South Australian government backs women with female-founded business grants

Women launching startups in South Australia will have access to government funding in a new grants program launched at _SOUTHSTART in Adelaide today.

The Fearless Innovator Grants Program will offer funding to women-run early stage startups.

The Malinauskas government has committed $110,000 from the Research and  Innovation Fund to support Women in Innovation (WINN) to facilitate this two-year pilot program in partnership with the Fearless Females Network (FFN).

Deputy Premier and industry, innovation and science minister Susan Close said program recognises that women consistently report hardship in accessing  the capital required to start and scale their businesses.

“Each startup businesses – as defined by their high growth and global outlook – has the potential to be transformative for the South Australian economy,” she said.

“Many of these innovative businesses are also having significant positive impact on their customers and communities – whether that be a new medical device with  improved health outcomes for patients, software to predict and mitigate the impacts  of climate change, or technology that helps a business operate more efficiently and achieve higher profits.”

Applications will open in June, with grants to be awarded to the  successful early-stage businesses at the annual WINN Awards in November 2024  and 2025.

Paula Turbill president of Women in Innovation (WINN) the government support  was timely with the them for International Women’s Day this year as ‘Count Her In: Invest in  Women. Accelerate Progress’.

“This unique funding initiative aims to address the gender gap in startup funding by  providing tailored support and capital to female founders in South Australia,” she said.

“Aligning this program with the Women In Innovation Awards is a great way to  continue supporting South Australia’s female-founded start-ups further along their  journey and achieve even more success. ”

The South Australian government revealed other initiatives for the state’s startups including support for up to 10 tech businesses to join Tribe Global Ventures delegations to the US or UK to pursue business exports and/or expansion.

Founders can apply for the missions here.

There are also Seed-Start grants, of up to $500,000 in matched funding to fast-track commercialisation of products and services; and the recently established Innovation Leaders Network, a platform to inspire collaboration between seasoned entrepreneurs and emerging startups

The South Australian Government is a sponsor and Foundation Partner of _SOUTHSTART.