Applications open for Kickstarter Challenge (Australia)

The Kickstarter Challenge is a competition for female entrepreneurs with a new business idea. Kickstart your business by entering this national competition and be in the running to win some amazing prizes, including a life-changing share of $60,000 equity-free prize money to help you accelerate your business idea.

Business Idea Categories

• There are four (4) business idea categories (Categories). Entrants must identify which of the Categories applies to their business idea.
  • Health, Wellbeing and The Care Economy: What improvements can be made to address health and wellbeing challenges facing Australians?
  • Climate Change and Sustainability: What is a sustainable solution to help protect and safeguard the climate?
  • Community Impact: What innovative idea helps to empower or provide value to the community as a whole or for a specific community?
  • Fintech or Ecommerce: What software, mobile application, or other technology solution can improve or automate traditional forms of finance or commerce for businesses and consumers alike?
• One (1) Finalist will be chosen for each Category.

What you will get?

• The total value of the equity-free cash prize money is $60,000 AUD which will be shared amongst the Competition Finalists as follows:
  • The Competition winner (Winner) will receive $30,000 AUD;
  • Each finalist (Finalist) will receive $7,500 AUD.
• Prizes are non-transferable and can only be awarded to the person or persons named in the entry (Recipient).
• The time frame (Time Frame) for acceptance of a Prize is forty eight (48) hours from the date of notice by the Organiser to the Recipient.
• Recipients must attend the Kickstarter Challenge National Grand Final event held in Canberra (Grand Final).
• Recipients will receive:
  • One (1) return flight to the Grand Final in Canberra (if they reside outside the ACT);
  • Accommodation for the duration of the Grand Final;
  • Media and PR training and social media support in the lead-up to the Grand Final;
  • Grand Final presentation support from professional graphic designers;
  • Mentorship opportunities;
  • A chance to meet key decision-makers to help develop their business idea; and
  • The opportunity to feature on an episode of Secrets of a Self Starter podcast.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible to win, Entrants must:
  • provide correct and accurate contact details
  • be at least 18 years of age;
  • identify as female;
  • reside in Australia;
  • represent a female-founded startup, with majority ownership and leadership held by women;
  • have a registered business and maintain their primary place of business within Australia;
  • hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN), either as a sole trader or associated with the business idea/name entered;
  • have commenced trading on or after 1 January 2022, if trading has begun;
  • generate business revenue below $75,000 AUD in the last 12 months of trading from the date of application, inclusive of grants received; and
  • maintain a business banking account in the name of the business idea submitted, established prior to entering the Promotion, or be willing to establish one if selected as a Finalist.
  • Proof of trading, commencement date and revenue may be requested at any stage and may include, but is not limited to, tax statements, web domain registration certificates, and ASIC records.
  • Business structure, ownership structure and investment structure may also be considered in determining eligibility as an early-stage start-up.

For more information, visit Council of Small Business Organisations Australia.