Build in Melbourne.

Placeholder — fill in why someone should build a company in Melbourne. Talent depth, lifestyle, ecosystem maturity, what makes it different from Sydney/SF/etc.

Melbourne has a distinct startup culture: deeper enterprise sales gravity than Sydney, more design and creative crossover, and a research base anchored by the University of Melbourne, Monash, and RMIT.

The data proves it

• Add ecosystem valuation
• Add startup count
• Add VC funding share
• Add notable outcomes / unicorns from Melbourne

Add a closing paragraph on the Melbourne pitch — coffee, livability, universities, biotech corridor, sports culture, whatever rings true for you.

Placeholder — list the regular meetups, founder communities, and Luma calendars worth following in Melbourne.

• Community 1
• Community 2
• Community 3

Key conferences, summits, and hackathons

• Conference 1
• Conference 2

People to follow to stay connected with the Melbourne ecosystem — community builders, investors, thought leaders. Let them be helpful and bring general joy to your timeline.

• Person 1
• Person 2

Placeholder — accelerators, incubators, pre-accelerators, residency programs based in or running cohorts out of Melbourne.

• Program 1
• Program 2

Grant programs

• Federal grant 1 (R&D Tax Incentive, EMDG, Industry Growth, etc.)
• State grant — Victorian programs (LaunchVic, Breakthrough Victoria, etc.)

Debt financing

• Lender / RBF provider

Curated list of VCs based in Melbourne and recommended by founders, investors, and operators.

• Square Peg (HQ Melbourne)
• Add others — AirTree has Melbourne presence, Tidal, Investible, etc.

Angels & Solo GPs

• Add Melbourne angel groups / syndicates

Further reading

• Airtree Open Source VC — Australian investor list

Co-working spaces — CBD

• Stone & Chalk Melbourne
• WeWork Melbourne
• Add others

Co-working spaces — Inner suburbs

• Cremorne / Richmond / Collingwood spaces
• Add others

Maker spaces

• Hardware / fabrication spaces

Setting up your own office

These are the main commercial leasing firms startups actually use when moving beyond coworking and into a first or second office.

• Add Melbourne-specific commercial agents and notes

Our faves

• Laneway favourite 1
• Laneway favourite 2

Working

• State Library Victoria
• Other quiet spots with wifi

Other good cafes

• Carlton / Fitzroy / Collingwood / Richmond / Cremorne picks

Hidden gem spots for serenity

• Royal Botanic Gardens
• Yarra Bend Park
• Add more

Where to walk for walking meetings

• Tan Track
• Yarra River trail
• Add more

Cracker spots for a beer

• Pub 1
• Pub 2

Work in progress — submit edits.

Co-living houses

• Add Melbourne co-living options

Work in progress — submit edits. A short take on Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Richmond, Cremorne, South Yarra, St Kilda, Brunswick, etc. — what each is good for and what kind of founder gravitates there.

If you're visiting Melbourne from out of town, prioritise meeting as many founders, operators, and investors as possible. Add Melbourne-specific networking advice — the ecosystem's tight, who to DM, how events work here.

Networking tips

• Tip 1
• Tip 2

Tactical tips

• Trams are free in the CBD Free Tram Zone
• Add more — getting around, where to stay, etc.

Australia has one of the most immigrant-driven startup ecosystems in the world. If you're looking to build a company in Australia or relocate to Melbourne as a founder, here are trusted resources to help navigate visas, sponsorship, and long-term residency.

Key visa pathways for founders

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS 482) — employer-sponsored option for early hires and operators
• Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) — for highly skilled founders, engineers, and researchers
• Skilled Independent / State-Nominated Visas (189 / 190)
• Business Innovation & Investment Visas — legacy pathways still relevant for some founders

Recommended resources

• Department of Home Affairs — official Australian Government immigration portal and visa requirements
• Add Melbourne-based migration agents / lawyers founders rate

Placeholder — write the origin story for the Melbourne edition. Who started it, why, how to get involved.

This guide will always be free and evolving. If you're interested in sponsoring or helping maintain it, email me@lukehoward.com.au.

Hit Edit on any section above to contribute. Edits open a pull request on GitHub — sign with your name or stay anonymous, your call.