Australian fintech and e-Commerce founders are being offered the chance to win a share of $60,000 in equity-free funding
Australian Fintech and e-Commerce founders are being offered the chance to win a share of $60,000 in equity-free funding in a national competition designed to empower the next generation of female founders.
There are less than six weeks left for Fintech founders with a clever new technological solution, software or mobile application that would benefit businesses or consumers to enter The Accelerator for Enterprising Women Kickstarter Challenge.
Entrants will be in the running to secure the financial push they need to bring their business ideas to life through a pitch-style competition in front of a panel of judges at Parliament House, Canberra, on October 9, 2024.
Five finalists in different categories will be selected to pitch their new business in person at the Grand Final event, with support, tools and resources from our experts to assist with pitch preparation.
A panel of expert judges will select finalists in four categories:
- Health, Wellbeing and the Care Economy
- Climate Change and Sustainability
- Community Impact
- Fintech or e-Commerce
A fifth finalist will be determined by public vote, giving those who enter early the chance to leverage their networks to help them be named a competition finalist.
The winner will be awarded $30,000 in equity-free funding to develop her business idea. The other finalists will each receive $7,500.
The Accelerator for Enterprising Women’s Kickstarter Challenge is open to all promising female entrepreneurs over 18. Submissions close on August 16 and voting closes on August 23.
The program is delivered in partnership with the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA). COSBOA Chief Executive Officer Luke Achterstraat said they wanted to help create a career path for anyone dreaming of a future in entrepreneurship.
“This competition will be a pivotal moment not just for the winner of the $30,000 in equity-free funding, but for a host of others who will find the courage, support and information they need to get their ideas off the ground too,” Achterstraat said.
“Women in our community have so many transformational ideas we need to harvest for the good of society and our economy.”
The Accelerator for Enterprising Women’s spokesperson Fleur Anderson said such programs were imperative as research continued to show how far women lag behind in entrepreneurship.
“We have chosen four entry categories ripe for some truly game-changing ideas and we’re excited to see what women across Australia come up with. Australia is already home to some impressive FinTech and e-Commerce companies, and we are excited to see what new ideas the Kickstarter Challenge will uncover,” Ms Anderson said.
“Initiatives such as this Kickstarter Challenge, and the Accelerator for Enterprising Women, uncover the depth of the talent out there and give women tangible paths forward to embrace their potential as successful business owners.”
Enter at www.enterprisingme.com.au/accelerate/kickstarter-challenge
