New Venture Scholarships for international student startups

State Library Victoria’s startup support service StartSpace, in partnership with Study Melbourne, has today launched Future Founders Venture Scholarships – a new scholarship program for international student startups.

Part of the year-long Future Founders Program, the new funding and mentorship opportunity is designed to help international student founders get the most out of their study experience in Melbourne while building their businesses.

Up to eight successful ventures will be provided with $10,000 equity-free cash funding, tailored weekly one-on-one coaching and mentoring guidance and a six-week Loft Membership at StartSpace. 

Throughout the six weeks, recipients will be guided through an intensive coaching and goal-setting program to propel the growth and development of their businesses.

President of the Library Board of Victoria Christine Christian AO said the scholarships will be a catalyst for new small businesses to enter Victoria’s startup-sphere.

“This is a really exciting opportunity to support early-stage ventures founded by current and recently graduated international students. We are so thrilled to be able to offer it through StartSpace,” Ms Christian said.

“Small businesses are at the heart of Victoria’s economy and many of them are run by migrant founders. I can’t wait to see what talent this scholarship program unearths.”

Global Victoria CEO Gönül Serbest said they are delighted to partner with State Library Victoria on such an important program.

“Supporting international student entrepreneurs is an essential part of growing the Victorian economy. There is so much talent among our international students, yet they face many barriers to starting a business,” Ms Serbest said.

“This scholarship aims to support international students to build the networks and local knowledge needed to help get their ideas off the ground and provide support structures to ensure early-stage founders have every opportunity to succeed.”

The new Venture Scholarships program is delivered by StartSpace powered by State Library Victoria, together with a team of facilitators, speakers and mentors, in partnership with Study Melbourne. 

Applications close on 3 March 2022 and the recipients will be announced at the Future Founders Networking Night on Thursday, 17 March 2022. 

For more information go to https://startspacehq.com/futurefounders/scholarship/

-ENDS-

Interviews are available with President of the Library Board of Victoria Christine Christian AO and Global Victoria CEO Gönül Serbest.

About StartSpace
StartSpace is a free business support service specifically for new and early-stage business founders.  Enabled by the Christine Christian Foundation and powered by State Library Victoria, StartSpace provides inspiration, information and practical guidance to help new businesses grow from concept to reality. Free membership offers events, training programs and access to a community of like-minded business and startup founders, as well as use of a coworking space at State Library Victoria. StartSpace membership is open to all new Victorian business founders, entrepreneurs and those with a great business idea looking to start their business journey. 

About State Library Victoria
Established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, State Library Victoria is Australia’s oldest public library and one of the first free libraries in the world. As the custodian of Victoria’s history, each year the library adds more than 70,000 physical and digital items to its rich collection of articles, artworks, photographs, manuscripts, books, journals, artefacts and much more. In 2021, the Library launched a new membership program offering tailored benefits to families, students and culture lovers alongside its flagship free Access membership.