The State Government has launched a new $3 million grant program to help small businesses develop their skills, tap into expert know-how and grow their business.
“The Small Business Entrepreneur Grants provide matched funding of up to $5,000 to help businesses access professional advice and support in the critical early development stages,” Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch said on Friday.
“We are supporting our business entrepreneurs by giving them the help they need to make the best start and not just survive, but thrive.
“With the help of a Small Business Entrepreneur grant they will have funds to do a business plan; get the right legal, financial or computing advice; find a mentor; conduct market research; or build a brand so that they stand out from the crowd.”
Ms Enoch said the Government was committed to creating the right environment where small business can start, grow and employ.
“The Small Business Entrepreneur Grants complement our other new grant programs – Small Business Digital Grants and Small Business Accelerate Grants – to help Queensland’s small businesses respond to competition, embrace new opportunities and create jobs.
“Queensland’s 406,000 small businesses employ around 43 per cent of Queensland’s private sector workforce, which is why it is so important that we provide these businesses with the support they need to continue to grow and create jobs for Queenslanders.”
The Small Business Entrepreneur Grants program builds on the successful Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow Home-based Business Grants program.
“This was an extremely successful program with 93 per cent of grant recipients reporting improved work-life balance now or in the future, 97 per cent reporting they expect their revenue to grow in the next 12 months and many businesses reporting they expect to take on more staff in the next 12 months,” Ms Enoch said.
“We want to do more for small business and through this new program we have extended the offer of advisory services to all small businesses, not just home-based businesses.”
Applications for the Small Business Entrepreneur Grants program are now open and close March 3, 2017.
