Governor of Victoria Startup Awards
Celebrating the outstanding contribution of the Victorian startup sector.
Selection Criteria
Individual Categories (Nominated by the public)
- Ecosystem Hero of the Year
- Must be a resident of the State of Victoria.
- Demonstrated contribution to the development of the Victorian startup ecosystem that is above and beyond their current role.
- This is an individual award. Organisations are not eligible.
- Investor of the Year
- Must be a resident of the State of Victoria.
- Must have made at least three early-stage investments (defined as being less than $7M) into a Victorian startup or scaleup in 2024
- This is an individual award. Organisations are not eligible.
Company Categories
- Best Newcomer
- For firms less than three years old.
- Startup of the Year
- For those that have raised a minimum Series A in the last four years and meet one of the following:
- a) Have raised less than or equal to $10 million to date*, OR
- b) Have less than or equal to 50 employees
- For those that have raised a minimum Series A in the last four years and meet one of the following:
- Scaleup of the Year
- For firms less than ten years old that meet one of the following:
- a) Have raised more than $10 million to date*, OR
- b) Employ more than 50 people.
- For firms less than ten years old that meet one of the following:
*For the period ending 31 December 2024
The awards for Best Newcomer, Startup of the Year and Scaleup of the Year categories are selected from a shortlist of the top 30 Victorian startups based on criteria that include: money raised, age of the firm and job creation or number of employees.
This data comes from LaunchVic’s startup database, dealroom.launchvic.org, powered by global startup and VC platform dealroom.co.
Shortlisted applicants provide a written submission assessed by an external expert panel.
For the Investor of the Year and Ecosystem Hero of the Year awards, LaunchVic invites nominations from the public.
Expert Panel
- Dr Kate Cornick, CEO, LaunchVic
- Constantine Frantzeskos, Founder, SalesChef.ai
- Claire Rogers, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Oho
- Brigitte Smith, Founder and Managing Director, GBS Venture Partners
- David Swan, Technology Editor, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
2025 Winners
Startup of the Year
A “Travel as a Service” platform from the co-founders of popular travel app, The Bali Bible.
Best Newcomer
Creators of Abi-an AI-powered robot companion built to combat loneliness in aged care.
2025 Finalists
Best Newcomer
Startup of the Year
Ecosystem Hero of the Year
Investor of the Year
2024 Winners
Best Newcomer
Joint Winner
Breakthrough Green Ammonia production technology for the agriculture and energy sectors.
Startup of the Year
Satellite mapping technology that performs productivity and disaster risk assessments from space.
Scaleup of the Year
An ASX-listed company that adds AI to road safety cameras to detect distracted drivers.
Past Winners
2023
- Best Newcomer: Willed
- Startup of the Year: Mr Yum (now m&u)
- Scaleup of the Year: Zeller
- Ecosystem Hero of the Year: Emily Casey, What the Health
- Investor of the Year: Nick Crocker, Blackbird
Rachael Neumann, Flying Fox
2022
- Best Newcomer: Currus Biologics
- Scaleup of the Year: Linktree
- Startup of the Year: Seer Medical and Amber Electric
- Ecosystem Hero of the Year (People’s Choice) Aiman Hamdouna, Co-Founder & CEO, Hatch Quarter
- Ecosystem Hero of the Year (Expert Panel’s Choice) Jonathan Jeffries, Co-Founder, Think & Grow
- Investor of the Year (People’s Choice and Expert’s Choice) Aprill Enright-Allen and Matt Allen, Co-Founders, Tractor Ventures
- Regional Ecosystem Hero of the Year (Posthumous) Peter Dostis, Co-Founder and CEO, Runway
FAQs
Is there a fee to enter?
No, there is no fee to enter or participate in the Governor of Victoria Startup Awards.
Can I nominate myself?
The Best Newcomer, Startup of the Year and Scaleup of the Year categories will be selected using quantitative data from LaunchVic’s startup database, dealroom.launchvic.org, rather than a nomination process.
However, you are welcome to nominate yourself, or someone you believe is worthy for the Investor of the Year and the Ecosystem Hero of the Year categories. The top nominations for each category will then be put to an external expert panel to decide the winner.
I’ve been nominated, but I don’t want to participate. What do I do?
LaunchVic will advise you if you have been shortlisted for a specific category at which time you can communicate your wish to be involved.
I live interstate – can I nominate someone?
Yes, as long as you are nominating a Victorian-based startup, scaleup, investor, or community builder.
How are the finalists chosen?
The Best Newcomer, Startup of the Year and Scaleup of the Year categories will be selected using quantitative data from LaunchVic’s startup database, This data comes from LaunchVic’s startup database, dealroom.launchvic.org rather than a nomination process.
For the Investor of the Year and Ecosystem Hero of the Year, LaunchVic will invite nominations from the public.
The LaunchVic team will shortlist the top nominations for each category based on the eligibility criteria, and our external expert panel will assess this list to determine the winners.
Can I win again if I was a winner last year?
No, not in the same category.
What is the prize for the Governor of Victoria Startup Awards?
There is no ‘prize’ (monetary or in-kind). However, the winner receives ‘acknowledgment’ of the highest order from the Governor of Victoria for being #1 ranked in front of their colleagues and peers.
What is LaunchVic's role in the awards?
LaunchVic, as Victoria’s startup agency, is coordinating the Awards Process, using both quantitative (Dealroom) and qualitative (Victorian expert panel) metrics to evaluate nominations.