CivVic Labs – Experience Victoria Challenge (Australia)

For this challenge, the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) is seeking solutions from the Victorian startup ecosystem to transform Victoria’s tourism, hospitality and events experiences.

To establish Victoria as a leading global destination with innovative and outstanding experiences, they are calling on Victorian startups to push the boundaries and transform how people experience Victoria.

Challenge Statement

• How might technology transform Victoria’s tourism, hospitality and events experiences?
• They are seeking solutions from Victorian startups looking to transform tourism, hospitality and events experiences within Victoria, particularly focusing on regional destinations. Technology solutions may look to focus on:
  • Creating new visitor experiences or optimising the experience of existing attractions;
  • Helping operators evolve the way they manage their business and engage customers;
  • Increasing accessibility and safety of Victorian experiences for people of all identities, cultures and abilities;
  • Supporting operators to better prepare for and manage crises;
  • Capturing and using data to better understand, manage and grow visitation;
  • Making it easier for visitors to discover and travel to attractions, venues and regions; and
  • Any other technology that could transform the way people experience travel, tourism and hospitality in Victoria

What can you expect?

• LaunchVic is seeking to admit 10 startups or startup entrepreneurs to the program. Rather, participant teams will receive $12,500 equity-free funding on completion of the program.
• The program is structured to cover topics such as lean startup, co-design, and hypothesis testing, delivered by startup experts. The program is designed to assist innovators in their solution design in the following ways:
  • Access to world-class mentors and a cohort of top innovators to build a solution alongside;
  • Access to community and stakeholder experts, with specific knowledge of tourism, events and hospitality, policy, and customer base; and
  • The potential of promotional support from DJSIR and LaunchVic highlighting innovative startup solutions.
• At the conclusion of the program, a judging panel will select two startups to receive $25,000 in equityfree seed funding to further develop their solution.
• Successful applicants are expected to attend the program in person for seven days of programming over 6 weeks, the Pitch Day and Showcase Event (see Program Schedule) as well as commit to additional work outside of sessions to progress their ideas.
• CivVic Labs is the perfect sandbox for aspiring or early-stage founders to build and test new ideas. All participants will be either idea stage or early-stage (see below definition) to ensure their journey is with like-minded entrepreneurs. They’re looking for ambitious founders who recognise the value of CivVic Labs to help accelerate their startup journey.

Eligibility Criteria

• If you are eligible and have a startup idea aligned to the challenge, CivVic Labs can help you make it a reality. To be eligible to participate in CivVic Labs, a startup and/or startup entrepreneur must meet each of these criteria:
  • Victorian-based;
  • Startup (has a Startup Idea that is aligned to LaunchVic’s definition of a Startup);
  • Stage (meet LaunchVic’s definition of either an Idea or Early-Stage startup); and
  • Participation (must commit to participating in the Program, and related activities).
• The startup and/or startup entrepreneur must also Adhere to Victorian Government Policy on ESG Prohibited Activities to be eligible. This means that the business must not be involved with:
  • Tobacco or tobacco-related products;
  • Cluster munitions and other controversial weapons;
  • Thermal coal;
  • Gambling;
  • Logging of old growth forests;
  • Uranium;
  • Unregulated animal testing; or
  • Fracking.

For more information, visit LaunchVic.