SA Gov Launches Second Round of Fearless Innovator Grant to Support Women-Led Startups

• The South Australian Government has opened the second round of the Fearless Innovator Grant Program
• The program is intended to assist women entrepreneurs in to grow their start-ups into international markets

The South Australian Government has released the second round of the Fearless Innovator Grant Program, a program with the objective to inspire more women businesses women across the state to expand their start-ups internationally. The project, designed to break the gap in early-stage investment in women's business, is promoted by partnering with Women in Innovation (WINN) and the Fearless Females Network (FFN).

The funding scheme provides two options for the winners. The Scale-Up Grant provides a winner with $60,000 to finance business establishment and develop international sales. In addition to this, two Accelerate Grants of $20,000 are provided for start-ups at an early stage to accelerate growth and establish a solid market presence. A further $20,000 merit grant provided by Westpac completes the remaining funding offered in 2025 to $120,000.

Besides extending this initiative, the SA Government will double-fund to $50,000, supporting further investment and leveraging funds available for women rising founders. Instituted in 2024 following the stark underrepresentation of women in venture capital—the subject of the State of Australian Startup Funding report that found only a meager 2 percent of VC investment is directed at female founders—the grant is part of a broader suite of policies promoting innovation and diversity in South Australia.

The Fearless Innovator Grant supports the $$4 million Women in Business program, which has assisted more than 3,600 women in developing their skills and businesses, and complementing the $$14 million SA Small Business Strategy that will drive the state's economic success through entrepreneurial development. Applications for the 2025 round are now open until 11:59 pm ACST on Sunday, June 8. There will be a ceremony to celebrate the successful applicants in September.

Emphasizing the significance of the scheme, Minister for Education Susan Close said, "Making barriers fall for women in the startup community isn't just an issue of equity—it's a method of advancing our state's future prosperity by unlocking more diversified national and international markets." She had called the grants an actual investment in South Australian women and a move towards building a diversified and inclusive business community.

Andrea Michaels also supported the initiative, deeming it "a great opportunity" for women to obtain early-stage funding, citing the success of the winners of the 2024 award, who have continued to grow their businesses, add new employees, and open new markets.

Last year's winner, Deborah Faehrmann, founder of Healthy Heads, described the life-changing effect of the grant. "Winning the 2024 Fearless Innovator Grant transformed everything—new products, international collaborations, interest from investors, and brand visibility followed. It's been a turning point for my business and my confidence," she said.