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Startup Ecosystem
Government Partners
Victoria’s startup ecosystem is supported by government agencies that provide funding, programs, and policy settings to help founders start, scale, and compete globally. These partners work alongside investors, accelerators, and research institutions to create an environment where startups can thrive.
The Victorian and Australian governments play an active role in supporting startups at every stage. From early-stage grants and co-investment funds to trade missions and regulatory sandboxes, government partners provide resources that complement private sector support. Whether you’re looking for funding, export assistance, or connections to research infrastructure, these agencies can help.
LaunchVic
LaunchVic is Victoria’s startup agency, established by the Victorian Government in 2016. Our role is to build the confidence and capability of Victorians to create, scale, and invest in startups. LaunchVic delivers grants to ecosystem builders, funds accelerator and pre-accelerator programs, and runs initiatives like the Alice Anderson Fund for women founders and the Hugh Victor McKay Fund for agtech startups. We also publish research on Victoria’s startup ecosystem and maintains a database of local startups.
Breakthrough Victoria
Breakthrough Victoria is a $2 billion investment fund established by the Victorian Government to back innovation that benefits the state’s economy and improves people’s lives. The fund provides patient capital to startups and scaleups across five priority sectors: health and life sciences, agri-food, clean economy, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing. Through its $100 million University Innovation Platform, Breakthrough Victoria partners with seven Victorian universities to commercialise research and support early-stage founders.
Website: breakthroughvictoria.com
Invest Victoria
Invest Victoria is the Victorian Government’s investment attraction agency. It helps international and interstate companies establish and expand operations in Victoria, and supports local businesses to access global markets. For startups, Invest Victoria provides connections to talent, infrastructure, and government programs. The agency also promotes Victoria’s strengths in key sectors including fintech, healthtech, AI, and clean technology.
Website: invest.vic.gov.au
Global Victoria
Global Victoria helps Victorian businesses, including startups, to export and expand internationally. The agency operates trade offices in key markets across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Global Victoria runs trade missions, provides market intelligence, and connects founders with potential customers, partners, and investors offshore. For startups ready to scale beyond Australia, Global Victoria offers tailored support to enter new markets.
Website: global.vic.gov.au
Agriculture Victoria
Agriculture Victoria supports innovation in the state’s food and fibre industries, including the agtech startup sector. The agency operates research facilities like AgriBio and SmartFarms, which provide infrastructure for testing and developing agricultural technologies. Agriculture Victoria also partners with LaunchVic on initiatives like the Hugh Victor McKay Fund and the Farmers2Founders program, connecting agtech founders with funding and commercialisation support.
Website: agriculture.vic.gov.au
Australian Government – Industry Innovation and Science Australia
At the federal level, Industry Innovation and Science Australia oversees programs that support startups and R&D activity. This includes the R&D Tax Incentive, which provides tax offsets for eligible research and development activities, and the Entrepreneurs’ Programme, which offers advisory services and grants. The Australian Government also regulates ASIC’s Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox, which allows fintech startups to test products without a full licence.
Website: industry.gov.au
How to engage with government partners
Government agencies typically support startups through:
- Grants and co-investment: Funding for programs, product development, or matched investment alongside private capital
- Programs and infrastructure: Access to accelerators, research facilities, and commercialisation support
- Export and trade support: Introductions to international markets, trade missions, and in-market assistance
- Policy and regulation: Regulatory sandboxes, visa pathways for talent, and industry consultations
Most agencies publish open grant rounds and program opportunities on their websites. Our website is a good starting point for founders seeking an overview of what’s currently available.