Have you got a cracking business idea? Or maybe you know someone who does?
The St.George Kick Start 2020 program is now open, offering Australian entrepreneurs and small business owners a chance to win a share of a $100,000 grant to help start their business or bring an idea for their existing business to life.
Growing a small business or getting your business idea off the ground is no easy feat, particularly when it comes to funding. Even if you have that moment of inspiration, or an idea you’ve always wanted to explore, it can be difficult without the cash to back you.
The St.George Kick Start program is a platform that gives SMEs and entrepreneurs the chance to receive funding and turn their dreams into a reality.
Jo Palmer, Founder of Pointer Remote Roles – a remote workforce specialist company, won the ‘fast pitch’ St.George Kick Start program in 2019 and used the business grant to hire her first full-time employee as it helps to connect businesses with talent who work remotely.
Palmer said: “Winning the $40,000 grant allowed me to scale my business, which I’d never thought was possible. Thanks to the St.George Kick Start program we’ve been able to help more companies connect with the talent they need in their business, remotely. An increase in jobs has meant talented professionals who live in rural Australia have been able to access the same jobs as those in the city. This has created incredible opportunities for those in rural areas impacted by ongoing drought and the recent bushfires.”
You can apply for one of two categories:
Category 1. A NEW business idea. You’ve recently launched or are about to launch an exciting new business based on your great idea. You may not be trading yet, but have solid plans in place.
Category 2. An idea to grow your EXISTING business. You’ve been running a business for at least 18 months and want to diversify or grow.
Kick Start isn’t just there to support your bright ideas, your mates can be getting the support they deserve also. Nominate a friend or business that deserves to make it big and you could win a TEDxSydney experience valued at up to $5,000.
You have to be in it to win it, so:
- Get your entry in before 11:59pm on 23 March 2020
- Make sure your entry provides as much detail within the word count to give us a good understanding of the idea.
- The 12 finalists (6 per category) will pitch their ideas in 60 seconds to judges at the Business Tribe at TEDxSydney 2020. (yes – you score a free ticket to the event as a finalist!)
- Each category winner will receive $40,000 and the runner-up $10,000. You have a 1 in 3 chance of walking away with a prize! That’s worth a crack!
Visit stgeorge.com.au/business/kickstart to find out more and enter.
Best of luck, not that you need it!
