Hugh Victor McKay Fund | AgTech Startup Investment | LaunchVic

FUNDING FOR AGTECH STARTUPS

LaunchVic Fund

The Hugh Victor McKay Fund is a $2 million co-investment fund for Victorian AgTech startups run by LaunchVic with funding from Agriculture Victoria.

The Fund invests up to $200,000 alongside individual investors, angel groups and early-stage VC’s.

Up to $30,000 of the investment is provided as a grant to the startup, the remainder is taken as equity. This means founders hold more stake in their company at the early stages. 

Who can apply?

Local and international investors working on active deals with Victorian AgTech startups can apply to the fund on behalf of their portfolio company.

That’s because as a co-investment fund, the Hugh Victor McKay Fund relies on the investor’s due diligence and expertise in making investment decisions, not a direct application from the startup.

For more information about how this works, read our application guidelines.

Application Guidelines

Key benefits


Close your capital raise faster

Unlock up to $200,000 with a quick and easy application process.


Hold onto more ownership of your company.

85% of our investment is taken as equity, the rest goes to the founder as a direct grant.


Unlock connections

LaunchVic will open up our networks to help portfolio founders find investors for follow on rounds, connect with government and access talent.
Application Guidelines
Investment Playbook

Investment Committee

Founding Chairman, Scale Investors

Susan Oliver AM (Chair)

Founding Chairman, Scale Investors

Susan Oliver AM (Chair)

Founding Chairman, Scale Investors

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CEO & Co-Founder, shilo.people | CEO & Founder, pivotnow

Ilona Charles

CEO & Co-Founder, shilo.people | CEO & Founder, pivotnow

Ilona Charles

– Ms Ilona Charles is an experienced executive with an extensive career in human resources, transformation and change across a range of industries. 

Ilona has held executive roles with the CSIRO, Aconex, Telstra, Medibank and NAB and is currently the CEO and co-founder of ShiloPeople (shilo.), providing world-class on-demand HR talent and consulting solutions across Australia.

She also founded pivotnow, providing strategic people advice to Founders, CEO’s and Boards of organisations going through significant transition or scaling up. 

Special Responsibilities

– Chair of the People Sub-Committee​

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ADVISOR, INVESTOR AND DIRECTOR, AULTMORE PTY LTD

Amanda Derham

ADVISOR, INVESTOR AND DIRECTOR, AULTMORE PTY LTD

Amanda Derham

ADVISOR, INVESTOR AND DIRECTOR, AULTMORE PTY LTD

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Co-Founder, Tenacious Ventures and Partner, AgThentic

Matthew Pryor

Co-Founder, Tenacious Ventures and Partner, AgThentic

Matthew Pryor

Co-Founder, Tenacious Ventures and Partner, AgThentic

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