For the latest CivVic challenge, LauncVic is joining forces with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to ask Victorian innovators: 

“How might we use technology to ensure that all passengers have fair and equitable access to public transport?” 

CivVic Labs fosters collaboration between emerging startups and key government departments, and an agile co-design process to support startups in identifying product-market fit.  

The program’s focus on generating commercially ready startups has seen participants raise over $2.5 million in capital in under two years. Read more.

OVERVIEW OF THE CHALLENGE 

The current challenge with DTP focuses on making access to the public transport network equitable for all passengers, particularly those impacted by blindness, low vision, deafness, mobility issues, and neurological or psychological disabilities.  

In August 2023, DTP conducted extensive research into the customer journeys of people with disabilities using public transport, revealing significant challenges, including high time and cost penalties for travel, on-network stress points, and a lack of real-time community-level information sharing. 

CivVic Labs will offer an unparalleled opportunity for startups to work closely with DTP and relevant stakeholders, addressing these challenges and contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and equitable public transport system.  

WHAT TO EXPECT 

LaunchVic is seeking startups or startup entrepreneurs to participate, offering access to world-class mentors, community and stakeholder experts, and potential promotional support from DTP and LaunchVic.   

Ten startups will be selected for this challenge, each receiving $15,000 in equity-free funding to develop their solution in a six-week design sprint April-June 2024. 

At the end of the experience, each startup will pitch for a further $35,000 to bring the solution to life. Two startups will receive additional seed funding at the program’s conclusion. 

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ARE OPEN UNTIL 1PM TUESDAY FEBRUARY 27

Further information about the challenge is available on the LaunchVic website.

For enquiries, please contact the CivVic Labs team by email.