Boost your business with the Entrepreneurs’ Programme

The Entrepreneurs’ Programme is a Commonwealth Government flagship initiative focused on raising the competitiveness and productivity of eligible companies at an individual level. The Programme forms a part of the Australian Government’s Economic Action Strategy and deploys more than 100 experienced Advisers and Facilitators, offering support to businesses through three key elements:

1. Business Management
   1. Business Growth Services
   2. Supply Chain Facilitation
2. Innovation Connections
3. Accelerating Commercialisation

To run a successful business, it’s not enough to have a great product or service. You also need to understand your challenges and continually identify and leverage growth opportunities to improve your business performance. This is where the Entrepreneurs’ Programme can help.

The Business Management element of the programme provides practical support to help businesses improve and grow through strong, sustainable strategic business management and business capability. The Business Management element offers:

• On-site support from an industry specialist Business Adviser or Business Facilitator who will give you objective insights and recommendations aimed at helping you improve and grow your business.
• Funding through matched grants of up to $20,000 to implement practical activities focused on supporting your business growth.
• Introductions to business networks, access to government services, and specialist assistance for business growth and supply chain projects.

In addition, depending on the results of the Business Evaluation, your company may be:

• Given recommendations and be eligible for funding to improve your business and maximise opportunities.
• Introduced to relevant scientific researchers through Research Connections.
• Given advice and/or financial assistance to rapidly commercialise a new product under Accelerating Commercialisation.

A Growth Services engagement will enable your business to identify and capitalise on growth opportunities more rapidly, easily, and capably, with less risk. The engagement will help your business build the capacity to accelerate growth. At no charge to you, a Business Adviser will:

• Develop a Growth Plan to help you reach your growth opportunity.
• Provide support, advice and mentoring to build the necessary capabilities, culture, strategies and connections for growth.
• Facilitate access to relevant advice, networks and knowledge.
• Help maintain your growth momentum through regular meetings and follow-up.

Supply Chain Facilitation offers your business practical ways to:

• Connect with, and supply existing and new markets.
• Provide you with project opportunities.

At no cost to your business, a skilled Business Adviser or Business Facilitator will work closely with your suppliers and customers to:

• Strengthen your supply chain.
• Improve your ability to access new markets.

Innovation Connections offers:

• Support from experienced Innovation Facilitators to help you assess your technical, research or knowledge requirements. These Innovation Facilitators will provide you with unbiased recommendations to help you develop new ideas with commercial potential.
• Introductions to researchers, technology or knowledge providers to work with you on collaborative projects.
• Matched grants of up to $50,000 to engage a research organisation to undertake research projects in collaboration with your business.
• Introductions to researchers, technology or knowledge providers to work with you on collaborative projects.

Accelerating Commercialisation offers:

• Matched grants of up to $1m to support entrepreneurs on their commercialisation journey.
• Support and guidance from independent Commercialisation Advisers who will help you become investor and market-ready.
• Introductions to influential business contacts and networks including investors, domain experts, entrepreneurs and strategic corporations through the Expert Network. These connections are crucial to help you develop your business, raise smart capital and get into new markets.
• Opportunities to join an exclusive portfolio of high-potential Australian businesses that are marketed to investors and multinational corporations online, through media exposure and invitations to domestic and international networking events.
• Opportunities for potential investors, domain experts and strategic corporations to make connections with innovative, young tech companies.

Every business has different needs. To find out what the Entrepreneurs’ Programme can do for you, phone 13 28 46 or visit www.business.gov.au or contact Greg Chalker 03 9800 3666 gchalker@amtil.com.au