• Accelerate Small Business Grants Program
• Small Business Entrepreneur Grants Program
• Small Business Digital Grants Program
• Ignite Ideas Fund

ACCELERATE SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS PROGRAM

1. Funding up to $10K with 50% matched by the business (up to $20K project)
2. For upcoming projects involving the engagement of business mentors, advisors, etc. for a period of 6-12 months
3. Eligibility requirements:
4. Businesses must have traded for a minimum of 3 years
5. Had at least $500,000 in turnover for the previous 12 months
6. Less than 20 employees
7. Potential for high growth within the next 2 years (defined as a 20% increase in turnover or employment)
8. Must have a business plan in place
9. Must have the capacity to access finance to fund the growth of their business

The Queensland Government is providing $3 million in grant funding over 3 years to established Queensland-based small businesses to engage business mentors, coaches, specialist consultants or an advisory board, for a 6 to 12 month period. (An advisory board provides non-binding strategic advice to a management team).

The Accelerate Small Business Grants Program provides targeted assistance to small businesses that demonstrate high-growth and employment aspirations, to enable them to engage high-level experts and strategic advisors to work closely with them in their business.

Available funding

Matching funding of up to $10,000 (excluding GST) may be provided to eligible businesses to engage business mentors, coaches, specialist consultants or an advisory board, for between 6 to 12 months. The funding must be matched by a cash contribution from the participating business. 

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for this grant, the business must:

• have a minimum trading history of 3 years at the time of application
• have a minimum turnover of $500,000 in the previous 12 months
• have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST
• have Queensland headquarters or significant Queensland operations
• have competitive opportunities in domestic or international markets
• be experiencing growth and have clearly defined high-growth and employment opportunities
• declare if any owners or directors of the business are an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent.

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SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR GRANTS PROGRAM

1. Funding up to $5K with 50% matched by the business (up to $10K project)
2. For upcoming projects involving the engagement of professional business, tax, computing, legal or financial advice as well as business mentors, advisors, etc.
3. Eligible businesses must have less than 20 employees and be registered within the last 4 years at time of application
4. Eligible businesses must be based in QLD
5. Application process involves:
   1. Obtaining relevant quote/proposal for digital technology being utilised
   2. 2 hour meeting with RADBE Consulting to complete application

The Small Business Entrepreneur Grants Program provides new small businesses access to professional advice and support in the critical early stages of establishing a business.

Available funding

Matched funding of up to $5,000 (excluding GST) may be provided to eligible businesses to engage a consultant, advisor or business coach for up to 3 months to help establish or develop the business. The minimum grant funding amount is $1,000.

The advice must fall under 1 or more of the following areas:

• professional business, tax, computing, legal or financial (accounting) advice
• mentoring/coaching
• business and strategic planning
• market research and marketing strategies, including branding strategies and social media/digital strategies.

Payment will be made directly to the business on completion of the project and on presentation of proof of payment for the service.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible the business must:

• have a business name registered within the last 4 years
• have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be based in Queensland
• not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

The participating business must provide a project report on completion of the project detailing how the funds were spent and the impact it has had on the business.

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SMALL BUSINESS DIGITAL GRANTS PROGRAM

1. Funding up to $10K with 50% matched by the business (up to $20K project)
2. For upcoming projects involving the incorporation of digital technology into the business
3. Must be a small business (<$2 million in turnover) and less than 20 employees to be eligible
4. Application process involves:
5. Obtaining relevant quote/proposal for digital technology being utilised
6. 2 hour meeting with RADBE Consulting to complete application

The Small Business Digital Grants Program provides small businesses with access to digital technologies and services to enable them to work smarter, engage with the global economy and make the most of online business opportunities arising from digital disruption.

Available funding

Matched funding of up to $10,000 (excluding GST) may be provided to eligible businesses for the purchase of hardware, software and services (such as digital coaching). The minimum grant funding is $1000. The business must show that the digital technology or service purchased and adopted will enhance the digital capabilities of their business and help them to be more competitive and employ more staff.

Payment will be made directly to the business on completion of the project and on presentation of proof of payment for the product or service.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible the business must:

• have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST
• be based in Queensland
• have a turnover of $2 million or less in the last financial year

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STATE BASED GRANTS

There are a multitude of state based grants available servicing a variety of industries with the primary focus of creating skilled employment and enhancing innovation allowing Queensland to better compete in global markets.

Main programs listed below:

IGNITE IDEAS FUND

1. Funding up to $100K with no requirement for matched funding for businesses with less than 5 employees
2. Funding up to $100K with 20% matched by the business (up to $125K project) for businesses with 5-19 employees
3. Funding up to $250K with 50% matched by the business (up to $500K project)
4. For upcoming projects involving proof of product or proof of market
5. Must be a business with a minimum viable product (MVP)
6. Next round expected to be open early to mid-2018

The Ignite Ideas Fund supports startups and small to medium Queensland businesses to commercialise market ready innovative ideas that will help them grow and compete in a global market and create new jobs.  Grants of up to $250,000 (excluding GST) are available to support activities that will test and implement commercialisation plans for a product, process or service that is at or beyond minimum viable product or market ready stage.

The Ignite Ideas fund aims to support startups and small to medium Queensland businesses to commercialise market ready innovative ideas that:

• generate jobs today and in the future
• enhance innovation and skilled job opportunities across regional Queensland
• help Queensland businesses compete in global markets
• grow Queensland’s reputation.

To be eligible for funding, organisations must be a Queensland based organisation and meet the following requirements:

• be a Queensland registered and based business that is undertaking the project
• have less than 200 full time equivalent staff
• have a Queensland developed and owned (or rights assigned) highly innovative (new) product, process or service which is at, or beyond, minimum viable product or market ready stage
• have a clearly defined project that has the potential to achieve high growth for the business and benefit Queensland’s economy

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