Local business owners at a Business Boost Ideas Hackathon.
More than 30 business ideas have received seed funding for business growth and development activities through Bega Valley Shire Council’s Business Boost Ideas program.
Council’s Economic Development Officer, Peter Wild said Business Boost Ideas is about business recovery and resilience to support our local economy and create sustainable jobs.
“We knew there were businesses and community organisations in the shire with great ideas that just need a financial kick-start and specialist attention,” Mr Wild said.
“Earlier this year, people from across the shire answered the call for business ideas that would give the shire an economic boost.
“More than 50 people attended our Business Boost Ideas Hackathons, and the quality and diversity of ideas was excellent.
“We then visited seven towns across the shire to stimulate business recovery ideas and the results surpassed our expectations.
“The successful businesses have used their seed funding for business planning, digital activities (website, social media), accounting and legal expenses, brand and marketing, and research and development.”
Mr Wild said over the next few months, many of these business boost ideas will flourish into Bega Valley businesses, adding to the resilience of the region.
“These include wedding promotions, innovative sprouting kits, specialised websites for apprenticeships, elder care mediation and sustainable long lunches from the farm to the table.”
Successful applicant, Cat Coathup from Bush Kin said the Business Boost workshops and seed funding has helped her to become set-up ready for markets and events as well as being able to produce a range of new designs for an ever-changing customer demographic.
“Without this assistance, the opportunity to attend a major two-day market with a national reach recently would have gone begging,” Ms Coathup said.
“Attending this event has helped cement my business in a competitive market. I’m grateful for the chance to really elevate my business and move one step closer to full onsite production.”
Jess O’Donnell from Moments Like These Ceremonies said she was grateful to be a part of the program.
“I’ve been able to rebrand my website and I’m now going full speed ahead with promoting weddings on the Sapphire Coast,” Ms O’Donnell said.
The Business Boost Ideas hackathons and workshops were facilitated by GrowGetters’ Tiffany Hart, a Bega Valley-born tech entrepreneur and her team.
Business Boost Ideas is funded under the NSW Government’s Bushfire Community Resilience and Recovery Fund.
BUSINESS BOOST IDEAS SEED FUNDED PROJECTS
