Despite 25 per cent of Victoria’s population living in the regions, just three per cent of business startups are based in regional Victoria.
Now, a $260,000 grant from Victorian Government startup agency, LaunchVic, will allow a local consortium led by Bendigo-based tech company Clear Dynamics to build on a regional startup support program being offered by Startup Central Victoria.
LaunchVic CEO Dr Kate Cornick said the funding would give people the support to grow tech startups – no matter where they lived in the state.
“Connecting entrepreneurs in Victoria’s regions with innovators and other like-minded people is vitally important to build a strong culture of startup creation,” she said.
Clear Dynamics’ director of government relations and delivery, Craig Hunter, said the company was excited to grow this initiative with the support of consortium members Be Bendigo, Bendigo Telco, City of Greater Bendigo, Committee for Echuca Moama, Emporium Creative Hub, and Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
Clear Dynamics is the perfect example of a tech startup in central Victoria.
The company formed its first team in 2015 – three men and one woman – united by a clearly different view of the way technology should be developed and experienced.
“Today, we’ve got team members all around Australia, but we remain proudly Bendigo headquartered,” Mr Hunter said.
“Innovation is in our DNA and if we can share some of that back to startups in the region, then we’re helping build the ecosystem that has helped make us a recognised great place to work.”
Over the next two years, Startup Central Victoria will be focused on building a stronger network that showcases entrepreneurs and supports startups.
In addition to monthly meetups sharing the knowledge and experiences of business owners, a series of startup events and two pre-accelerator programs will be offered at no charge to residents of the region aged 18 years and over.
For more information, go to startupcv.com.au
