Five successful organisations will share in the government grants to provide opportunities for women to start or further develop a small business.
The Minns Labor Government is continuing its work to set NSW up for future economic prosperity, supporting more women to establish and run their businesses by providing practical business planning support through its Supporting Women in Business program.
Organisations’ programs were chosen based on providing women with access to customised projects that offer training, mentorship, networking skills and opportunities, financial support and business development advice. Programs prioritised women with disability, carers, from multicultural backgrounds, living in Western Sydney and regional, rural and remote areas, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
“Perhaps they’ve had an idea and, with the right education and support, can turn their idea into a dream business,” Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said. “These programs can be accessed by women from communities right across the state and give them the opportunity and skills to build or expand an existing business.”
Each of the five organisations will run targeted projects tailored to their focus communities, addressing their unique needs and circumstances.
For example, the Rural Woman Cooperative’s ‘Thriving Together: Business Success and Financial Empowerment for Rural Women’ will provide business training, peer-mentoring and networking opportunities to women in regional, rural and remote NSW.
“We’re connecting rural women across NSW with the tools, training and networks they need to thrive in business — because when rural women rise, entire communities benefit,” Rural Woman Cooperative Chairperson Rebel Black said. “This program is about putting tools in their hands, wisdom in their minds and value in their hearts. We believe rural women thrive when they’re connected, resourced and seen — and that’s what this funding will help us deliver.
Black wants to see more rural women starting and growing businesses that matter to them and their communities.
“We want them to feel connected, capable and financially secure — not just in their business, but in their wellbeing. This is about unlocking leadership, reducing barriers and building long-term economic participation,” she added.
Meanwhile, Women Veterans Australia’s ‘The Phoenix Entrepreneur – a business coaching program for female veterans’ is an eight-week accelerator program, guiding 30 female veterans through business development and scaling, with the support of experienced business owners.
“Our groundbreaking Phoenix Entrepreneur program is the first of its kind in NSW, aimed to provide career guidance and skill development designed exclusively to support women veterans who often face invisible challenges transitioning from military to civilian life,” Women Veterans Australia Chairperson Llani Kennealy said. “We are fostering visibility, leadership and long-term contribution.”
According to Kennealy, the program enables women veterans to reimagine their post-service identities, not as a continuation of being underserved, but as empowered entrepreneurs driving impact in their families, communities and industries.
“Women use networks to overcome barriers, share learning and support each other. This program provides an opportunity for women veterans living in NSW to share this learning experience, create networks and support each other as they commence their futures post-service,” Kennealy added.
The program continues the Minns Labor Government’s work to boost women’s economic opportunity and further efforts to increase gender equality across the spectrum from business ownership to women’s leadership.
“We know men outnumber women as business owners in New South Wales. With this program, we hope to help level the playing field and equip women with more of the tools they need to successfully run their own business,” Harrison said. “Women of all backgrounds deserve equal opportunity to thrive, leading to happier families, robust communities and a stronger New South Wales economy.”
For more information, visit the Supporting Women in Business grants program page.
Read also: FRRR and VFFF grant $50K for youth-focussed projects in NSW
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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