LaunchVic

Great news for DeepTech startups. 🎥 While AI is making it easier for founders to build with less, investors still see real opportunity in startups that require more upfront capital. Hear more from Shuyun Zhang (Boson Ventures), Hugh Stephens (Galileo Ventures), Samantha Ng (Pacific Channel), Brett Ogilvie (Pacific Channel) and Nicholas Ooi (Investible). Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/gezXHx6c #Startups #VentureCapital #AI #DeepTech #Founders #Victoria

🚀 Victorian Startup Ecosystem Wrap | Friday 29 May 🗓️ 3 Jun: [Re]Launch Pre-Accelerator Showcase Pitch Night. RMIT University https://lnkd.in/gTkFpe6W 🗓️ 9 Jun: Angel Curious: Reverse Angel Pitch Night. M8 Ventures 
https://luma.com/2y7vt74z 

 🗓️ 16 Jun: Be the Answer: From SEO to AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) to Capture High-Intent AI Traffic. Sonar Group https://lnkd.in/guVwtsnD Current Opportunities

 MAP Accelerator: Founders are immersed in a high-performance environment with access to Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs), mentors, and the wider MEC ecosystem, designed to help exceptional teams move faster and think bigger. Applications close 14 June. University of Melbourne https://lnkd.in/gSsSKXWE 

 Startup Sprint: a high-intensity, venture-building program designed to help you transform your idea into a market-ready prototype. Applications close 21 June. Monash University https://lnkd.in/etqAVtqe 

 Ecosystem News

 Big news for two recipients of LaunchVic's VC Support Program this week.... Synthesis Capital has secured cornerstone backing from Superannuation giant HESTA for its debut fund targeting early-stage medtech startups. https://lnkd.in/gNR2fuX2 And Advance VC has hit its $15M raise target just 12 months after launch. https://lnkd.in/gH34YK3F

How should later stage companies handle investor updates? Often at the later stage this is where communications can drop off, but as Justine Carzino, CFA explains, clear, intentional communication can make or break an exit strategy. Want to hear more insights from investors? Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/dChRpZNW Episode 3 of BOLD proudly features: Rachael Neumann (Flying Fox Ventures), Justine Carzino (OneVentures), Timothy Hui (Mandalay Venture Partners), and Rohan W. (Skalata) Special thanks to Madeleine Hanger Grummet and Sanders Place for hosting the shoot. #BOLD #LaunchVic #RaisingCapital #VentureCapital

AIBUILD are an up-and-coming startup working with organisations keen to transform their industries with tech. In the midst of a big growth phase, the team are doing LaunchVic's Basecamp program to nail the hiring fundamentals and identify the skills they need next to scale. Hear more from CEO & Founder Yifei Wang. Want to learn more about LaunchVic’s Basecamp program? Click here: https://lnkd.in/gCBKJHNk

What qualities do investors look for in founders? We asked top investors in Victoria which founder qualities matter most over time. Across different funds, the same traits keep showing up: deep problem connection, self-awareness, coachability, and the ability to build teams beyond the founder. Watch the full founder qualities video: https://lnkd.in/gqBgkW-7 Featuring: Shuyun Zhang (Boson Ventures), Hugh Stephens (Galileo Ventures), Samantha Ng (Pacific Channel), Brett Ogilvie (Pacific Channel), Nicholas Ooi (Investible)

🚀 Victorian Startup Ecosystem Wrap | Friday 22 May 🗓️ 26 May: Flip the Pitch. State Library Victoria
 https://lnkd.in/gNu2d5pV 🗓️ 26 May: Remarkable Launcher 2026 Showcase. Remarkable Tech https://lnkd.in/dKVBhwwg 🗓️ 3 Jul: Startup Sips: EOFY Edition. Aussie Founders Club https://luma.com/3b87oh09 Alumni Wins 30X30 Alumni IMRA Surgical: has expanded into Brazil through new distribution partnership with Strattner.
 https://lnkd.in/d88BYRZw 

