![Connecting Victoria’s Startup Ecosystem: Reflections from [NEXT]Founder Community Day](/content/images/size/w30/format/avif/2025/10/Cremorne-Digital-Hub-27.jpg)
Victoria’s startup ecosystem is thriving, but for founders, knowing where to start can be the hardest part.
It’s something I hear time and time again: “There’s so much out there – accelerators, investors, programs, networks – but which one’s right for me?”
It’s a good challenge to have. Victoria is home to one of the most vibrant and well-supported startup ecosystems in Australia, with an incredible mix of government programs, venture funds, accelerators, and founder communities. But the sheer range of options can make it difficult for founders to find the right path for their stage of growth.
That’s exactly why we hosted the [NEXT]Founder Community Day at Cremorne Digital Hub — to help founders cut through the noise, connect directly with the people behind the programs, and walk away with practical insight into how to access the right support at the right time.
A Day of Connection and Clarity
We kicked off the day with an energising Founder Circle led by Desmond John, where founders spoke openly about the realities of scaling a startup while staying true to their values. It set the tone for the day — honest, thoughtful, and focused on community as much as capital.
From there, we heard from some of Victoria’s leading ecosystem partners, including LaunchVic, Breakthrough Victoria, Euphemia, Antler, and Aussie Founders Club.
Each shared invaluable advice – from choosing the right accelerator to understanding investor expectations, refining storytelling, and navigating early-stage fundraising. The sessions were practical, interactive, and full of the kind of insights that come from real experience.
The Startup Network Pitch Night: Energy, Insight, and Big Ideas
To wrap up the day, we hosted in collaboration with The Startup Network their final Pitch Night of 2025 — and it did not disappoint.
The room was packed with founders, investors, and supporters, all there to celebrate the ideas shaping the next wave of innovation in Victoria. The atmosphere captured what our ecosystem does best: founders showing up with bold ideas, investors leaning in, and a community cheering on their progress.
The founders delivered high-quality pitches from right across the fintech spectrum:
- Nichola Patterson – Billie Loans
- Kian Jackson – Frontcover
- Ishan Dan – RegenX
Kian Jackson from Frontcover, Ishan Dan of RegenX and Nichola Patterson of Billie Loans presenting their pitches.
Congratulations to RegenX, winner of People’s Choice, and Frontcover, winner of Judges’ Choice.
A huge thank you to our judging panel — Leila Oliveira (Antler), Kyle Austin (Triple Bubble), and Tony Hood (William Buck) — and to our surprise guest, Dom Pym, co-founder of Up Bank, who joined us for an impromptu fireside chat. Dom shared candid lessons from his journey building and backing some of Australia’s most successful startups, offering founders honest reflections on what it takes to build something enduring.
As I said on the night, it takes real courage to pitch to a packed room. Every founder who stepped up contributed to the energy that makes this community special.
Why Events Like This Matter
Days like these remind me why Victoria’s ecosystem is so unique. It’s not just the depth of programs and funding available, but the openness and generosity of the people who make it all work.
When we bring founders, investors, and partners together in the same room – to share, collaborate, and support one another – that’s when real momentum builds.
At Cremorne Digital Hub, we’re proud to help make those connections happen and to keep growing the networks that power Victoria’s innovation economy.
If you’re a founder building something new and want to connect with other innovators, investors, and partners across Victoria’s ecosystem, the CDH Clubhouse is where those conversations start.
Join the CDH Clubhouse →
