Australia is the beating heart of APAC’s thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Early-stage funding has grown in Oceania by 80% in recent years, accompanied by 50% growth in $50 million+ exits. GEC 2023 host city Melbourne is home to more than 2,600 newly founded companies and has a startup sector that rivals its tourism sector in size.
This coastal city, capital of the state of Victoria in Australia’s south, is growing fast. Projected to become the largest city in the country by 2031, it is a hotspot for entrepreneurial talent.
Along with Australia’s most educated workforce, Melbourne is home to the University of Melbourne, ranked #37 in the world, and RMIT University, ranked #2 in the world for research. It is also home to the world’s first research centre focused on the social science of Blockchain.
Melbourne is home to more than 2,600 newly founded companies
The Victorian State Government is also sending positive signals about entrepreneurship. AU$484.5 million (US$361 million) is allocated through 2025 towards new job creation initiatives, with dedicated funds for small business services and support initiatives and funds to revitalise Melbourne’s central business district. The AU$2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund is investing in projects across Health and Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital Technologies, Agtech & New Food, and Clean Economies.
A short flight from Sydney, Melbourne is a charming, walkable city and a perfect gateway for exploring its famous surf beaches, beautiful mountain terrain and network of verdant valleys.