Unveiling the 2025 LaunchVic Gala and the ventures it's backing
Thriving Frontier Technology Scene in Victoria, Australia
Victoria, Australia, is home to a vibrant and rapidly growing frontier technology startup ecosystem. With over 400 frontier tech startups operating in the state, the region has become a hub for deep tech companies specializing in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, cleantech, agtech, and AI-native technologies.
The growth of this sector is supported by significant government funding, an active startup agency, university programs, and specialized venture capital investors. LaunchVic, Victoria's startup agency, has committed an additional $3.75 million to strengthen the startup ecosystem, funding university entrepreneurship programs, the Aussie Founders Club, and several VC funds.
Key government support underpins this growth. The Victorian Government has launched substantial funding programs targeting clean energy and advanced technologies, such as a $1.6 billion energy package focused on renewable energy hubs and grid improvements, and a Venture Growth Fund that co-invests with institutional investors to provide capital to high-growth startups. Additionally, initiatives like low-interest loans and grants for new energy technology firms bolster innovation and commercial scale-up opportunities.
Notable startups exemplifying frontier tech innovation include Cellulotech, a local company advancing patented solvent-free cellulose functionalization technology to reduce plastics and harmful chemicals across industries. Another innovative startup is NanoCube, a nanorobotics firm founded by Lisa Milani and Shawn Goussous. NanoCube is developing a device that uses AI to diagnose disease and structures faster, with an initial focus on pancreatic cancer. The startup won the SXSW Sydney startup pitch challenge in 2023 and received a $3 million federal grant late last year to accelerate its work on diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer.
Another promising startup is Nomad Atomics, which spun-out of ANU in 2020 and raised a $2 million pre-seed round from Blackbird Ventures in 2023. Nomad Atomics is developing quantum accelerometers to reduce reliance on GPS systems and help map critical minerals necessary for the green transition. The technology will also be used in Germany to map and monitor underground aquifer systems and in carbon sequestration efforts.
The value of frontier tech firms in Victoria has grown 33-fold over the last decade, with frontier tech now accounting for 19% of the startup value in the state. Four of these startups were showcased at LaunchVic's 2025 Gala, including YieldX (formerly known as Gaia Project), an agtech startup led by Nadun Hennayaka, and GonGlobal, a fertility startup led by Ellen Gonda.
In summary, Victoria's frontier technology startup scene is thriving, supported by strong government funding, an active startup agency, university programs, and specialized venture capital investors focused on deep and frontier technologies. The region is home to bold, ambitious risk-takers who tackle hard problems in science and engineering, resulting in innovative solutions that have the potential to revolutionize various industries.
- The region of Victoria, Australia, is recognized for its thriving frontier technology sector, hosting over 400 startups specializing in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, cleantech, agtech, and AI-native technologies.
- With the growth of frontier tech companies like Nomad Atomics, which raised a $2 million pre-seed round, and NanoCube, which won a $3 million federal grant, Victoria underscores its commitment to investing in and nurturing groundbreaking technologies.
