Last Updated: Tuesday 28 October
Victorian startups are teaming up with local tourism operators to reinvent how visitors experience the state, as part of the CivVic Labs Experience Victoria Challenge.
In partnership with the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, ten teams have been selected to take part in the challenge-based pre-accelerator program, which has been running across various verticals since 2019.
The lineup features everything from an AI solution helping motel owners modernise operations, to an app for divers to find the best nearby dive sites using live weather data.
Read more about the teams below and sign up to LaunchVic’s newsletter to keep up with the challenge.
Marissa Johnson & Matt Foulds, Co-Founders, COGO
Meet the teams
Bon Lemóns
Helping event, experience, and service business owners build loyal and profitable reoccurring customer bases.
Founder: Lyndsey Fisk
COGO
COGO is a fitness app that connects athletes with coaches and local groups, simplifying scheduling, payments and communication to build community through sport.
Co-Founders: Marissa Johnson & Matt Foulds
Common Space
Common Space connects underused venues with creators and community groups, transforming idle spaces into accessible hubs for collaboration, income generation, and vibrant neighbourhood life.
Founder: Sweni Shah
Sweni Shah, Founder, Common Space
DiveScout
DiveScout is an app that helps you find the best dive sites nearby based on live weather conditions.
Founder: Lourdes Zamanillo
KalTechD
Unlocking lost Victorian tourism revenue due to lack of disability, accessibility, inclusivity information: critical information preventing inclusive tourism across Victoria.
Co-Founders: Tim Mumford & Jade Germantis
Motel Tech
An AI tech solution to motel management, aiding aging owners to transition to retirement, create jobs, and drive maintenance of affordable tourist accommodation in the regions.
Founder: Jessica Turner
Questoria
Questoria is a location-based game transforming Victoria into a live adventure map. Visitors collect mascots like Pinky-the-Penguin, unlock rewards and operators gain customers and insights.
Founder: Adelaide Cochrane
Sushanta Das, Founder, tRetail Labs
The Past Connection
The Past Connection is a central platform connecting ‘past’-focused tourism businesses with contemporary audiences interested in curated heritage events, experiences, stays and journeys across Victoria.
Founder: Jaye Leighton
tRetail Labs
tRetail Labs’ nrtureAI is an Agentic AI CX platform that uncovers emotional drivers of traveler behaviour and spend, enabling smarter visitor economy strategies.
Founder: Sushanta Das
Vozi
Vozi is an AI phone agent for restaurants, handling bookings and takeaway orders 24/7 so venues never miss a customer call.
Founder: Nick Davenport
