The Victorian Government is delivering more support for regional startups with program funding now available through Victoria’s startup agency LaunchVic.
Expressions of interest are now open with grants of up to $300,000 on offer for programs that promote startup entrepreneurship to regional Victorians.
Local councils, business chambers and regionally based innovation hubs are encouraged to apply with the aim to harness more startup activity in regional communities.
The programs should champion regional innovation, consider the challenges and opportunities that exist for regional startups and also look at ways to build and connect with local communities.
The Victorian Government through LaunchVic has supported more than 160 regional entrepreneurs across a range of areas, such as agtech, food, energy, b2b and enterprise software, to make the leap into the startup world through programs including Startup Shakeup, Startup Gippsland and Runway.
Victoria’s startup industry is growing rapidly, more than doubling in value in the past year to $23.6 billion.
The Government is also supporting the startup sector through several key investments including the Victorian Startup Capital Fund and the $10 million Alice Anderson Fund.
Supporting Victorian startups is one of the Government’s strategic priorities highlighted in the Innovation Statement released in November 2021, with the aim to increase competitiveness and attract national and international investors.
