Melbourne has 863 startups in our sample database. This represents about 24% of Australia’s startups. Melbourne is the 2nd best startup ecosystem in Australia.
While Melbourne decreased by 2 spots in its global rank in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index of 2024, its ranking in Australia remained stable at 2 nationally since 2023.
Melbourne is home to world-class educational institutions that contribute to the city’s startup success. Globally renowned universities, such as the University of Melbourne and Monash University, consistently produce top-tier talent in fields like technology, engineering, and business. These institutions also actively support entrepreneurship through incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurship programs, providing young aspiring founders with valuable resources and mentorship.
The government of Victoria, where Melbourne is located, has also played a crucial role in fostering the startup ecosystem. It has implemented various initiatives, such as the LaunchVic program, which provides funding and support for startups, and the Victorian Innovation Hub, a collaborative workspace for entrepreneurs. These efforts have helped attract both local and international entrepreneurs to Melbourne, fueling the city’s startup growth.
Melbourne has a strong network of co-working spaces, incubators, and accelerators that provide startups with the necessary infrastructure and support. Prominent organizations such as The Goods Shed, The Cluster, and York Butter Factory offer collaborative workspaces, mentoring programs, and access to industry experts, facilitating collaboration and knowledge-sharing among entrepreneurs.
The city’s vibrant startup community is further strengthened by numerous industry events, conferences, and meetups that bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders. Events like Pause Fest, StartCon, and Melbourne Startup Week provide platforms for startups to showcase their products, connect with investors, and gain exposure to potential customers. These gatherings not only facilitate networking but also foster a sense of community and collaboration within the Melbourne startup ecosystem.
In recent years, Melbourne’s startup ecosystem has witnessed remarkable success stories, with several startups achieving significant funding rounds, acquisitions, and international expansions across multiple sectors. Companies like Airwallex (fintech), Culture Amp (HR tech), and Rokt (marketing technology) are motivating and encouraging the upcoming wave of entrepreneurs within the city.
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The health check tables allow you to look at the performance Melbourne has in each of the parameters that are part of StartupBlink's ranking algorithm. There are five tables, corresponding to the three subscores, the subscore analysis and industry ana...
Startup Funding in Melbourne 2017 - 2024
From 2022 to 2023, startup funding in Melbourne has decreased by 59.98%. During this period, the number of deals in Melbourne has decreased by 36.76%. Since 2017, total startup funding in Melbourne exceeded US$ $7.85B.
Average Funding in 2023
$4.39M
Funding in 2023
$513.14M
Deals in 2023
117
USD
Amount of Funding (USD)
Number of Deals
Melbourne is ranked within the top 50 startup ecosystems globally.
Melbourne’s startups excel particularly in Energy & Environment where it ranks 27 and in Ecommerce & Retail, and Fintech. Find out more
Within Melbourne there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Energy & Environment, Ecommerce & Retail, Fintech. These three industries represent about 21% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Melbourne.
Melbourne is Australia's 2nd best startup ecosystem and is ranked 2nd in Australia and Oceania. With a population of 2M - 10M people, Melbourne is ranked 44th in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories including Rio Tinto.
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A robust startup ecosystem creates a sense of community that brings entrepreneurs together and helps them feel less isolated. It gives them access to mentors, advisors, fellow entrepreneurs, and talents. The foundation of such an ecosystem largely relies on government support. Good policies create a fair and supportive environment that helps startups grow. Bad policies […]
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Startup Ecosystem of Melbourne | StartupBlink