Funding to support Benalla’s business start-ups announced
Published on 06 July 2018
Benalla’s entrepreneurs will have a well-supported opportunity for their startup business idea over the next 12 months with access to locally run business bootcamps, mentoring, meetups and masterclasses thanks to funding from LaunchVic.
LaunchVic was established by the Victorian Government in March 2016 as an independent agency responsible for developing Victoria's startup ecosystem.
Benalla Rural City Council, which will lead a consortium of four north-east Victoria Councils including the Rural City of Wangaratta, Mansfield Shire Council and Indigo Shire Council, will share $400,000 to support business start-up and entrepreneurial activity across the region.
The project will include events including business taster seminars, hyperlocal ideas fests, founder workshops and mentoring, bootcamp / hackathons, commercialisation bootcamps, a regional entrepreneur’s leadership program, pitchfests, an innovation conference and more.
Mayor, Cr Don Firth said being able to provide support for entrepreneurs and business start-ups is very important.
“Victoria’s startup sector is booming, but currently only 3% of start-up activity in Victoria is in regional areas.
“We want to ensure Benalla people, and more broadly those across the north-east, have access to the best support possible. We absolutely want to encourage and nurture start-up activity and encourage maximum participation within the start-up sector.
Quote attributable to Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Philip Dalidakis
“Every startup has a role to play in Victoria’s future, whether they’re from Mildura or Maribyrnong, and this investment will ensure regional Victorian startups have access to the same resources as those in the city.”
Quote attributable to LaunchVic CEO Dr Kate Cornick
“LaunchVic has prioritised diversity and inclusion as part of its strategy and this funding complements previous activities by supporting entrepreneurs in outer Melbourne and our regions.”