The Federal Government has announced nearly $12 million in funding to help Innovative, female-led startups across Australia to scale up and grow their businesses.
The funding was delivered through the Boosting Female Founders Initiative, which is supporting 51 female-founded and owned startups with grants of between $25,000 and $480,000.
The recipients were assessed and selected by an independent selection committee of experienced women entrepreneurs led by Professor Jana Matthews, ANZ Chair in Business Growth and Director of the Australian Centre for Business Growth at the University of South Australia.
Among the successful applicants is NSW-based Arula Technologies, which will establish a customised external breast prosthesis project to assist women who have undergone breast removal surgery, by creating 3D printed, customised and comfortable breast prostheses made specifically to fit women’s bodies and any mastectomy bra.
Queensland startup Aubot Pty Ltd also received a Boosting Female Founders Initiative grant in Round 1 to develop its Jevaroo robot carer for persons with a disability and seniors.
Melbourne-based startup Bring Me Home Pty Ltd has been awarded $271,785 in funding to deliver the “Bring Me Home Box” project which will focus on connecting customers with food wholesalers and manufacturers that have surplus food to sell, reducing food waste in the commercial sector, and helping businesses and consumers save money.
Announcing the successful applicants, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said Australia’s dynamic startup sector played a ‘crucial role in creating new jobs, developing innovative products and boosting the Australian economy’.
“The road from business idea to global product is already a tough one. But we know female-founded startups face even greater challenges in getting the finance needed to reach their full potential,” Minister Andrews said.
“The range of startups being supported is incredible, from an Indigenous-designed digital skills training program for schools, to a project creating 3D printed, customised and comfortable breast prostheses made specifically to fit women’s bodies and mastectomy bras.
“If we don’t capitalise on great business ideas from half of the population, Australia’s startup and innovation ecosystems will only be half as good as they could be. This investment will strengthen our economy and empower more female entrepreneurs to create more jobs for all Australians.”
Professor Matthews added: “We were all delighted by the strength of response to this Initiative – both in the sheer number of responses received, and the extraordinarily high calibre of our successful applicants.
“These successful applicants all presented viable concepts, with strong business plans showing great potential for growth and job creation. The selection committee and I look forward to tracking their progress and applauding their success,” she concluded.
Applications for the second round of the Boosting Female Founders Initiative will open in early 2021.
For a full list of recipients visit https://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/boosting-female-founders/grant-recipients.
