Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher has announced the launch of Kickstarter Challenge 2023 which seeks to recognise Australia’s next generation of exceptional female entrepreneurs.
Open to all promising female entrepreneurs with big ideas who are over the age of 18, the Kickstarter Challenge is a key initiative of The Accelerator for Enterprising Women, part of the Government-funded Future Female Entrepreneurs Program, which aims to equip women with vital tools and knowledge to forge a path in entrepreneurship.
To help prepare for the competition, women will be invited to attend a series of free Female Founder Festivals, hosted by the Accelerator for Enterprising Women, which will give them access to valuable resources and an alliance of established entrepreneurs and role models. In addition, intensive Incubator Workshops will be held to help attendees grow their ideas from a basic concept into something they are ready to share with the world.
A panel of expert judges will select finalists in the categories of STEM and Technology Health, Wellbeing and the Care Economy Climate Change and Sustainability Women’s Economic Equality. A fifth finalist will also be chosen from entrants who nominate for the Popular Vote category.
The winner will be awarded $30,000 in seed capital funding to develop their business idea while the other finalists will each receive $7,500.
Last year’s winner, 24-year-old Hailey Brown, used her prize money to expand her storytelling app Vacayit which provides immersive audio guides to travellers who are blind or with low vision. She also got to participiate in the ASEAN-Australia Women Leaders’ Side Event: Unlocking Women’s Entrepreneurship Towards Regional Economic Growth in December 2022 in Phnom Penh.
“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. We’re incredibly grateful for the critical role that the program has played in our success and growth.”
“The Government is very proud to support Kickstarter, which empowers women to foster their bright ideas and energy to become Australia’s next generation of innovative business leaders,” Minister Gallagher said. “Enterprising women have helped build Australia and will play an increasingly important role in Australia’s future.”
