Let’s be honest—starting and scaling a business as a female founder isn’t always a walk in the park. You’ve got the vision, the grit, and the game-changing idea. But when it comes to securing the investment you need to grow, the roadblocks can feel endless. Sound familiar?
Here’s the good news: The Female Founders Co-Investment Fund in Queensland is here to help you break through those barriers and secure the capital you need to scale your business.
And if you think funding like this will always be available, think again. This is an opportunity that won’t stick around forever, and missing out could mean watching your competitors soar while you struggle to keep pace.
Why Female Founders Struggle to Secure Investment
You’ve probably heard the stats. Female-led businesses receive only a fraction of the venture capital funding that male-led businesses do. And yet, when women get funding, they tend to generate better returns. It’s not a lack of potential; it’s a lack of access.
Investment rounds can be daunting, and let’s face it—raising capital is often a full-time job in itself. If you’re spending all your time trying to convince investors to back you, who’s running your business? That’s why government-backed support like the Female Founders Co-Investment Fund exists—to help level the playing field.
What’s in It for You?
The Female Founders Co-Investment Fund is designed to help female-led businesses in Queensland secure the early-stage investment they need to grow. Here’s what’s on the table:
- Between $50,000 and $200,000 in funding to help scale your business.
- A 3:1 co-investment ratio, meaning you’ll get $1 in grant funding for every $3 of secured private investment.
- Access to a broader network of investors and resources that can accelerate your growth.
However, applications will remain open only until all funds have been allocated. In other words, the clock is ticking.
Are You Eligible?
Before you get too excited, let’s make sure you check the right boxes. To qualify, your business must:
- Be headquartered in Queensland (your main operations and head office must be based in QLD).
- Be majority female-owned (at least 51% of shares held by a woman/women for at least six months prior to applying).
- Have at least one woman in a key decision-making role (such as CEO, COO, or CTO) for at least six months before applying.
- Employ no more than 50 full-time-equivalent employees.
- Not have raised more than $500,000 in previous capital rounds.
And here’s a crucial one—you need to be engaging in, or planning to engage in, an early-stage capital raise. If you’re not actively looking for investors, this fund isn’t for you.
How You Can Use the Grant Money
The grant isn’t just free cash to pad your business account. It’s meant to fuel real growth. That means the funding can go towards:
- Hiring staff to scale operations.
- Marketing and promotion to reach new customers.
- Expanding to new markets (both local and international).
- Increasing production or service delivery.
- Bringing in professional expertise (like legal, financial, or strategic consulting to help you grow smarter, not harder).
But before you start dreaming up ways to use the money, know this: funds must be spent in Queensland or through QLD-based suppliers whenever possible. That’s part of the deal.
What the Grant Won’t Cover
While this funding can give your business a serious boost, there are some things it won’t pay for. You can’t use it for the following:
- Regulatory approval costs (e.g., FDA, TGA approvals).
- Building or infrastructure projects.
- Employee bonuses, fringe benefits, or ongoing compliance fees.
- General business expenses like rent, utilities, insurance, or software.
Why This Matters And Why You Need to Act Now
Let’s be real—how many opportunities like this come along? If you’re a female founder in QLD with a scalable, innovative business, this fund could be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.
Think about where your business could be in a year. Are you thriving, expanding, and leading the way in your industry? Or are you still stuck trying to scrape together funding while your competitors move ahead?
The Female Founders Co-Investment Fund won’t be around forever. If you meet the criteria and have plans to raise capital, this is your moment. Don’t let it slip away.
Ready to Apply?
If you think your business fits the bill, it’s time to take action. Check out the full eligibility requirements and application process and start preparing your pitch. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of securing the funding that could take your business to the next level.
Your future investors are watching. The Queensland Government is backing you. The only question left is—will you take the next step?
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