LaunchVic News

LaunchVic News is the communication channel for LaunchVic, Victoria's dedicated startup agency, established by the Victorian Government in March 2016 to fuel the growth of the state’s startup ecosystem. Its core purpose is to build the confidence and capability of Victorians, enabling them to create, scale, and invest in globally impactful tech startups. LaunchVic achieves this by funding targeted programs, supporting investment, and creating numerous opportunities for founders, investors, and the broader startup community.

Unlike traditional grant programs, LaunchVic pioneered a co-investment model where government funding attracted and matched private capital, demonstrating a strategic approach to catalysing investment rather than simply distributing public money. This model has been instrumental in unlocking over $1.5 billion in private sector capital and facilitating significant growth within the Victorian startup landscape. Operating as a standalone entity, LaunchVic has maintained the flexibility to respond swiftly to the evolving needs of the ecosystem, fostering deep relationships with founders, investors, and support organisations.

Over its operational period, LaunchVic has made a substantial impact, helping the Victorian startup ecosystem grow from approximately 1,000 startups to over 4,400 by February 2026, with more than 40 percent of these receiving direct support from the agency. The sector's enterprise value has soared to an impressive $139 billion, signifying almost 28 times growth over the past decade. Key achievements include Melbourne rising seven ranks to 16th globally in startup ecosystem rankings since 2022 and the creation of over 66,900 jobs. LaunchVic's strategic programs, such as 30X30 for scaleups, Basecamp for executive hiring, CivVic Labs for government challenges, NOVA for innovation program managers, the Alice Anderson Fund for women-led startups, and the Hugh Victor McKay Fund for AgTech, have all contributed to building a robust and diverse ecosystem.

The leadership team has included Dr. Kate Cornick as CEO, who resigned effective May 5, 2026, to lead the Tech Council of Australia, and Leigh Jasper as Chair. Other key members include Amanda Collins (CFO) and Kate Gittings (Chief of Staff). LaunchVic's unwavering focus has been on increasing startup creation, growing startups into scaleups, building a robust investor community, and advocating for Victorian startups, ensuring the state remains a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.