Grants, funding and programs

Access government and private assistance

Find opportunities from government and the private sector that will help raise capital, build capabilities, invest in innovation and more. These opportunities are delivered to help support your business growth and advance industries.

What to find

Grants and funding

Sunshine Coast Council Funding Finder

The Sunshine Coast Council’s Funding Finder allows businesses and community organisations to search grant and funding opportunities. Grow your business by finding federal, state and local government grants, loans and subsidies. Businesses can also find opportunities from commercial funders and private philanthropic organisations.

Search keywords relating to your business to discover the opportunities available. Find your funding here.

Small business grants

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) provides grants and programs for small businesses through several initiatives.

Queensland Government Grants Finder

Find grants and assistance programs from the Queensland Government here.

Grant writing support

Business Queensland provides insightful and practical information on preparing and writing grant applications. Learn how to:

  • write a grant application
  • build a strong case
  • get your budget right
  • review your application.

Grants and programs finder

Use this easy tool to find Australian government grants, funding and support programs relevant to your business. Answer a quick series of questions to help identify what opportunities are available.

Find out more here.

SunCoast Angels

Seek seed and startup capital through SunCoast Angel investors who invest in high growth ventures. They seek entrepreneurial ventures that:

  • are located on the Sunshine Coast
  • are seeking $50,000 or more in funding
  • can demonstrate a sustainable competitive advantage
  • are a high growth business
  • have an easily scalable business model
  • address a compelling market need and/or demand
  • have a coachable management team
  • can demonstrate the ability to deliver a return on investment seven times greater over five to seven years.

Find out more here.

Programs

Advance Queensland

Drive innovation in your business or startup through programs found through Advance Queensland. $755 million of funding is supporting start-ups, entrepreneurs and small businesses through programs, funding and grants.

Find out more here.

Ignite Program

Advance Queensland’s Ignite Program supports small and medium size businesses in fast tracking products and preparing for commercialisation. Funding and business mentoring is provided to businesses on different steps of the innovation journey. Find out more here.

Ignite Spark

Businesses can apply for up to $75,000 to prepare prototypes for global markets. The program drives innovation by accelerating products and services to advance stages in the market preparedness process. Business mentoring is provided for this stage of the development journey. Find out more here.

Ignite Ideas

Businesses can apply for up to $75,000 to prepare prototypes for global markets. The program drives innovation by accelerating products and services to advance stages in the market preparedness process. Business mentoring is provided for this stage of the development journey. Find out more here.

Business tools and services

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) delivers tools, programs and services to businesses in the state. Support provided includes sustainability in business, HR services and more.

  • Practical webinars: Find webinars on topics such as capturing your carbon footprint, new family and domestic violence leave, industrial relations reform and more.
  • Workforce support: Find a suite of resources and helplines for workforce support including fair work and workforce advice, workers’ compensation, staff training and more.
  • Mental health support: Access wellness coaches who can support you and staff family members. They can also direct you to specialist service providers that help with a range of wellbeing areas.
  • Safe work environment training: Learn how to prevent bullying, discrimination and victimisation in your workplace through this specialised course.
  • Webinars and events: Stay updated on upcoming CCIQ webinar and events.

Creative Investment Program

Creative Investment Program is jointly funded through the Sunshine Coast Arts and Heritage Levy and the Sunshine Coast Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). The program provides up to three years of funding to organisations and groups for established arts and cultural initiatives that support the strategic development of the local arts ecology and deliver significant cultural benefit to the Sunshine Coast Region.

Find out more here.

Creative business incubator

The Refinery is a business incubator that transforms creative ideas into sustainable businesses. The 15-week program is designed for independent artists, entrepreneurs and creative industry practitioners. On top of programming, the Refinery connects participants with industry experienced mentors and creative networks on the Sunshine Coast.

Find out more here.

Entrepreneurs' Programme

Accelerate your business idea or product through advice and funding provided by the Australian Government delivered Entrepreneurs’ Programme. Get matched with a facilitator who will help you develop your prototype into a commercial product or service.

Find out more here.

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Sustainability in business