Melbourne Market Entry
Thriving startup ecosystem, strong manufacturing base, and world-class education institutions.
Location Overview
Business Environment
Overall score
Startup Ecosystem
Growth potential
Key Industries
Major sectors
Market Focus
Market type
Key Industries
Government Support
Invest Victoria
Official trade and investment agency for Melbourne
The Invest Victoria provides comprehensive support for businesses looking to establish or expand their operations in Melbourne. They offer guidance on regulations, incentives, and can connect you with local partners and resources.
Services Available:
- • Market entry guidance and strategy
- • Regulatory compliance assistance
- • Local partner introductions
- • Investment incentives information
- • Site selection support
Absolute Immigration
Absolute Immigration provides expert Australian and New Zealand visa and migration services, helping businesses navigate complex immigration regulations to recruit and retain global talent. They specialize in crafting custom immigration strategies for startups and established companies to fill labor gaps and foster business growth through people-focused solutions (Absolute Immigration Home).
Working with:
Contact person(s):
Airwallex
Airwallex is a global payments and financial platform that helps businesses enter and scale in the Australian market by providing unified solutions for business accounts, high-speed transfers, and local payment acceptance (Airwallex AU).
Working with:
Contact person(s):
Allied Legal
Startup-focused law firm specialising in IP, employment, and capital raising for founders and scaleups.
Appomate
App development agency specialising in mobile apps, UI/UX design, and MVP builds for startups and enterprises. Offices in Melbourne and Sydney.
BENCH PR
BENCH PR is a full-service PR consultancy specializing in the business-to-business and technology markets. They help global brands and fast-growing companies launch and grow their presence in Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia Pacific region by providing senior-level strategic counsel and results-driven media relations (Bench PR Homepage).
Working with:
Contact person(s):
Biztech Lawyers
Melbourne-based technology law firm serving the startup community with commercial, IP, and corporate advice.
Activator LaunchHUB
LaunchHUB is a unique accelerator 12-week program designed to support the launch of new enterprises through dedicated business coaches, resilience programs, mentors, industry experts and masterclasses. It also offers co-working space in the CBD and selective access to up to $25,000 pre-seed funding. At least one Founder has to be an RMIT student/alumni/staff.
Working with:
Contact person(s):
ALTA - Australasian Legal Technology Alliance
ALTA is the peak national association for legal technology companies in Australia and Australasia. It provides a community for Australasian legal technology companies focused on information sharing, collaboration, and elevating the presence of Australasian legal technology on the global stage. The board, comprised of elected member representatives, sets strategic direction and delivers learning and development programs benefiting members, advocates, and the broader legal community. ALTA About, ALTA Board, LinkedIn
Working with:
Contact person(s):
ANDHealth+
ANDHealth+ is a 6-9 month program that assists digital health companies to navigate the commercialisation pathway to institutional investment and international market entry.
Contact person(s):
Anyone Can
A startup program for Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander, Black, and Women of Colour founders, run by The Creative Co-Operative in Melbourne.
Association for Data-Driven Marketing and Advertising (ADMA)
ADMA is Australia's leading industry body for data-driven marketing and advertising, representing over 600 member organisations ranging from media companies, banks, telcos, creative agencies, universities, and airlines.ADMA About Us They empower marketers to think boldly, adapt quickly, and use data to drive results by sharing insights, building capability, and providing trusted support to the marketing community.ADMA About Us This includes delivering practical training programs and certificates, hosting events for ideas and connections, advocating with government and regulators, and leading on innovation, compliance, privacy, and ethical data use.ADMA About Us ADMA plays a unique leadership role by lifting industry capability, setting responsible data and privacy standards, supporting future-ready teams, and connecting leaders through community.ADMA Homepage They administer services like the Do Not Mail Register to foster trust between consumers and businesses.ADMA Do Not Mail
Working with:
Contact person(s):
AusBiotech
AusBiotech is Australia's peak life sciences industry body, representing over 3,000 members across biotechnology, medical technology, digital health, food technology, and agriculture for nearly 40 years. It supports member growth by advancing medical breakthroughs, fostering innovation to address complex health challenges, and uniting the sector through connections between industry, investors, researchers, government, and academia. As a not-for-profit limited by guarantee, AusBiotech drives policy development, hosts 65+ annual events including the flagship AusBiotech International Conference, provides business matching via AusPartnering, maintains the Australian Life Science Innovation Directory, and promotes global commercialization of Australian bioscience.AusBiotech.org, LinkedIn, ausbiotechic.com/about
Working with:
Contact person(s):
Agriculture Victoria
Supports innovation in food and fibre industries including agtech startups. Operates research facilities like AgriBio and SmartFarms. Partners on the Hugh Victor McKay Fund and Farmers2Founders.
AiGroup - Australian Industry Group
Ai Group represents businesses across the manufacturing, construction, ICT, transport, defence, and labour hire industries, advocating on policy and providing member services.
Contact person(s):
ALTIOS International
ALTIOS is a global international expansion consultancy helping SMEs and mid-caps enter, scale and acquire in foreign markets through 40+ offices worldwide, including Sydney and Melbourne.
Contact person(s):
AmCham New Zealand
AmCham New Zealand is a bilateral chamber promoting two-way trade, investment, tourism and education between the United States and New Zealand, with access to the global AmCham network.
Contact person(s):
American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand Inc
Bilateral chamber promoting two-way trade, investment, tourism and education links between the United States and New Zealand, with member networking across the Asia-Pacific region.
Contact person(s):
AMES Australia Settlement Services
Settlement services for migrants and refugees including employment support and business start-up guidance.
