Victoria is investing more money into the regional startup communuity. The Andrews Labor Government will invest $2.4 million to improve access and participation for communities in the state’s startup sector. The money will be invested by LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup development agency.
Fifteen projects across 26 local government areas in Victoria will receive funding ranging from $50,000 to $400,000 to support startup and entrepreneurial activity in their local regions. Projects include bootcamps, mentoring, meetups, hackathons, masterclasses and workshops. Councils in regional Victoria set to receive either direct or consortia funding include Warrnambool, Corangamite.
Councils set to receive funding across Melbourne include Whittlesea, Melton, Casey, Cardinia, Brimbank, Moreland, Maribyrnong, Hume, Dandenong, Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Moonee Valley.
LaunchVic’s annual Mapping Victoria’s Startup Ecosystem survey revealed only 3 per cent of the state’s startups are based outside of inner Melbourne and are distributed across just three regional centres in Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat.
Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Philip Dalidakis, said, “Every startup has a role to play in Victoria’s future, whether they’re from Mildura or Maribyrnong, and this investment will ensure regional Victorian startups have access to the same resources as those in the city.”
LaunchVic CEO Dr Kate Cornick, said, “LaunchVic has prioritised diversity and inclusion as part of its strategy and this funding complements previous activities by supporting entrepreneurs in outer Melbourne and our regions.”
