Despite being some of the most resilient, capable, and creative leaders in the innovation space, female founders remain significantly underfunded in Australia and globally.
In 2024, less than 2% of venture capital funding in Australia went to female-only founder teams. Even though many of these women-led ventures outperform on revenue and capital efficiency, systemic barriers — from unconscious bias to limited networks — continue to affect funding access.
As a female run boutique consultancy, this is highly concerning. We know what it takes to run a business, and the wisdom, guidance and insights women can offer.
The good news? A number of government grants and support programs are working to help level the playing field — providing equity-free capital, mentorship, and commercialisation support designed specifically for women-led businesses.
If you’re a woman building something bold, this blog is your go-to guide for identifying the funding pathways that can power your next step.
💡 Why Gender-Specific Support Still Matters
Programs that support female founders are not about lowering the bar — they’re about removing friction in systems that weren’t built with gender equity in mind.
Female-led businesses often:
- Operate in underserved markets with strong social impact
- Adopt capital-efficient growth models
- Employ more inclusive hiring and leadership practices
Yet they face higher hurdles accessing private investment. That’s where non-dilutive government funding can step in — to support research, product development, scale-up, and global expansion.
🚀 Key Funding Programs for Female Founders in Australia
Below are some grants, initiatives, and programs to explore if you’re a woman in innovation:
- Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WiSE)
- Targets STEM-focused ventures and education programs
- Funds both business-led and ecosystem-level initiatives
- State-Based Programs
- NSW, VIC, QLD and other states offer women-in-business and regional innovation grants
- Examples: Alice Anderson Fund (VIC), Female Founders Co-Investment Fund (QLD)
- Accelerators & Incubators for Women
- SheStarts, SBE Australia, Tech Ready Women and others offer structured funding-readiness programs
- Often paired with pitch opportunities and investor exposure
🧭 Tips to Strengthen Your Grant Application
Many grant assessors are not industry experts — they’re looking for clarity, credibility, and commitment. Here’s how to stand out:
- Tell a strong founder story — explain your motivation, market insight, and traction
- Back claims with data — show evidence of demand, performance, and impact
- Link your mission to national priorities — think: jobs, export, advanced manufacturing, sustainability
- Demonstrate capability — highlight your team’s expertise, partnerships, and ability to deliver
💡 Tip: Most assessors read dozens of applications. Make yours easy to read, logically structured, and jargon-free.
🤝 How Noah Connect Can Help
We work closely with female founders across tech, health, creative industries, and sustainability to identify grants, structure claims, and build long-term funding strategies.
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling into global markets, we help you:
- Build strategic, compelling applications
- Map grant timing to your growth plan
- Avoid red tape and maximise funding outcomes
Let us help you claim what you’re entitled to — and go even further.
📩 Book a free consultation or eligibility check with us here.
Coming Up Next Week:
Case Study: How a Hardware Startup Unlocked R&D Funding— Is your hardware project eligible under the R&D Tax Incentive?
