LaunchVic’s Kate Cornick steps up to lead Tech Council of Australia as the Victorian startup agency prepares to merge with Breakthrough Victoria.
Dr Kate Cornick is leaving LaunchVic after a decade building Victoria’s startup ecosystem and stepping into one of the most influential roles in Australian technology: CEO of the Tech Council of Australia.
The LaunchVic Board announced that Cornick has resigned, having accepted the position at the Tech Council. She will commence her new role on 5 May 2026.
Kate joined LaunchVic in 2016. Since then, Victoria’s startup ecosystem has grown from 1,000 startups to approximately 4,400, more than 40 per cent of which have received support from LaunchVic. The sector is now valued at $139 billion, representing almost 28 times growth over the past decade.
LaunchVic Chair Leigh Jasper said Kate had played an integral role in building and strengthening Victoria’s startup ecosystem.
“Under Kate’s leadership startup creation in Victoria has grown significantly, the venture capital landscape has been transformed and the sector’s economic contribution is recognised,” he said. “She is widely respected for her deep sector expertise and strong relationships across industry and government. The Tech Council of Australia is fortunate to have her leading the organisation.”
The transition ahead
The timing of Cornick’s departure coincides with significant structural change. In the coming weeks, Kate and the Board will continue to work with Government to support LaunchVic’s transition to a new entity, as announced by the Victorian Government, and ensure stability for the team, programs and the broader startup ecosystem.
“The Board thanks Kate for her leadership and wishes her every success in her new role leading the Tech Council of Australia,” Jasper said.
LaunchVic’s LinkedIn announcement confirmed that the organisation’s work continues as planned during the transition, with a strong pipeline of activity ahead, including the latest Basecamp cohort, NOVA and the announcement of an AI and DeepTech pre-accelerator grant round.
What continues
Despite the leadership change and upcoming organisational transition, LaunchVic has emphasised continuity in its programs and support for Victoria’s startup community. The agency continues to operate with its existing programs and commitments intact as it works through the transition to becoming part of a new entity.
For the broader Australian technology sector, Cornick’s move to the Tech Council represents experienced leadership at a national level from someone who has spent a decade directly building startup infrastructure and relationships across industry and government. Her track record of growing Victoria’s ecosystem from 1,000 startups to 4,400, and helping transform the venture capital landscape, positions her to advocate for technology policy and startup support at a national scale.
The transition period will be closely watched by Victoria’s startup community as LaunchVic merges into the new entity while maintaining program delivery. For the Tech Council, Cornick brings deep sector expertise and proven capability in building ecosystems that support startup growth and venture capital development.
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