 30X30 Alumni BuildPass: is posting more than 50% month-on-month growth in the US, with global revenue now running above 100% year-on-year.
https://lnkd.in/dN2D52xM Current Opportunities 2026 Startup Daily Best in Tech Awards: Nominations for Australia’s biggest celebration of startup innovation. Applications close 19 June.
https://lnkd.in/dW_zn4A8

What types of funding are available for startups?
 Raising capital is one of the biggest challenges founders face. Explore the funding pathways available to startups as they grow: https://lnkd.in/g9Qunf6P Understanding the main funding pathways can help you choose the approach that best supports your startup’s growth.
 Non-dilutive Funding (keep your ownership)
 • Grants from government or research organisations to support innovation
 • Revenue-based financing where repayments come from a share of revenue
 • Crowdfunding from a community of supporters or early customers
 Dilutive Funding (exchange equity for capital)
 • Venture capital from investment funds backing high-growth startups
 • Angel investors providing early capital, mentorship and networks
 • Angel networks pooling investors to fund promising ventures
 Blended Capital • Some funds combine equity investment with grant funding
 • This can help founders access capital while reducing early dilution 
 Choosing the right funding path often depends on your stage. Many founders combine multiple funding sources over time, using non-dilutive funding early, then raising equity to accelerate growth.
 
 #LaunchVic #Startups #StartupFunding #VictoriaStartups

Congratulations to the participants of NOVA who completed their program this past Tuesday. NOVA is LaunchVic's new professional development program for those managing or designing innovation programs across Victoria. Cohort One spent seven months deep-diving into program design - from recruitment, to alumni support and measuring impact. The biggest thing they gained though is access to a new community and network of peers. A huge thank you to Ken Sandy & Elle Phillips for making the inaugural first program a huge success. We look forward to seeing these tools applied to programs across Victoria, each of you are an integral part of the startup ecosystem. Learn more about NOVA: https://lnkd.in/gCW8dzn7 ⭐ 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 ⭐ Andrew Gray Fiona Lewis Juan Polanco Katrina Gaskin Laxmi Pun Lillian Dipnall Lizzie Laurence Manon Dennison Matt Broughton May Flaming Olivia Rinato (PhD) 🤍 Pete Walsh Scott Harding Shane Patella Shannon Ryan Sherin Breuer Tayla Turner Dr. Venki Balasubramanian Appiah

When you're raising capital, investors like Rachael Neumann want to know your why. What motivates you as a founder? Why this problem? Why this market? Why are you the person to build this? Your answer helps investors to not only understand more about your business, but who you are as a founder and why this idea sets you alight. Watch the full episode to hear more: https://lnkd.in/dChRpZNW Episode 3 of BOLD proudly features: Rachael Neumann (Flying Fox Ventures), Justine Carzino, CFA (OneVentures), Timothy Hui (Mandalay Venture Partners), and Rohan W.(Skalata) Special thanks to Madeleine Hanger Grummet and Sanders Place for hosting the shoot. #BOLD #LaunchVic #RaisingCapital #VentureCapital

Meet our ACTIVATE 2026 cohort 🚀 These 15 Victorian companies are tackling some of Australia's most pressing health system challenges across aged care, cancer support, clinical trials, disability services and hospital-to-home care. The technologies include everything from AI-powered fall detection and contactless vital signs monitoring for older adults to AI-powered nanorobotics for early detection and treatment of diseases. ANDHealth CEO Bronwyn Le Grice said, “The calibre of companies successfully selected for this 2026 ACTIVATE cohort reflects the quality and ambition we're seeing across the Australian digital and connected health sector.” “These companies aren't just building new technologies – they're solving real, systemic problems in ways that can genuinely improve patient outcomes and reduce pressure on our health system.” Supported by LaunchVic and the Victorian Government, ACTIVATE is a purpose-built accelerator program designed to supercharge Victorian digital and connected health startup companies with significant growth potential. AIKangaroo Pty Ltd | BedSet | CareNeighbour | CareTrust Consent | Clinical Avatar | Coherence Health | Curae Health Group | GreenAnt Networks | MyVitalsVault | NanoCube Health | OnQ | Sports Buddy Australia | TrialEdge AI | UNPLEXi | Voral.ai