General News
1 May, 2026
Backing startup business
Aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs across Central Victoria are encouraged to take their next step with a free pre-accelerator program designed to turn their ideas into viable ventures.
Run by Startup Central Victoria, the 10-week program is set to begin in May, aiming to support participants at all stages of having a business, from those with a concept still taking shape to those already operating and looking to expand.
Before the program commences, Startup Central Victoria will be hosting two “informal chat sessions” in Maryborough for locals to test their ideas and find out if the program will benefit them.
Expressions of interest are now open, with program manager Kerry Anderson urging there is no criteria for ideas submitted by attendees, instead the program is a space to get support.
“Every journey is different, we are not making judgement on what their idea is or how successful it is, that is for them to decide,” she said.
“The region wide program is in its sixth year, so we have had past participants in Maryborough, but we just want to spread the word a bit more.”
Ms Anderson said the program provides tailored support for those who are new to their industries as well as anyone with vast experience.
“Some people might be really advanced in their skills and planning, but they might need a network, or they might need some one to open doors for them. They might even want someone to give them a final check to make sure they have considered everything they should,” she said.
“Others may have no idea about business, but they have this great idea bubbling away.
“The Startup program is very much to test and develop an idea, it’s not going to tell you how to run your business, this is to really test an idea and to see if it has merit.”
Once particpants have joined the program, the organisation will provide one on one mentoring.
“We have up to 30 teams … it is very highly regarded, we have people who have skin in the game,” Ms Anderson said.
She said there are several success stories from previous participants in the Central Victorian program.
“We had Rampey, a robotics company just win a national award, they are still in start up phase, it’s lovely to think we have helped them on their journey,” Ms Anderson said.
“We also had someone in Echuca who created a coffee cart. He found success out of the program, he’s won an award, and he has got a franchise now rolled out across regional Victoria.”
Running over 10 weeks, the free program will help locals develop their ideas, regardless of how far they have progressed.
“Be curious, be brave. Each year I have people who ring up and say ‘I’m not sure this is for me’ well, how do you know until you try? It’s for everybody. We have had 80 year olds down to 18 year olds,” Ms Anderson said.
“We aren’t here to judge, we are hear to enable. We are here to give you a pathway to test you idea out and hopefully make it a success.”
The Startup Central Victoria sessions will take place on Friday, May 8 at 12 pm at the Mill House, and again at the Bull and Mouth from 4.30 to 6 pm.
More information can be found at https://startupcv.com.au/events/
Expressions of interest close May 17.