Australian businessman Dick Smith has alerted Australian business owners to the possibility of business loan interest rates returning to 27% in a newly released 60-page manifesto on housing affordability. In the document, called “Dick Smith: A Fair Go”, founder of once-dominant tech retailer Dick Smith Electronics also discussed how the credit given in housing loans since 1996 … Read more
Category Archives: Funding & Grants Back
CROC INDUSTRY WORTH MORE THAN $100M TO AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY
CROCODILE farming is big business in Australia’s top end, with the industry contributing over $100 million to the Northern Territory economy. The overall value of the industry in 2014/15 to the tourism, farming, and veterinary sectors was $107 million, and created 264 full-time jobs, according to an Ernst and Young report. These new figures are … Read more
SECURING YOUR SME’S FUTURE THROUGH CAPITAL
The mantra of many successful entrepreneurs is the idea that you must spend money to make money. It is also one of the biggest reasons that some people fail to act on their business aspirations, because they believe that they don’t have the money required to take their business to the next level. I believe … Read more
ASX-listed wearable tech startup Nuheara raises $9 million for its intelligent earphones
Wearable tech startup Nuheara has raised $9 million from institutional investors, just five months after the ASX-listed startup began distributing its intelligent earphones. The patented Nuheara earphone technology allows users to alter sound levels, amplifying conversations and suppressing background noise. It was developed by co-founders Justin Miller, formerly chief executive of global communication company Sensear, … Read more
“Crowdfunding on steroids”: The new ‘initial coin offering’ craze explained
Today initial coin offerings are raising millions of dollars in the blink of an eye, but just 12 months ago, mentioning an ‘ICO’ would have gotten you nothing but blank stares and confused questions. The rise of this new form of crowdfunding can be traced alongside the increased adoption and acceptance of the blockchain and its … Read more
Ignite Ideas Round 3 Opportunity
A third round of Ignite Ideas funding has recently been announced. Through Ignite Ideas, grants of up to $250,000 (excl. GST) are available to help startups and small to medium sized businesses commercialise market ready innovative ideas. The first two rounds of Ignite Ideas have provided nearly $16.5 million to 119 Queensland businesses, helping to enhance innovation, generate jobs and grow Queensland’s global presence. Applications … Read more
Do you have an idea that could change the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children?
Applications are now open for eligible groups and organisations to secure up to $100,000 in seed funding for bold solutions and innovations that will help improve outcomes for vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to reduce their over-representation in out-of-home care. The funding is available under the Empowering Families Innovation Grants program, which forms … Read more
NAB is collaborating with an Israeli crowdfunding platform to offer startup investments
The National Australia Bank private banking division is partnering with Israeli crowdfunding platform, OurCrowd, to offer NAB customers access to OurCrowd startup investments. The bank says it’s an Australian first giving its clients access to one of the world’s largest equity crowdfunding platforms, which entered the local market three years ago. NAB Private executive general … Read more
STEMMING THE BRAIN DRAIN: MEET THE DUO BEHIND THE NEW START-UP HUB FOR INTERNATIONAL TALENT
To stop a leakage of bright, entrepreneurial minds from Australia, chartered accountants Domenic Saporito and Gerard Holland have partnered on a venture that makes it easier for international students and graduates to break into the local start-up ecosystem. Holland has previously worked with middle-market and early-stage companies as a business advisor, while Saporito has a … Read more
Small Business Lending: Is Your Glass Half-Empty or Half-Full?
Optimism is on the rise, but small business owners are cautious about asking for loans. Trying to size up the state of small business lending can prompt the question: Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Banks and government data point to a recovery in small business loans since the recession, with loan figures nearly back … Read more