The Victorian Government established LaunchVic in March 2016 to
support the development and growth of the local startup ecosystem.
Since being established, we have run two successful funding
rounds, supporting 26 projects that will ensure the right startup
infrastructure is in place for Victorian startups and entrepreneurs
to grow their businesses.
We have also reviewed our strategy to ensure we are best placed
to provide more support to founders and investors, address any
identified market failures inhibiting the growth of the startup
ecosystem, and meet our goals of:
Engaging the Victorian
community in the
startup ecosystem.
What we have done
2 Positioning Victoria as an
internationally recognised
startup ecosystem.
1
Startup ecosystem highlights
Nov
2015
• LaunchVic announced
Jan
2016
• LaunchVic Board appointed
Apr
2016
• Round 1 funding opens
Sept
2016
• Round 2 funding opens
• Fintech Australia Collab/Collide
2016 Summit
Nov
2016
Aug
2016
• Round 1 recipients announced
Mar
2016
• LaunchVic established as a company
• Bright Sparks program launchDec
2016
Jan
2017
• LaunchVic engages with over
125 stakeholders across the
startup ecosystem
• Round 2 recipients announced
Mar
2017
• Girl Geek Academy
#SheHacksVic program launch
• Ecosystem mapping survey opens
• Round 2 recipient 500
startups announced
Apr
2017
• Western BACE Digital BACE
makerspace launch
• Runway Geelong launch
• Outcome-Hub launch May
2017
Feb
2017
• Pause Fest 2017
• Round 3 funding opens
• LaunchVic announces
revised focus
Watch this space!
June
2017
The startup ecosystem is made up of founders, investors,
startup teams, 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.
The startup ecosystem
LAUNCHVIC2017 TO 2019FOCUS AREAS
What we mean by startups
We know startups mean many di�erent things to di�erent
people, but it is important to have a shared understanding
of who LaunchVic supports.
Our definition of a startup is a business with high impact potential
that uses innovation and/or addresses scalable markets.
Startups are not limited to just tech. We support high growth
businesses right across the economy.
They aren’t small or micro businesses, or businesses with a
small number of employees – if you are one of these check
out Small Business Victoria.
Successful startups, also known as ‘scaleups’, are important
in a startup ecosystem because they contribute to the economy
and provide valuable role models for budding entrepreneurs.
While we have a vibrant and active startup community,
we need to do more to achieve our global potential.
LaunchVic’s role is to help grow and assist Victoria’s
startup ecosystem to achieve its potential as a diverse
and internationally recognised centre of startup activity.
We have developed a startup funnel, which outlines the
startup lifecycle and where LaunchVic is focusing its e�orts.
But founders and investors equally play an important role
in developing the ecosystem.
We want to see more founders with big ideas that have
global reach; we want to develop a stronger investor
community; we want to work with existing founders
to ensure they have maximum chance of success; and
we want startups to be better connected to corporates.
How can you help?
In refining our focus, we looked at globally competitive and leading ecosystems;
reviewed Victoria’s key strengths that could become major strategic advantages;
and spoke to more than 125 stakeholders from across Victoria’s startup ecosystem.
LaunchVic’s focus
GOALS OBJECTIVES
Engage and grow the Victorian startup community.
Leading with diversity and inclusion, support programs that encourage more new founders to engage with the Victorian startup community and start their own business.
Encourage connections and collaboration across the startup ecosystem, communicate Victoria’s strengths and raise awareness of opportunities across the ecosystem.
Position Victoria as an internationally recognised startup ecosystem.
Leverage key strengths in health and wellbeing to create a critical mass of startup expertise and achieve global recognition for our startup community.
Support the Victorian startup community to grow world-class companies, by supporting existing founders to scale up; encourage a stronger investor community; and attract talent.
Leading with diversity and inclusion, support programs that encourage more new founders to engage with the Victorian startup community and start their own business.
Increase the pipeline of founders.
Celebrate diversity.
Encourage connections and collaboration across the startup ecosystem, communicate Victoria’s strengths and raise awareness of opportunities across the ecosystem.
Greater recognition and understanding of the Victorian startup ecosystem.
Celebrate our successes!
Leverage key strengths in health and wellbeing to create a critical mass of startup expertise and achieve global recognition for our startup community.
Increase the pipeline of startups' focused on health services, medical and bio technologies, pharmaceuticals, sport and wellbeing.
Celebrate our successes!
Support the Victorian startup community to grow world-class companies, by supporting existing founders to scale up; encourage a stronger investor community; and attract talent.
Support existing founders as they scale their businesses.
Create a strong investor community.
Encourage more people to work in startups.
OUTCOMES