veski

What veski does

veski is an independent, Melbourne-based non-profit organization established in 2004 to enhance Victoria's intellectual capital through fellowships, awards, international networks, and leadership programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The organization operates as an intermediary between the Victorian Government, universities, industry, and philanthropic partners, administering a portfolio of approximately 25 programs across talent attraction, public outreach, and skills/training. These include flagship government-delivered programs (Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation, Victoria Fellowships, FAIR Fellowships, the Victorian Near-miss Award Pilot, Study Melbourne Research Partnerships), veski-branded talent programs (Innovation Fellowships, Sustainable Agriculture Fellowships, Inspiring Women Fellowships and Grants, veski kickstart, STEM sidebyside), and outreach vehicles (veski Conversations, Symposiums, Residencies, Fast Smarts, STEM filminators, and the Girls in STEM Mentoring Program, which veski has facilitated since 2025).

Rather than developing proprietary technology, veski delivers its programs through direct relationships, competitive selection processes, and in-person and hybrid events. Its offering comprises no software products, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities; technology is used only for standard website, email newsletter, social media (LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook), and YouTube video distribution. Programs are supported by partnerships with Monash University, Deakin University, the Bionics Institute, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Study Melbourne, Global Victoria, and the British Consulate General Melbourne, among others.

veski's revenue model is grant- and government-funding-based rather than commercial. Primary funding flows from the Victorian Government (delivered through the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions) and the veski Foundation Trust, with program-specific disbursements including up to $75,000 bridging-the-funding-gap grants and approximately $74,000 Near-miss Award Pilot grants. Disbursed funds administered (such as the $2.8 million across 15 Study Melbourne Research Partnerships projects) are program throughput rather than veski's own revenue. The organization is led by Managing Director and CEO Julia L Page, with Leonie Walsh as Chair and a board that includes alumni fellows; the team size is approximately 11 employees. Pricing or fees to participants are not commercially applicable, as participation is grant-supported.

Name

veski

Legal name

veski

Website

https://veski.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

veski is a Melbourne-based non-profit established in 2004 that administers STEM talent development programs, including fellowships, awards, and outreach initiatives, on behalf of the Victorian Government and partner organizations across academia and industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Talent Development Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDADAHAC

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Funding, Grants & Financial Aid Administration

SECONDARYBPAGADAG

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAIAOAJ

Research Grants, Fellowships & Stipends (International)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Scholarships, Funding & Financial Aid for International Study

SECONDARYBPADAKAG

Higher Education Capacity Building & Scholarships

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Education & Skills Development Programs

Keywords

• Stem fellowships
• Research grants
• Talent development
• Women in stem
• Innovation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: veski receives funding from the Victorian Government and other public sources to deliver STEM talent attraction, fellowship, and innovation programs. The organization administers grants and awards on behalf of funding bodies including the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

veski administers and delivers a portfolio of STEM talent development programs including competitive fellowships (veski Innovation Fellowships, veski Sustainable Agriculture Fellowships, veski Inspiring Women Fellowships, FAIR Fellowships, Victoria Fellowships), grants (veski Inspiring Women Bridging the Funding Gap of up to $75,000, Career Recovery grants, Victorian Near-miss Award Pilot of $74,000), professional development programs (veski kickstart, veski inspiring women STEM sidebyside), and outreach initiatives (Girls in STEM Mentoring Program, veski Conversations, veski Symposiums, veski Fast Smarts, veski Residencies, Falling Walls Lab Victoria, veski STEM filminators). The organization delivers flagship programs on behalf of the Victorian Government including the Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation and Victoria Fellowships since 2012.