APAM (Australian Performing Arts Market)
Australia's leading internationally focused performing arts industry event - pitches, showcases and brokering connecting Australian & NZ contemporary work with global touring opportunities.
AFA Grow. Promote. Protect. Forum
The Australian Furniture Association's industry forum on the future of the Australian furniture industry, including a Circular Economy Activator session, VIP dinner and networking events, focused on moving the sector from interest in circularity to informed action.
Police Technology Forum
13th annual forum - Australia's premier event showcasing technologies and innovations driving the future of policing and public safety, from AI and data analytics to crime prevention tools.
Screen Forever
Australia's premier screen industry event, run by Screen Producers Australia, bringing together producers, financiers and buyers for conference sessions and the SPA Connect deal-making market.
Technology for Social Justice Conference (Infoxchange)
Australia's premier not-for-profit technology capability-building, upskilling, networking and awards event, covering AI for good, cyber security, digital inclusion, data and ethical technology. Includes the Australian Not-For-Profit Technology Awards.
ITAC Conference (Innovation Transforming Aged Care)
Australia's leading aged care innovation and technology conference, hosted by Ageing Australia, featuring keynotes, panels and a trade exhibition focused on digital transformation in aged and community care.
How Zendesk Made Melbourne Its Asia-Pacific Launchpad
The customer-service software firm that made Melbourne its Asia-Pacific launchpad.
Startup Grants & Government Support Map for Australian Founders
A practical guide to non-dilutive funding: Industry Growth Program, EMDG, LaunchVic, Advance QLD, NSW MVP Ventures, and R&D Tax Incentive for Australian founders
GST, BAS & Bookkeeping: Financial Compliance for Early-Stage Australian Startups
Master GST registration, BAS lodgement, payroll reporting, and record-keeping so tax compliance never derails your startup's momentum.
Hiring Your First Employees: PAYG, Super & Fair Work Essentials for Australian Startups
A practical guide to employee classification, superannuation, PAYG withholding, the National Employment Standards, modern awards, and workers compensation for Australian founders hiring their first team.
Go-to-Market for Australian Startups: Finding Your First 100 Customers
How to validate product-market fit, land early traction, and build a GTM engine in the Australian market
Setting Up an Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP) the Right Way in Australia
A practical guide to the 2022 ESS reforms, startup tax concession, vesting schedules, option pool sizing, and ASIC/ATO reporting for Australian founders
ANZ Heads of Data & Analytics
Data and analytics leaders who buy BI and data-platform tools.
Australian Family Offices & HNW Investors
Single and multi-family offices plus high-net-worth investor contacts.
ANZ SaaS Founders & CEOs
Founder and CEO contacts at Australian and New Zealand SaaS companies.
Recently Funded Australian Startups
Startups that closed funding rounds in the last 12 months, with founder contacts.
ANZ Trade & Investment Agency Contacts
Austrade, NZTE, and state trade body contacts for market-entry support.
ANZ Accelerators & Incubators
Program directors and partner contacts at ANZ startup accelerators and incubators.
Kate Whitehead
Managing Director
Managing Director @ Avant Group Pty Ltd | Business Advisory, Marketing Strategy, Government Grant and Incentives Professional Services · Kate is the founder and Managing Director of Avant Group, a leading business strategy and government grant consulting firm. The business provides services including project management, grant identification and application management and reporting, business restructuring and advice, finance equity sourcing, contract negotiation and business marketing strategy planning.
Experience with:
Nagender Chetti
Founder
Fractional Executive | Founder @ Neura Vision | Data, Analytics & AI Strategy | Generative AI & Digital Transformation Leader | Driving Business Growth & Innovation | Top 25 Analytics Leader (IAPA 2023) · Recognised as one of Australia's Top 25 Analytics Leaders (IAPA 2023), I am a strategic and impact-focused executive with over 20 years experience at the intersection of data, analytics, AI, digital transformation, and business strategy.
Experience with:
Tony Chan
Founder & CEO
Founder & CEO at Wagepay · I am the Founder and CEO of Wagepay, a fintech company revolutionising the pay cycle and wage payment process. We harness technology to transform how people access and manage their income, bringing financial empowerment to all. With a passion for financial inclusion, an MBA from Melbourne Business School, and membership in the AICD, I am dedicated to driving positive change in the industry.
Experience with:
Nick Jenkin
Director / Founder
Director at Jenkin Beattie - helping tech vendors & consultancies secure the best GTM talent in ANZ | Executive Recruitment, IT Sales, Presales, Marketing, CS & PS | 25 years experience & going strong | 800+ placements · With more than 23 years IT recruitment experience, my primary area of expertise is in placing executive sales, marketing and senior leadership professionals with technology vendors, service providers, systems integrators, professional services firms and digital consultancies.
Experience with:
Charlie Crozier
Director
Founder & CEO | Web3 Evangelist · Charlie holds extensive experience across the impact, blockchain technology, and finance industries. He has a depth of startup experience that adds a pedigree of understanding that cannot be taught but must be experienced firsthand. Having led teams throughout his entire career, he has developed a vast array of skills in business development, marketing, sales, capital raising, and technology.
Experience with:
Eoin Hughes
Market Advisor - Agribusiness & Waste Sustainability
Market Advisor for Agribusiness and Waste Sustainability at Enterprise Ireland's Melbourne office, supporting Irish companies entering ANZ across agricultural machinery, agritech software and devices, animal health, veterinary pharmaceuticals, and waste-sector equipment and technology. Connects Irish exporters with ANZ farmers, processors, distributors and waste operators. · Highlights: Market Advisor, Agribusiness & Waste Sustainability, Enterprise Ireland A/NZ · Based in Melbourne covering Australia and New Zealand
Experience with:
