Kickstarter Challenge helps women kick start their entrepreneurial dreams
Applications open today for the Accelerator for Enterprising Women’s Kickstarter Challenge, offering women with brilliant new business ideas the chance to share in $60,000 equity-free funding to help achieve their business dreams.
The 2023 Kickstarter Challenge supports Australia’s next generation of female entrepreneurs to kick start innovative businesses in areas of critical need to the Australian economy.
Supported by the Australian Government and launched in February by Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, this year’s Kickstarter Challenge invites new women-led business pitches in the following sectors:
- STEM and technology
- Health, wellbeing and the care economy
- Climate change and sustainability
- Women’s economic equality
The Kickstarter winner will be awarded $30,000 equity-free seed funding and the finalists will each receive $7,500 to develop their business; in addition to mentoring opportunities and introductions to a community of like-minded female entrepreneurs.
In addition, a People’s Choice award will be decided by popular vote before entries close in mid-October. Last year more than 8,300 people across Australia voted for their favourite Kickstarter business among 63 business pitches.
Last year’s inaugural winner, 24-year-old Hailey Brown, used her prize money to expand her inclusive travel app Vacayit which provides immersive audio guides to travellers who are blind or have low vision.
“Joining the Accelerator for Enterprising Women was truly a pivotal moment for Vacayit,” Hailey said. “Enterprising Women’s invaluable funding, resources, mentorship and community helped us propel our business to new heights.”
Applications for the Kickstarter Challenge are now open here.
Judges include industry leaders and key members of Australia’s start-up ecosystem. The winners will be announced at the Kickstarter Challenge Grand Final in Canberra at the end of the year.
