Vic Govt supports regional start-ups

Regional Victorian start-ups will receive $2.4 million in funding from the state government, to help boost their access and participation.

The funding will be invested through LaunchVic and will support 15 projects across 26 local government areas in Victoria — ranging from $50,000 to $400,000 to support start-up and entrepreneurial activity in local regions.

“Every start-up has a role to play in Victoria’s future, whether they’re from Mildura or Maribyrnong, and this investment will ensure regional Victorian start-ups have access to the same resources as those in the city,” said Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Philip Dalidakis.

Projects include boot camps, mentoring, meetups, hackathons, masterclasses and workshops.

Councils in regional Victoria set to receive either direct or consortia funding include Warrnambool, Corangamite, Moyne, Ballarat, Latrobe, Wellington, Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Towong, Benalla, Indigo, Mansfield, Wangaratta and Mildura.

Councils set to receive funding in Melbourne include Whittlesea, Melton, Casey, Cardinia, Brimbank, Moreland, Maribyrnong, Hume, Dandenong, Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Moonee Valley.

“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,” said LaunchVic CEO Dr Kate Cornick.

LaunchVic’s annual Mapping Victoria’s Startup Ecosystem survey revealed only 3% of the state’s start-ups are based outside inner Melbourne, and are distributed across just three regional centres in Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat.

This investment complements LaunchVic’s Startup Guide and Toolkit released late last year to help councils secure funding to implement programs and activities that nurture start-up activity and encourage greater participation within their communities.

“Ballarat is already establishing a great start-up culture and we’re excited about regional Victoria taking full advantage of its potential,” said Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford.

Image credit: ©ra2 studio/Dollar Photo Club

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