STARTUP Central Victoria is looking for Loddon residents with new business ideas to be part of its pre-accelerator program starting this month.
The 12-week program offers an opportunity for participants to focus on testing their startup idea in a safe and supportive environment. 
“For every startup it is a very different pathway, starting at different points,” says Kerry Anderson who manages the program.
“Some already have business experience but have a new idea that they want to focus on. Others have no prior business knowledge or network to lean on but want to have a go. 
“This is what Startup Central Victoria offers. Over 12 weeks participants focus on their startup idea through a series of masterclasses delivered by business professionals within the region and supported by experienced business mentors.”
“Until I did the pre-accelerator program, I didn’t realise how little I knew about running a business,” said Simon Taylor from Kurting who participated in 2023. “There are so many facets that need to be considered, and Startup Central Victoria can get you help on all of them.”
Startup Central Victoria has supported 83 startup teams in five years. “Over 70 per cent of the startups have either been launched or are still progressing,” says Kerry.