Accelerator for Enterprising Women Kickstarter Challenge

The Kickstarter Challenge is a competition designed to empower female entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas. This initiative provides a platform for aspiring female founders to showcase their ideas, receive mentorship, and compete for equity-free funding.

🌟 About the Challenge

The Accelerator for Enterprising Women Kickstarter Challenge invites female entrepreneurs to submit their business ideas across five categories. An expert panel of judges will evaluate the submissions, selecting five finalists who will pitch their ventures at the National Grand Final in Canberra.

Key Details:

• Date Published: July 05, 2025
• Application Deadline: October 01, 2025
• Opportunity Location: Australia
• Eligible Locations: Australia
• Sponsor Organisation: Accelerator for Enterprising Women

Categories:

1. Health, Wellbeing, and The Care Economy: Solutions to address health and wellbeing challenges in Australia.
2. Environment and Sustainability: Sustainable solutions to protect the environment or combat climate change.
3. Community Impact: Innovative ideas that empower or provide value to communities.
4. Technology: Emerging technologies that support Australia's economic prosperity, national security, or social cohesion.
5. Education: Solutions that enhance teaching, learning, or educational outcomes in Australia.

One finalist will be selected for each category.

🎁 Benefits

The total prize pool is $60,000 AUD in equity-free funding, distributed as follows:

• Winner: $30,000 AUD
• Each Finalist: $7,500 AUD

Additional Benefits:

• Attendance at the Kickstarter Challenge National Grand Final in Canberra.
• Travel and Accommodation:
  • One return flight to Canberra (if residing outside ACT).
  • Accommodation for the duration of the Grand Final.
• Support and Mentorship:
  • Media and PR training.
  • Social media support leading up to the Grand Final.
  • Presentation support from professional graphic designers.
  • Mentorship opportunities.
  • Networking with key decision-makers to develop business ideas.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To participate, applicants must:

• Provide accurate contact details.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Identify as female.
• Reside in Australia.
• Represent a female-founded startup with majority ownership and leadership held by women.
• Have a registered business with a primary place of business in Australia.
• Hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Have commenced trading on or after January 1, 2023, if applicable.
• Generate less than $75,000 AUD in revenue in the last 12 months.
• Maintain a business banking account or be willing to establish one if selected as a finalist.

Additional Requirements:

• Proof of trading, commencement date, and revenue may be requested (e.g., tax statements, web domain registration certificates, ASIC records).
• Business structure, ownership, and investment structure may also be considered.

🏆 Selection Criteria

Entries will be evaluated based on:

• Clarity of vision.
• Relevance of the idea to the chosen category.
• Strength of the unique selling point.
• Understanding of the target market.
• Financial viability of the idea.
• Awareness of competitors.
• Strategic marketing approach.
• Potential for growth and scalability.
• Overall submission quality (presentation, branding, and pitch video).

📅 Application Process

• Application Deadline: October 01, 2025
• How to Apply: Apply Now

For more details, visit the Accelerator for Enterprising Women Kickstarter Challenge.

This challenge is more than a competition—it's a launchpad for entrepreneurial dreams. Don't miss this opportunity to bring your business idea to life!

• Total value of the equity-free cash prize money is $60,000 AUD shared amongst the Competition Finalists:
  • Winner will receive $30,000 AUD
  • Each finalist will receive $7,500 AUD
• Recipients must attend the Kickstarter Challenge National Grand Final event held in Canberra
• Recipients will receive:
  • One (1) return flight to the Grand Final in Canberra (if they reside outside the ACT)
  • Accommodation for the duration of the Grand Final
  • Media and PR training and social media support in the lead-up to the Grand Final
  • Grand Final presentation support from professional graphic designers
  • Mentorship opportunities
  • A chance to meet key decision-makers to help develop their business idea