Women in Business program launched with $4m funding

Female entrepreneurs will be offered access to business skills, innovation and leadership programs as part of a new major initiative to tackle obstacles facing Australian businesswomen.

Female entrepreneurs and businesswomen across the state will be offered access to business skills, innovation and leadership programs as part of a $4m initiative backed by the state government.

The state government has partnered with female networking and leadership group Behind Closed Doors, Adelaide Business Hub and Port Adelaide Football Club to launch the Women in Business program, which will be delivered over the next four years.

A Women in Business Foundations program will help women develop the financial, marketing and planning skills needed during the early stages of business set-up, while the Women in Business Advisory program will help women leading high growth businesses to deliver effective governance and strategic planning within their businesses.

Through its HERstory: Business Collective Program and coinciding with the debut of its inaugural women’s team, Port Adelaide Football Club will help promote the advisory and foundations programs.

Donny Walford, founder of Behind Closed Door. Photo: Nick Clayton

Small and Family Business Minister Andrea Michaels said the program was designed to increase female representation in the state’s business sector and to tackle obstacles facing female entrepreneurs and businesswomen.

“I am personally passionate about supporting small and family business – especially when it comes to creating opportunities for more women to start and grow their businesses,” she said.

“As a woman who grew up within a family business, and was running my own small business until just recently, I’m acutely aware of the specific barriers that face women in business.

“These barriers include unequal access to capital, networks, and upskilling opportunities, as well as the well-documented juggle between work and caring responsibilities.”

Ms Michaels said a recent survey of small businesses found 38 per cent of female respondents still experienced barriers including gender bias, sexism and a lack of upskilling opportunities.

Applications are currently open for the Women in Business Advisory program which will involve a series of face-to-face and online coaching and mentoring sessions.

The state government will cover half of the program fees for 38 scholarship recipients.

Behind Closed Doors managing director Donny Walford said many female entrepreneurs continued to face challenges, including in raising the capital needed to grow their businesses.

“We will deliver our blended model with face-to-face and online program options to advise, provide feedback, keep entrepreneurs accountable as well as help them develop their leadership capabilities and achieve their growth plans,” she said.

“This is designed to support female entrepreneurs to broaden their networks nationally and be encouraged to establish both business partnerships and advisory boards.”