A Mount Tambourine social enterprise jeans designer is one of more than 200 Queensland small businesses to share in $1 million to enhance their digital capabilities and work smarter thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s Small Business Digital Grants.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman today announced the 237 successful recipients under the latest round of grants.
“We want to support our small businesses to be able to grow, succeed and employ more Queenslanders,” Ms Fentiman said.
“It’s fantastic that we can assist businesses like Outland Denim who are doing incredible work in the social enterprise space, producing high quality denim clothing while offering sustainable employment and training opportunities to women who have experienced exploitation.”
“Outland Denim will use the grant to employ a specialist to develop a plan to optimise its online sales platform and improve the usability of the website.”
“We know that 62% of customers will stop considering a small business if they can’t find them online, this is why it’s so important that will invest in Queensland businesses to increase their online presence.”
Outland Denim Co-founder Erica Bartle said the grant would enable the three-year-old company to further its digital marketing presence in the highly competitive e-commerce environment.
“Greater online brand recognition will lead to more sales and ultimately we will be able to employ more vulnerable people,” Ms Bartle said.
The Minister said the State Government helps hundreds of small businesses each year through its Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016–20.
“Since 2016 the Small Business Digital Grants program has supported more than 1,400 small businesses in Queensland with more than $7 million,” Ms Fentiman said.
“The latest round of funding of up to $10,000 will help businesses from Stanthorpe to the Daintree to undertake a range of improvements through the purchase of hardware, software and services such as digital coaching.”
In this latest round, submissions from Indigenous small businesses doubled with a corresponding increased number of successful recipients.
“Indigenous Gold Coast sportswear designer, Primal Sport, will receive funds to expand its website and improve the customer experience through developing a 3D apparel kit builder,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Sunshine Coast photographer Claudine Thornton and the Nyanda Aboriginal Cultural Tours at Nudgee will use their grants to develop digital strategies.”
“Following the recent bushfires it is timely to also be able to support a Noosaville manufacturer of fire-fighting helicopters as one of the digital grant recipients.
“Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment Limited will receive the grant to help expand and improve their design drafting software and 3D printing capabilities.”
“Under this year’s State Budget we have committed another $4 million to deliver small business grants programs through the Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016–20 to continue making Queensland the place for small business to start, grow and employ.”
“More than 98 per cent of recipients have reported increased turnover, profitability and job creation,” Ms Fentiman said.
Round seven of the Small Business Digital Grants opens on 11 November 2019.
