Deadline: 21-Aug-2025
Run by LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup agency, CivVic Labs invites aspiring and early-stage founders to work on innovation challenges identified by the government. In this round, the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) is seeking solutions from the Victorian startup ecosystem to transform tourism, hospitality, and events experiences across the state.
The aim is to establish Victoria as a leading global destination with innovative and outstanding experiences. Victorian startups are encouraged to push the boundaries and reimagine how people experience the state, especially focusing on regional destinations. Potential technology solutions could create new visitor experiences, improve existing attractions, help operators manage businesses more effectively, enhance accessibility and safety, support crisis preparedness, leverage data to understand and grow visitation, improve discovery and travel to attractions, or introduce other innovations that transform tourism and hospitality.
LaunchVic will admit 10 startups or entrepreneurs into the program, with each participant team receiving $12,500 in equity-free funding upon completion. The program covers topics such as lean startup methods, co-design, and hypothesis testing, delivered by experienced startup experts. Participants will also gain access to world-class mentors, community and industry experts in tourism and hospitality, and potential promotional support from DJSIR and LaunchVic.
At the program’s conclusion, two startups will be awarded an additional $25,000 in equity-free seed funding to further develop their solutions. Selected participants are expected to attend seven in-person programming days over six weeks, participate in Pitch Day and the Showcase Event, and commit to additional work outside the sessions.
CivVic Labs targets ambitious founders at the idea or early stage, providing a collaborative space to develop and test new concepts alongside like-minded entrepreneurs. To be eligible, applicants must be Victorian-based, meet LaunchVic’s definition of a startup at the idea or early stage, commit to full program participation, and comply with the Victorian Government Policy on ESG Prohibited Activities. This means they cannot engage in industries such as tobacco, controversial weapons, thermal coal, gambling, old-growth forest logging, uranium, unregulated animal testing, or fracking.
For more information, visit LaunchVic.
