LaunchVic is getting into the VC business through venture debt

The Victorian government’s startup support arm, LaunchVic, has invested $300,000 new venture debt fund targeting bootstrapped revenue-positive startups.

The LaunchVic agreement with Tractor Ventures is a new way of working for LaunchVic with the funds being provided as a loan rather than a grant.

LaunchVic CEO, Dr Kate Cornick said the launch of the new fund was another positive step towards.

“We are thrilled to be supporting Tractor Ventures to establish in Victoria to further strengthen the investor landscape and give self-funded startups another avenue to access capital,” she said

The new fund is a revenue-based alternative to traditional venture capital for startups that either do not want to, or are not able to attract VC funding, targeting the circa 12% Victorian startups that are currently self-funded.

LaunchVic’s investment is matched by $4 million secured by the venture debt fund, which is expected to invest at least $1 million in Victorian-based startups, with at least 50% of those startups will be led by female founders.