Entrepreneurial locals will have the opportunity to participate in a program designed to foster innovative start-up ideas in the region.
It comes after the state government announced Latrobe City Council would receive funding to run the program in the Latrobe Valley.
Latrobe City, Wellington Shire, Bass Coast and Baw Baw Shire will each receive an equal share of $400,000 from the state government to facilitate the start-up program.
It comes from a $2.4 million boost to increase participation in the state’s start-up sector with a focus on regional communities.
The funding will be invested through LaunchVic and will support 15 projects across 26 local government areas in Victoria, with projects including boot camps, mentoring, meet-ups, hackathons, masterclasses and workshops.
Latrobe City Council chief executive Gary Van Driel said a tender would be released shortly calling for submissions from qualified consultants to deliver the program, however, council will manage the project and facilitate the program.
“There will be an opportunity for 10 participants in each municipality to take part in the program and a key component is to raise awareness of start-ups and the potential for an idea to take flight with the right guidance,” he said.
“We know there have been a number of examples in Latrobe City of successful start-ups, for example, Aussie Broadband, so we would encourage those out there who have the seed of an idea to enquire so that we can support them to explore the possibilities.”
