of your solution to gauge interest. The goal is to learn what customers actually need, not to show them a finished product. Your early conversations will save you months of building the wrong thing.
How do I know if I've found product-market fit?
Product-market fit is when customers actively seek out your product, use it regularly, and tell others about it. Signs include: strong retention rates, organic growth through word-of-mouth, customers being disappointed if they couldn’t use your product anymore, and sustainable unit economics. You’ll feel the pull from the market rather than pushing your product onto customers. For most early-stage startups, product-market fit is a journey, not a single moment.
Should I protect my idea with an NDA or patent?
For most early-stage startups, asking people to sign NDAs before discussing your idea creates friction and limits valuable feedback. Ideas alone have little value—execution is what matters. Focus on validating and building rather than protecting. Patents can be valuable for deep tech or hardware startups with genuine technological innovation, but they’re expensive and time-consuming. Consult with a startup lawyer if you believe your innovation truly warrants patent protection, but don’t let IP concerns stop you from talking to potential customers and advisors.
How much money do I need to start my startup?
Start with as little as possible. Many successful startups begin with founders’ personal savings, working part-time while validating their ideas. Your goal in the earliest stages is to prove your concept with minimal investment. Focus on customer discovery, building an MVP, and getting early traction. Once you’ve validated your idea and shown early signs of success, you’ll be in a much stronger position to raise external funding or apply for accelerator programs that provide capital.
When should I start raising investment?
Raise investment when you have clear evidence of traction and a specific plan for how the capital will accelerate growth. Investors want to see that you’ve validated your market, have early customers or users, and understand your key metrics. For most startups, this means raising after you’ve built an MVP and have some evidence of product-market fit. Pre-accelerator and accelerator programs can provide early funding while you’re still proving your concept.
What's the difference between a pre-accelerator and accelerator program?
Pre-accelerator programs support aspiring founders who are still exploring and validating their ideas. They’re designed for people who may still be employed and are testing whether their startup idea is viable. These programs focus on customer discovery, MVP development, and early validation. Accelerator programs are for founders with established startups who have demonstrated some product-market fit and are ready to scale. They provide intensive support, mentorship, and often investment to help startups grow rapidly.
What support is available for founders in Victoria?
Victoria has a thriving startup ecosystem with extensive support for founders at all stages. LaunchVic funds pre-accelerator and accelerator programs, investment funds, and angel networks. Programs like CivVic Labs offer equity-free funding opportunities. There are numerous coworking spaces, founder communities, mentorship programs, and educational resources. Check out our list of current programs and opportunities tailored to different founder needs and stages.
Do I need to give up equity to join a program?
It depends on the program. Pre-accelerator programs typically don’t take equity. Many accelerator programs do take equity (usually 5-12%) in exchange for funding, mentorship, and connections. Some programs, like CivVic Labs, offer equity-free funding. Always carefully review program terms before applying and consider what you’re receiving in return—the right program can be worth the equity through the value it provides in acceleration, connections, and follow-on funding opportunities.
What legal structure should I use for my startup?
Most Australian tech startups establish as a proprietary limited company (Pty Ltd). This structure is familiar to investors, provides liability protection, and allows for equity distribution to founders and future investors. Consult with a startup lawyer to ensure your company structure, shareholder agreement, and equity arrangements are set up correctly from the start.
How do I split equity with my co-founders?
Equity splits should reflect each founder’s contribution, commitment, and role going forward—not just the initial idea. Common approaches include equal splits for founders with similar commitments, or weighted splits based on factors like full-time vs part-time involvement, expertise, and risk taken. Use vesting schedules (typically 4 years with a 1-year cliff) so equity is earned over time. This protects the company if a founder leaves early. Have honest conversations about expectations and formalise agreements in writing early.
When should I hire my first employee?
Hire when you have validated product-market fit, consistent revenue or funding, and specific growth bottlenecks that require additional capacity. Your first hires should address critical gaps in your founding team’s skills or capacity. Before hiring full-time employees, consider contractors, part-time workers, or interns to test the need and maintain flexibility. Programs like Basecamp can help you make strategic hiring decisions and attract quality executive talent when you’re ready to scale.
How do I build a pitch deck?
A strong pitch deck tells your startup’s story in 10-15 slides. Essential elements include: the problem you’re solving, your solution, market size and opportunity, your business model, traction and key metrics, competitive landscape, team credentials, and funding requirements. Focus on clarity and compelling storytelling rather than excessive detail. Your deck should generate interest and lead to conversations, not answer every possible question. Test your pitch with mentors and other founders before presenting to investors.
How do I measure startup success in the early stages?
Early-stage success metrics vary by business model but generally focus on validation and traction. Key indicators include: number of customer discovery interviews completed, early customer acquisition and retention rates, user engagement metrics, revenue or revenue pipeline, customer acquisition cost (CAC) versus lifetime value (LTV), and speed of iteration. In the earliest stages, learning velocity—how quickly you test and validate assumptions—is often more important than vanity metrics like social media followers or website traffic.
Where can I connect with other founders in Victoria?
