The number of startups in Victoria has more than tripled since 2017 to 3,500, but access to early-stage venture capital remains a barrier.
LaunchVic addresses this market challenge through targeted funds and programs that will catalyse investment in Victoria’s early-stage startups. By fostering connections with angel investment networks and attracting more venture capital, LaunchVic helps you invest in Victoria.
Build your confidence and capability to back Victorian startups.
An investor provides funding for startups in exchange for an equity stake in the company.
Types of investors include:
LaunchVic runs two targeted investment funds focusing on under serviced areas in the startup ecosystem:
Between 2018-2021 only 4% of Australian VC funding went to women-founded startups. LaunchVic is working to change things with the $10 million Alice Anderson Fund, a sidecar fund that co-invests in women-led startups with private sector investors.
The Hugh Victor McKay Fund is a sidecar fund for Victorian AgTech startups run by LaunchVic with funding from Agriculture Victoria. The fund will co-invest between $100,000-$200,000 into at least ten early-stage AgTech startups over the next 12 months.
No. 100% of the funding comes from the Victorian Government. Instead, startup investors, whether that be angel networks or VCs, can get involved by putting forward promising startups in your pipeline for co-investment. This will unlock more capital for the startups you are working with, allowing them to scale faster and increasing your chances of a return.
An angel investment network is a formalised group of angel investors that collectively evaluate and invest in entrepreneurial ventures.
Key benefits for members include:
LaunchVic has funded ten angel networks to establish in Victoria and invest in startups.
VC Firms are investment entities set up to hold funds collected from other investors and invest on their behalf into startups or early-stage businesses with high growth potential. These investors can be institutions (superfunds, corporations) or high net worth individuals.
LaunchVic has funded eight new Venture Capital (VC) funds to set up in the state. The new VC funds will collectively target to raise over $300 million in capital for Victorian startups, significantly boosting funding for startups and supporting the broader startup ecosystem.
LaunchVic also funds VC Catalyst, a venture capital investing course delivered by the Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship at the University of Melbourne that focuses on providing the next wave of VCs with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and networks to invest in early-stage startups.
With LaunchVic’s funding, the program has supported more than 60 investors to unlock a collective $72.64 million in startup investment since 2019.
LaunchVic runs a range of VC events throughout the year helping local investors connect with the Victorian startup ecosystem. Sign up to our newsletter for a monthly roundup of upcoming events.
