Grants for Pre-Accelerator Programs

The below definitions apply to this Grant Round:

Deep Tech is a term used to describe highly sophisticated technology rooted in advanced scientific principles or discoveries and engineering breakthroughs. It requires significant technical expertise, and development of intellectual property that is hard to reproduce.
While DeepTech is often found in places such as medicine, energy, manufacturing and agriculture, DeepTech itself refers to the technologies used rather than the industry it is used in. DeepTech often focuses on solving some of society’s toughest challenges and includes (but is not limited to): big data, robotics, biotechnology, green energy, nano technology and materials etc.

Pre-Accelerator is a program targeted at Startup Entrepreneurs who have a technology-based idea for a startup and want to establish a business and develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). The program runs for a designated period (a minimum of 6-weeks), and participants ‘graduate’ from the program having followed a set methodology to establish a startup. A Pre-Accelerator program can provide a pathway to an Accelerator program.

Startups are defined by LaunchVic as an innovative, technology-based business that can scale rapidly and capture mass markets. Examples of technology-based businesses include: software and application development (Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, big data analytics, e-commerce or marketplaces, augmented or virtual reality, Software as a Service (SaaS)), hardware, advanced manufacturing, sensor technology, robotics, autonomous vehicles, quantum technology, DeepTech, and genomics and life sciences (including BioTech & MedTech). Once a startup has demonstrated accelerated growth sufficiently it becomes a scaleup.

Startup Entrepreneurs are individuals who have an idea for a technology-based Startup and are seeking to launch a Startup and register their new Company via ASIC in the State of Victoria.

Operating Costs include staff salaries, rent, event costs, insurance, accounting and legal costs, marketing and promotion costs, reasonable domestic travel costs, grants to startups and other reasonable operating costs.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the simulation of intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning (the acquisition of information and rules for using the information), reasoning (using the rules to reach approximate or definite conclusions), and self-correction.

AI-native is a company where Artificial Intelligence is central to its product, service, or operations, driving the core value, functionality, and scalability of the business. Importantly, AI is not an add-on feature to an existing offering—it is fundamental to how the startup creates impact and delivers its offerings.

To apply, applicants must satisfy the following eligibility criteria: 

Program Focus The proposed program can be a new or existing Pre-Accelerator program. The program must primarily support Victorian Startup Entrepreneurs (over the age of 18). We are not providing funds directly to Startups or Startup Entrepreneurs through this Grant Round.

Applicant Experience Applicants that are eligible include a delivery team that has proven expertise in supporting early-stage technology startups to launch and grow, exemplified by experience in delivering pre-accelerator or other startup programs. Applicant must demonstrate strong startup experience.

Type of Organisation The types of organisations that are eligible to apply include a:

• Registered company/organisation headquartered in the State of Victoria; or

• Registered company/organisation with an office in the State of Victoria; or
• Registered company/organisation located outside the State of Victoria (in Australia) proposing a program to be delivered in the State of Victoria; or
• An experienced delivery team (as per Criteria 2 above) who agrees to setup a new company to primarily run the Pre-Accelerator Program and register the new entity in Victoria before contract execution.

 Please note a company/organisation with an Australian Business Number (ABN) is defined as ‘registered’. Not-for-profit organisations can apply. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact the LaunchVic Grants Team. Preference may be given to applications made by companies headquartered in Victoria or companies with an established office or actively working in Victoria.

Grant Amount Applications up to $400,000 (plus GST) over maximum of two years are eligible. The grant’s timeline will conclude in April 2028.

Existing Grant Recipients Applications from existing Pre-Accelerators with whom LaunchVic already has a grant agreement in place may apply for funding, however any new funding awarded through this grant round will be contracted via milestone payments dated after the end date of the existing grant and be conditional on the successful achievement of KPIs under the current grant agreement.