Startup Victoria aims to support high-tech sector

A new Victorian non-profit designed to help the state’s high-technology startups meet their unique needs launched yesterday.

Startup Victoria has been established with $100,000 in seed funding from the Victorian Government.

The organisation is being staffed by over 120 volunteers and a four-member board, and has three initial investors and a member database of around 3500.

Victorian minister for technology Gordon Rich-Phillips, who launched the organisation, said technology startups have particular needs that distinguish them from most other businesses.

“New technology companies have to deal with a wide range of issues, including sourcing venture capital, managing fast growth, risk/return ratios, decision-making, corporate and industry culture, product development, distribution and marketing,” he said.

“Startup Victoria will work with startup clusters across the state to bring together the people, networks and resources needed to help technology entrepreneurs handle these issues and position their ventures for sustainable growth.”

The organisation will conduct a series of events in 2014, including conferences and workshops in areas such as fundraising, marketing and customer acquisition. As part of these plans, Startup Victoria will assume responsibility for organising the monthly Lean Startup Melbourne events.