Global fintech unicorn Airwallex recently launched its Airwallex for Startups program in Australia to such success that they’re giving away a second $10,000 Business Acceleration Grant.
Designed to foster the next generation of local startup talent, the program is already making huge waves in several industries, providing entrepreneurs with a suite of financial tools, educational resources, industry networking opportunities and, now, another chance to win a $10,000 Business Acceleration Grant.
Making an immediate impact
Launched at the start of May 2024, Airwallex for Startups has gained plenty of traction over its first month.
“Since launching just over a month ago we’ve had more than 500 startups join the program,” says Matthew Sek, Vice President of SME & Growth at Airwallex.
“We’ve also received overwhelming interest from partners and the wider community who want to be involved in guiding the next generation of unicorns towards success.”
The free program is aimed at inspiring local startups to succeed by providing them with tools and opportunities to accelerate their growth – and perhaps follow the lead of Airwallex itself.
Founded in Melbourne in 2015 by CEO Jack Zhang and co-founders Max Li, Xijing Dai and Lucy Liu, Airwallex has become a popular financial platform for early-stage and high-growth startups who are juggling domestic and international money needs.
Ongoing support for startups
Airwallex for Startups has set itself up as a holistic support system for entrepreneurs, with the program offering a range of benefits including:
- Educational resources: Startups can unlock practical educational resources that will help them master their financial operations. This includes a variety of learning materials and industry-first research aimed at enhancing financial literacy.
- Networking opportunities: Through the program’s community, entrepreneurs are invited to networking events where founders can connect with industry experts, VC investors, mentors and fellow entrepreneurs. “We have been hosting weekly community events with partners across Melbourne and Sydney since the launch of Airwallex for Startups,” Sek says.
- Exclusive offers: Members also have access to exclusive product offers tailored for startups, some of the most popular of which include “$50k free FX for their next cap raise, $50k in payment acceptance rebates and free cards for founders,” Sek says. Entrepreneurs can also take advantage of media and editorial opportunities to build their brand.
New $10,000 Business Acceleration Grant
One of the most exciting features of the program is that Airwallex is giving away another $10,000 Business Acceleration Grant.
The grant will help startups get the financial boost they need to take their business to the next level. Previous winner Maria Baker of Nobody’s Princess used the grant to fund her startup’s expansion into the US and Canadian snow-gear markets.
Sek says the grant can be used for a variety of purposes: “Anything that will help their business thrive. This can include overcoming a business challenge, streamlining a process, kickstarting a new project and everything in between.”
The deadline for applications is 30 June 2024, with the grant open to registered Australian businesses from two to 100 employees.
Maria Baker won Airwallex for Startups’ first $10,000 Business Acceleration Grant. Image: Supplied.
Giving back to the startup community
Sek says the impetus for rolling out Airwallex for Startups in Australia is down to the unicorn wanting to use its position to help guide local businesses to incredible financial success.
“There are only nine unicorns in Australia right now, and at Airwallex we’d love to see this number grow,” he says. “As a homegrown business, we have a role in guiding our next generation of unicorns towards success.
“As a global fintech specifically, we know we can help founders and entrepreneurs with upskilling in all areas of money management, from cash flow management to capital raising. We know the pain points of startups acutely, having walked in their shoes ourselves not too long ago.”
What’s next
As the Airwallex for Startups program continues to expand, its reach and impact will also grow.
Sek says Airwallex is committed to improving its offerings and providing even more value to its members.
“We will be releasing a startup research report next quarter,” he says. “And keep an eye out for more events and startup resources to be released later this year.” he says.
Join now at the Airwallex for Startups page and apply for the $10,000 Business Acceleration Grant before June 30. The application process is free for registered businesses, and the potential benefits could lead to your own unicorn status. Terms and conditions apply.
This article is brought to you by Startup Daily in partnership with Airwallex.
Feature image: AdobeStock
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