Melbourne-based Press Play Ventures claimed the prestigious “Almighty GSD Award” at the Startup Daily Best in Tech Awards 2025, recognizing the organization’s exceptional ability to “Get Stuff Done” in Australia’s startup ecosystem. The award celebrates Press Play’s remarkable impact in accelerating women’s entrepreneurship, having helped over 125 founders launch 104 startups in just the past year, with several participants raising millions in funding and securing major enterprise clients within 12 months of completing the program.
Founded as Australia’s first dedicated startup accelerator for women, Press Play Ventures operates a transformative 12-week program designed to take participants from employee to entrepreneur. The program addresses the critical gender gap in startup founding, providing comprehensive support including coaching, mentorship, community building, and access to funding networks. Backed by LaunchVic and Natural Velocity, Press Play has established itself as a cornerstone of Australia’s efforts to diversify the entrepreneurship landscape.
The GSD Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional execution and results delivery in the Australian tech ecosystem. Press Play’s selection reflects their proven track record of translating ambitious goals into measurable outcomes, particularly in addressing systemic barriers that prevent women from launching startups. The program’s success metrics include significant funding achievements by graduates, with some raising millions in venture capital and others securing substantial enterprise contracts within their first year post-program.
Press Play’s methodology combines practical business development with mindset transformation, helping participants transition from corporate thinking to entrepreneurial leadership. The program covers essential startup fundamentals including market validation, business model development, fundraising strategies, and go-to-market execution. Participants benefit from expert coaching, peer support networks, and connections to Press Play’s extensive partner ecosystem including investors, corporate partners, and industry mentors.
The organization has expanded its impact through strategic partnerships and specialized programs, including collaboration with Natural Velocity on an AI accelerator initiative. Press Play regularly hosts events like “Pathways to Capital,” connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with funding sources and demystifying the investment process. These initiatives have positioned Press Play as more than an accelerator—it has become a comprehensive support system for women entrepreneurs across Australia.
The timing of this recognition comes as Australia faces ongoing challenges in startup diversity and gender representation in entrepreneurship. Press Play’s model demonstrates that targeted, high-quality support can rapidly accelerate women’s participation in startup founding while delivering strong business outcomes. The GSD Award validation reinforces Press Play’s position as a critical infrastructure piece in Australia’s startup ecosystem, providing a replicable model for addressing entrepreneurship gaps through focused, results-driven programming.
