CivVic Labs is LaunchVic’s program inviting aspiring and early-stage founders to work on innovation challenges identified by government.
For the latest challenge, we’re partnering with Agriculture Victoria to ask Victorian innovators:
“How can technology create circular economy opportunities in agriculture?”
Through a six-week bootcamp experience, entrepreneurs will learn from industry experts and test their startup ideas supported by $15,000 equity-free funding.
At the end of the experience, two teams will secure a further $35,000 funding to bring their prototype to life.
Expressions of Interest close 1pm, Wednesday 16 April.
What's the Challenge?
How can technology create circular economy opportunities in agriculture?
In agriculture, a circular economy means rethinking farming systems to maximise efficiency, minimise waste, and unlock new revenue streams. It’s not just about sustainability, it’s smart business.
By closing resource loops and reducing environmental impact, Circular Agriculture creates economic opportunities that drive long-term resilience and profitability.
Agriculture Victoria is on the lookout for innovative Circular Agriculture solutions in the latest CivVic Labs challenge with LaunchVic.
Potential focus areas include:
- Material flow and waste reduction: Develop systems or platforms that optimise, manage and track resource flows to minimise waste and maximise reuse;
- Waste-to-value innovation: Transform agricultural residues—such as organic waste, crop by-products, and animal manure—into valuable new products or for reuse on farm;
- Water, energy, and emissions efficiency: Develop technologies that enhance water recovery and reuse, repurpose agricultural waste for energy generation, or significantly reduce emissions;
- Synthetic inputs reduction: Develop alternatives to synthetic fertilisers, plastics, and other conventional agricultural inputs to promote sustainable farming practices;
- Data and decision-making tools: Create software or analytics tools that use data to minimise material and energy footprints and inform better resource management;
- Supply chain and marketplace platforms: Build digital solutions to connect businesses with waste streams, facilitating resource efficiency and circular market development; or
- Any other technology that creates circular economy opportunities in agriculture.
Your solutions should deliver economic benefits, drive sustainability, and strengthen the adaptability of Victoria’s agricultural sector.
Read more in the Program Guidelines.
How does it work?
LaunchVic is seeking to admit 10 startups or startup entrepreneurs to the program. There is no fee for participation. Rather, participant teams will receive $15,000 equity-free funding on completion of the program.
The program is structured to cover topics such as lean startup, co-design, and hypothesis testing, delivered by startup experts. The program is designed to assist innovators in their solution design in the following ways:
- Access to world-class mentors and a cohort of top innovators to build a solution alongside;
- Access to community and stakeholder experts, with specific knowledge of agriculture industry, policy, and customer base; and
- The potential of promotional support from Agriculture Victoria and LaunchVic highlighting innovative startup solutions.
At the conclusion of the program, a judging panel will select two startups to receive $35,000 in equity-free seed funding to further develop their solution.
What startups are we looking for?
CivVic Labs is a program for idea to early-stage startups.
- Idea Stage = working on an idea that has not yet been fully developed or launched in market; or
- Early Stage = testing a prototype in-market, without a significant customer base or revenue.
What are the timings?
Submit Expression of Interest (Closing 1pm April 16)
these stories started in CivVic Labs
CivVic Labs is a proven program for generating commercial ready startups, with alum raising more than $20 million in investment capital since the program’s inception.
Testimonials
The program really encouraged me to experiment and validate my idea early, before building. This is fantastic support and guidance for every early stage founder.
InsightMap, VicHealth Community Access Challenge
From the facilitators and resources to the invaluable connections with top industry and government leaders, the CivVic Labs program has been world-class.
People in Paddocks, Agriculture Victoria Farm Safety Challenge
Connecting with industry, government, and talented people in agriculture who genuinely want to make a difference has been incredibly valuable.
AgriAssure, Agriculture Victoria Farm Safety Challenge
FAQs
What sort of subject matter experts will I spend time with during the program?
Subject matter experts will cover a range of topics across both startup-building knowledge (such as pitching, customer insights, and business structures) and industry/policy knowledge.
How many startups will be accepted into the program?
Up to 10 Startups will be accepted into the program, each receiving $15,000 in seed funding per startup to develop their idea after the program is completed. 2 Startups will receive a further $35,000 in seed funding to build out their solution.
Aside from the 6 weeks of the program, how much extra time is required?
Startups participating in CivVic Labs will need to allocate time outside of the 6 weeks for orientation prior to the program starting, and in between sessions to iterate based on feedback they receive during sessions. You may also have the opportunity to participate in office hours outside the program days. The minimum suggested additional time to allocate is three hours per week.
How many people can be part of a team?
We recommend that teams limit the number of attendees to 3, to maximise the learning opportunity for all participants.
Am I the right stage to apply and participate in CivVic?
CivVic Labs helps founders launch their idea, or go full time on their idea by providing seed-funding whilst building alongside subject matter experts, to fast track your problem solution fit. At the conclusion of the program 2 teams are awarded further seed funding. The ideal founder profile is someone who has an idea, all the way through to someone with a very early product in market. If that is you, and you have a strong interest in the challenge statement, then you are absolutely the right stage to apply and you will benefit from CivVic Labs.
Why should I apply to CivVic Labs?
CivVic Labs is designed to help passionate founders apply innovative thinking to some of the state’s most pressing challenges. There are 3 reasons you should launch your startup within the CivVic program:
Fast-track problem solution fit: CivVic brings together a network of both subject matter experts related to the challenge and startup experts;
Seed-funding: The program is completely free, and you will receive seed-funding to participate in the program. Multiple teams will receive further seed funding at the end of the program.
A proven model: Alumni startups like InternMatch and HAL Systems were developed within CivVic Labs, going on to to become thriving startups.
Where will the in-person sessions be held at?
Each Challenge is held at a different venue, but generally they are in the Melbourne CBD or inner suburbs.
What is the process to apply to CivVic Labs?
The exact application process may vary depending on the challenge requirements. Generally though the process has four stages that run over a two month period:
Expression of interest: Submit your details to register your interest in the program
Application stage: Complete an application form and short video
Interview stage: Submission is reviewed and an online interview is conducted to select the successful applicants
Contracting stage: Successful applicants are required to enter a contract with LaunchVic
What do I need to do to receive the seed funding?
You will need to attend all sessions including the final showcase event. You will also need to send an invoice at the conclusion of the program.
How much funding will I receive?
Each startup selected for CivVic Labs will receive a $15,000 grant. 2 Startups will receive a further $35,000 in seed funding to build out their solution.
Do you take equity in my company?
No, the funding provided in CivVic Labs is equity-free. The money will be processed as a grant, with required milestones needing to be met to receive the funding.