Product overview

veski is an Australian organization established in 2004 to enhance Victoria's intellectual capital through a comprehensive portfolio of fellowships, awards, international networks, and leadership programs. Rather than a single software product, veski operates as a suite of interconnected STEM talent development programs delivered in partnership with government, academia, industry, and philanthropic partners. The core programs include the Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation and Victoria Fellowships (prestigious government awards), Innovation Fellowships, Sustainable Agriculture Fellowships, and Inspiring Women Fellowships. Supporting infrastructure programs include veski kickstart (career readiness training), Study Melbourne Research Partnerships (international research collaborations), and the FAIR Fellowships (health and medical research workforce support). Public engagement programs encompass veski Conversations, veski Symposiums, veski Residencies, veski Fast Smarts, veski STEM filminators, and the Girls in STEM Mentoring Program. The veski Inspiring Women STEM sidebyside Program provides professional development for women in STEM careers. veski activates the broader STEM ecosystem through publications, videos, and the veski Connected Community network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation Prestigious award recognizing leaders in science and innovation in Victoria, delivered since 2012 on behalf of the Victorian Government.
• Victoria Fellowships Fellowship program supporting global connections for Victorian researchers and innovators, delivered since 2012 on behalf of the Victorian Government.
• veski Innovation Fellowships Fellowship program supporting innovation talent in Victoria for outstanding researchers and innovators.
• veski Sustainable Agriculture Fellowships Fellowship program supporting sustainable agriculture research and innovation in Victoria.
• veski Inspiring Women Fellowships Fellowship program supporting women in STEM fields, addressing systemic barriers at critical career points.
• veski Inspiring Women STEM sidebyside Program Professional development program of workshops and networking opportunities established in 2018 to empower mid-career women in academia, industry, government, and the not-for-profit sector with skills, networks, and mindset to develop and achieve career goals in STEM.
• veski Inspiring Women Grants – Bridging the Funding Gap Pilot program in 2022/2023 providing up to $75,000 in 12-month funding to support women in STEM facing systemic barriers at critical career points.
• veski Inspiring Women Grants – Career Recovery Grant program supporting women in STEM career recovery after career interruptions.
• veski kickstart Program building connections between students and industry, academia, and business sectors to foster conversations and provide professional development for career progression.
• Fostering Achievement in Research (FAIR) Fellowships Fellowship program supporting retention and development of outstanding emerging researchers and future leaders in health and medical research, delivered on behalf of the Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Skills Industry and Regions. The 2024 cohort supports 13 recipients.
• Study Melbourne Research Partnerships Program awarding major research projects between Victorian public institutions and international industry or institutional partners, with $2.8m awarded across 15 projects in partnership with Study Melbourne.
• DAAD – VIC Research Funding Scheme Part of the Victoria-Germany Bilateral Academic Exchange Program, supporting onsite research at German institutions for academics from Victorian universities, delivered in partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
• Victorian Near-miss Award Pilot Pilot program supporting retention of outstanding emerging researchers who narrowly missed NHMRC Investigator Grant funding, with grants valued at $74,000 each, delivered in partnership with the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes.
• Girls in STEM Mentoring Program Six-month mentorship program for Year 9, 10, and 11 girls to explore real-world STEM with expert guidance from female STEM professionals. Originally launched in 2017 by Bionics Institute and facilitated by veski from 2025. The program has grown to include more than 70 students from 18 schools.
• veski STEM filminators Video competition inviting Victorian high school students to create STEM videos to compete for video of the year.
• veski Fast Smarts Premier event in Melbourne Knowledge Week (2017-2019), curated innovation showcase featuring Melbourne innovators in rapid-fire presentations across Living, Working, and Playing categories.
• veski Symposiums Regular symposia bringing together veski connection members with broader stakeholders to focus on solving problems facing Victoria and Australia.
• veski Residencies Program attracting leading thinkers, entrepreneurs, and internationally renowned industry specialists to Australia for short to medium-term postings delivering workshops, masterclasses, and public lectures.
• Falling Walls Lab Victoria Victorian heat of the international Falling Walls pitch competition hosted by veski in partnership with Deakin University, where participants deliver 3-minute pitches on breakthrough ideas, with winners proceeding to the Australian finale and global finale in Berlin.
• veski Conversations Support and networking opportunities for veski innovation fellows, ranging from intimate gatherings to large public events featuring world-leading speakers.
• veski Activations Financial assistance for activities in science and innovative technologies, including panel discussions, exhibitions, workshops, and delegations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13 emerging researchers supported through FAIR Fellowships 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Victorian GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funding partner supporting veski's mission to enhance Victoria's intellectual capital through fellowships, awards, and innovation programs. The government provides funding for Victoria Prize, Victoria Fellowships, FAIR Fellowships, and other workforce development initiatives.
• Victorian UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Victorian universities to deliver fellowships, research partnerships, and talent development programs. Universities serve as hosts for veski fellows and partners in Study Melbourne Research Partnerships.
• Study MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver the Study Melbourne Research Partnerships program, awarding $2.8m in major research projects between Victorian public institutions and international partners.
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under the Victoria-Germany Bilateral Academic Exchange Program. DAAD-VIC Research Funding Scheme supports onsite research at German institutions for Victorian academics.
• Bionics InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal creator and supporter of the Girls in STEM Mentoring Program. Since 2025, the program is facilitated by veski, continuing the mission to connect students with inspiring women in STEM.
• Deakin UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in hosting Falling Walls Lab Victoria and supporting various veski programs and activities.
• Monash UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner for various veski programs including veski residencies and the inspiring women STEM sidebyside program since its inaugural launch in 2018.
• British Consulate General MelbourneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided support for the inaugural veski inspiring women STEM sidebyside program launch in 2018.
• Global Victoria / Invest VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment bodies supporting international research partnerships and the Study Melbourne Research Partnerships program governance.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Australian Academy of Science: Runs fellowships, awards, and international exchange programs for Australian scientists, directly comparable to veski's fellowship portfolio and government-delivered science prizes.
• The Ian Potter Foundation: Major Australian philanthropic foundation funding science, research, and education initiatives, comparable to veski Foundation in scale, mission, and grantmaking approach.
• Falling Walls Foundation: International pitch competition organizer that licenses the Falling Walls Lab format to veski; both run annual pitch competitions aimed at breakthrough science ideas.
• Science & Technology Australia: Australia's peak body for STEM, advocating for the sector and running programs that overlap with veski's mission of connecting and supporting STEM talent across academia, industry, and government.
• Fulbright Australia: Operates international fellowships and exchange scholarships for Australian researchers, directly overlapping with veski's Victoria Fellowships and DAAD-VIC Research Funding Scheme.
• Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE): Administers fellowships, awards, and industry-academia engagement programs across Australian STEM, mirroring veski's model of combining recognition, talent development, and policy engagement.

Broad incumbents

• NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council): Federal health/medical research funding body whose grant outcomes directly drive demand for veski's FAIR Fellowships and Near-miss Award Pilot, operating as a structural upstream partner.
• CSIRO: Australia's national science agency runs large-scale workforce, postdoctoral, and industry collaboration programs; broad incumbent in the same STEM talent ecosystem that veski operates in.

Emerging players

• Bionics Institute: Original creator of the Girls in STEM Mentoring Program, which transferred to veski in 2025; comparable STEM outreach focus with deep ties to veski's pipeline programs.

Others

• The Myer Foundation: Australian philanthropic foundation funding education, science, and the arts, relevant as a comparable funder of STEM/education initiatives and a potential partnership peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/veski
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/veski
• Facebookfacebook.com/veskiaus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veski

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about veski