Getting Started as a First-Time Investor in Victoria
Help & Support For Aspiring Angel Investors in Victoria
If you’re considering your first investment in a startup, you’re entering a high-risk, high-reward space where your capital can directly support innovation and growth.
Early-stage investing gives you access to emerging opportunities, a chance to connect with talented founders, and the potential to be part of building the next generation of industry-leading companies. With the right knowledge and networks, you can invest with confidence and make an impact.
Understanding the Asset Class
Startup investing sits at the high-risk, high-reward end of the investment spectrum. While strong returns are possible, many early-stage companies do not succeed, and capital can be tied up for long periods. A clear understanding of how to invest — including developing portfolio strategies, conducting due diligence, and setting successful investment terms — is essential before getting started.
Ways to Get Started
The best first step for new investors is to take part in a structured education program and join an established angel investment network. These pathways provide access to peer learning, experienced mentors who can help you build confidence in your approach, and improved deal flow.
Investor Education
For those looking to deepen their knowledge, LaunchVic funds the VC Catalyst program, delivered by the Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship. This immersive executive education program equips investors with tools and frameworks to make successful early-stage venture investments.
Designed for participants with some investment literacy or exposure to high-growth ventures, the program helps refine investment theses, assess risk appetite, and understand venture capital models. Past participants have included:
- Family office investment managers
- Corporate venturing team members
- Emerging and future fund managers
- Founders turned funders
- Current and aspiring angel investors
By understanding your investor status, exploring pathways that suit your goals, and connecting with trusted networks, you can confidently start investing in Victorian startups with the right knowledge and impact.
Joining an Angel Investor Network
An angel investment network is a formalised group of investors who collectively invest in early-stage ventures. Members share insights, pool due diligence, and often invest together to support startup founders.
LaunchVic has funded many angel networks across Victoria to increase early-stage capital and strengthen local investor capability. These networks welcome new members who meet eligibility criteria, which may include being a sophisticated or wholesale investor under Australian law.
Explore Fund & Angel Directory
Equity Crowdfunding
Equity crowdfunding platforms allow investors to back startups directly. In Victoria and across Australia, platforms such as Birchal and VentureCrowd provide regulated, high-growth deal flow, opening opportunities for smaller-scale investors.
Featured Programs
Launcher Pre-accelerator
Supporting early-stage startups that are improving the lives of people with disability.
RMIT [Re]Launch
The RMIT [Re]Launch Pre-accelerator supports Victorian circular economy Startup Entrepreneurs.
Ochre Pre-Accelerator
Supporting Indigenous founders at the earliest-stages of their entrepreneurial journeys.
Resources for Angel Investors
Getting Started with Angel Investing
A concise 101 summary by Fullstack.
What is an angel investor, and how to be successful
Quick 2-minute article with a linked ebook.
A Guide to Deal Sourcing for Angel Investors
Practical guide to finding promising startups.
How to Perform Due Diligence as an Angel Investor
Step-by-step advice on evaluating opportunities.
Have a question?
If you’re considering your first investment in a startup, you’re entering a high-risk, high-reward space where your capital can directly support innovation and growth.
Early-stage investing gives you access to emerging opportunities, a chance to connect with talented founders, and the potential to be part of building the next generation of industry-leading companies. With the right knowledge and networks, you can invest with confidence and make an impact.
Understanding the Asset Class
Startup investing sits at the high-risk, high-reward end of the investment spectrum. While strong returns are possible, many early-stage companies do not succeed, and capital can be tied up for long periods. A clear understanding of how to invest — including developing portfolio strategies, conducting due diligence, and setting successful investment terms — is essential before getting started.
Ways to Get Started
The best first step for new investors is to take part in a structured education program and join an established angel investment network. These pathways provide access to peer learning, experienced mentors who can help you build confidence in your approach, and improved deal flow.
On this page:
Understanding the Asset Class
Ways to Get Started
Investor Education
Other Learning Opportunities
Joining an Angel Investor Network
Resources for Angel Investors
Equity Crowdfunding
Investor Education
For those looking to deepen their knowledge, LaunchVic funds the VC Catalyst program, delivered by the Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship. This immersive executive education program equips investors with tools and frameworks to make successful early-stage venture investments.
Designed for participants with some investment literacy or exposure to high-growth ventures, the program helps refine investment theses, assess risk appetite, and understand venture capital models. Past participants have included:
- Family office investment managers
- Corporate venturing team members
- Emerging and future fund managers
- Founders turned funders
- Current and aspiring angel investors
By understanding your investor status, exploring pathways that suit your goals, and connecting with trusted networks, you can confidently start investing in Victorian startups with the right knowledge and impact.
Joining an Angel Investor Network
An angel investment network is a formalised group of investors who collectively invest in early-stage ventures. Members share insights, pool due diligence, and often invest together to support startup founders.
LaunchVic has funded many angel networks across Victoria to increase early-stage capital and strengthen local investor capability. These networks welcome new members who meet eligibility criteria, which may include being a sophisticated or wholesale investor under Australian law.
Link to LV-funded angels
Resources for Angel Investors
If you’re considering your first investment in a startup, you’re entering a high-risk, high-reward space where your capital can directly support innovation and growth.
Early-stage investing gives you access to emerging opportunities, a chance to connect with talented founders, and the potential to be part of building the next generation of industry-leading companies. With the right knowledge and networks, you can invest with confidence and make an impact.
Understanding the Asset Class
Startup investing sits at the high-risk, high-reward end of the investment spectrum. While strong returns are possible, many early-stage companies do not succeed, and capital can be tied up for long periods. A clear understanding of how to invest — including developing portfolio strategies, conducting due diligence, and setting successful investment terms — is essential before getting started.
Ways to Get Started
The best first step for new investors is to take part in a structured education program and join an established angel investment network. These pathways provide access to peer learning, experienced mentors who can help you build confidence in your approach, and improved deal flow.
Investor Education
For those looking to deepen their knowledge, LaunchVic funds the VC Catalyst program, delivered by the Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship. This immersive executive education program equips investors with tools and frameworks to make successful early-stage venture investments.
Designed for participants with some investment literacy or exposure to high-growth ventures, the program helps refine investment theses, assess risk appetite, and understand venture capital models. Past participants have included:
- Family office investment managers
- Corporate venturing team members
- Emerging and future fund managers
- Founders turned funders
- Current and aspiring angel investors
By understanding your investor status, exploring pathways that suit your goals, and connecting with trusted networks, you can confidently start investing in Victorian startups with the right knowledge and impact.
Joining an Angel Investor Network
An angel investment network is a formalised group of investors who collectively invest in early-stage ventures. Members share insights, pool due diligence, and often invest together to support startup founders.
LaunchVic has funded many angel networks across Victoria to increase early-stage capital and strengthen local investor capability. These networks welcome new members who meet eligibility criteria, which may include being a sophisticated or wholesale investor under Australian law.
Link to LV-funded angels
Equity Crowdfunding
Equity crowdfunding platforms allow investors to back startups directly. In Victoria and across Australia, platforms such as Birchal and VentureCrowd provide regulated, high-growth deal flow, opening opportunities for smaller-scale investors.
On this page:
Understanding the Asset Class
Ways to Get Started
Investor Education
Other Learning Opportunities
Joining an Angel Investor Network
Resources for Angel Investors
Equity Crowdfunding