/Investor DB

Venture Cup

Accelerator

Melbourne · Pre-Seed–Seed

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Investment thesis

Venture Cup is a program of Swinburne University's Innovation Studio aimed at early-stage, pre-investor founders who are Swinburne students, staff, or alumni. Participants join a week-long Venture Week bootcamp with daily seminars, followed by coaching to refine ideas and pitches. Up to 30 startups enter, with 10 finalists (five students, five alumni/staff) invited to pitch for $5,000 cash prizes per category, plus access to mentors, potential customers, and the startup ecosystem. Eligible ventures must not have raised more than $500,000, show scalability and an element of innovation or disruption, and include social enterprises and not-for-profits. The program takes no equity.

Invests inSector AgnosticAustraliaMelbourne

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Seed
HQ
Melbourne, VIC, AU
Instruments
Grants
Portfolio companies
1

7 people who came through Venture Cup went on to found or lead other companies.

What they invest in

from 1 of 1 portfolio companies

AI & Machine Learning ×1EdTech ×1

HQs:Australia×1

Portfolio companies · 1 tracked

alumni founders can tell you what the program is really like
Swinburne University of Technologyswinburne.edu.auin

Swinburne University of Technology is a research and teaching institution offering higher education, vocational training, and online qualifications across multiple campuses in Australia and international locations.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechMelbourne, AU

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

What stage does Venture Cup invest at?
Venture Cup invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
What sectors does Venture Cup focus on?
Venture Cup focuses on Sector Agnostic.
Where is Venture Cup located?
Venture Cup is headquartered in Melbourne, AU.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

from their channel

How Gabriel found his passion in business

Swinburne University of Technology

Why Skills Matter More Than Ever | Building Australia’s Future Workforce

Swinburne University of Technology

Bringing Space to Every Australian Classroom | LaunchLabz at Swinburne

Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne University of Technology Graduation 13 August 2026, 10am

Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne University of Technology Graduation 13 August 2026, 6pm

Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne University of Technology Graduation 13 August 2026, 2pm

Swinburne University of Technology

Images

Venture Cup photoVenture Cup photoVenture Cup photoVenture Cup photoVenture Cup photoVenture Cup photo

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