Victoria has a vibrant founder community with numerous opportunities to connect. Attend startup events, pitch nights, and networking meetups regularly held across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Join coworking spaces where founders congregate. Participate in LaunchVic-funded programs and workshops. Engage with online communities and local founder groups on platforms like LinkedIn and Slack. Many accelerators and incubators host open events. Building relationships with other founders provides support, learning opportunities, and potential partnerships as you grow.
Discover how to get started as an investor in Victoria, and how LaunchVic supports investors through angel networks, co-investment funds, and VC programs.
What is an angel network?
An angel network is a formalized group of angel investors who collectively evaluate and invest in entrepreneurial ventures. LaunchVic has funded multiple angel networks to establish in Victoria, providing more seed funding opportunities for local startups.
How can LaunchVic help me invest in Victorian startups?
LaunchVic supports investors through angel network funding that connects you with early-stage deals, investor education programs like VC Catalyst that build knowledge and confidence, and VC fund support to establish new venture capital funds in Victoria.
Does LaunchVic require co-investment in the Alice Anderson Fund or Hugh Victor McKay Fund?
Yes, both funds operate as sidecar funds, meaning we co-invest alongside private sector investors. This unlocks additional capital for startups in your pipeline while allowing founders to retain more ownership of their companies.
What venture capital funds has LaunchVic supported?
LaunchVic has funded numerous VC funds to establish in Victoria, collectively targeting to raise hundreds of millions in capital for Victorian startups across sectors including health tech, climate tech, deep tech, women-led ventures, AI-native startups, and more.
What is the Alice Anderson Fund?
The Alice Anderson Fund is a $10 million sidecar fund that co-invests in women-led startups alongside private sector investors. It addresses the gender investment gap by taking 85% of its investment as equity, with the remaining 15% provided as a non-dilutive grant to founders.
What is the Hugh Victor McKay Fund?
The Hugh Victor McKay Fund is a sidecar fund for Victorian AgTech startups, run by LaunchVic with funding from Agriculture Victoria. It co-invests between $100,000-$200,000 into early-stage AgTech startups, with 85% as equity and 15% as a non-dilutive grant.
Information for program providers on grants, funding opportunities, and priority sectors for accelerators, pre-accelerators, and VC funds.
Can I apply for a grant to run a program in Victoria?
Yes, LaunchVic offers grants for program providers to establish pre-accelerator programs, accelerator programs, angel networks, and venture capital funds in Victoria. Grant opportunities are announced periodically—sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.
What types of programs does LaunchVic fund?
We fund pre-accelerator programs for aspiring founders developing MVPs, accelerator and incubator programs for established startups looking to scale, angel networks to increase seed funding availability, and VC support grants to cover operational costs for VC funds establishing in Victoria.
How much funding is available for programs?
Funding varies by program type and round. Recent rounds have offered up to $400,000 for programs supporting AI and deep tech founders, and $300,000 grants for VC funds through the VC Support Program.
What sectors is LaunchVic prioritising?
Priority sectors include health technologies, circular economy, agribusiness, digital technologies including AI and quantum, advanced manufacturing and defence, climate tech, and disability tech.
Does LaunchVic accept unsolicited proposals?
LaunchVic accepts unsolicited proposals only where they meet specific principles outlined on our website. In particular, proposals must not offer programs that could be offered by another party, such as standard accelerator, pre-accelerator, angel network, or VC fund proposals.
What is NOVA?
NOVA is LaunchVic’s professional development program for those managing or planning innovation programs across Victoria. It provides practical tools, expert guidance, and a network of peers — along with the chance to benchmark startup program against best practice.
Information about how LaunchVic provides grants and funding to the ecosystem, including our Open Grants.
Does LaunchVic provide direct funding to startups?
LaunchVic primarily provides support through funded accelerator and pre-accelerator programs, and through our investment funds. We currently offer equity-free funding to startups through our CivVic Labs program. We also run two co-investment funds: the Alice Anderson Fund (for women-led startups) and the Hugh Victor McKay Fund (for AgTech startups).
What types of programs does LaunchVic fund for startups?
We fund programs at every stage of the startup journey, including pre-accelerator programs for aspiring entrepreneurs with early-stage ideas, accelerator programs for established startups looking to scale, investor networks including angel groups and venture capital funds, and specialised programs in priority sectors like health tech, climate tech, AI, deep tech, and disability tech.
How do I know if my business qualifies as a startup?
A startup typically has innovation at its core, solving a unique problem or disrupting a market. The product is built on or enabled by technology. It has the potential for rapid growth and mass market or global appeal, not limited by physical location or borders.
How can I apply for LaunchVic programs or funding?
Visit our Programs page for a full list of current opportunities. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified about future funding rounds and program openings. Most programs we fund are delivered by third-party providers, so you’ll apply directly through them.
Does LaunchVic take equity in programs?
LaunchVic has a responsibility to maximise the impact of the funds it administers. This can, in certain circumstances include investing into programs, rather than granting funds, to drive a return on investment. Any returns can then be recycled to generate even greater impacts for the Victorian startup ecosystem.
Does LaunchVic provide sponsorship to the community?
We are reviewing our approach to sponsorship and are unlikely to be making any major sponsorships in the current financial year.
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.
| 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. |
If you haven’t found what you are looking for on this page, contact our team to discuss how we can help.
