Five non-for-profit organisations have received a share of $1 million in grant funding from the NSW government to provide opportunities for women to start or develop their small business.
Rural Woman Cooperative, Women Veterans Australia, People with Disability Australia, Strong Spirit Services and Carers NSW have each received funding through the NSW Supporting Women in Business program. The funding will go towards targeted projects tailored towards their focus communities of women.
“We know men outnumber women as business owners in New South Wales. With this program, we hope to help level the playing field and equip women with more of the tools they need to successfully run their own business,” NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said on Thursday.
“Perhaps they’ve had an idea and with the right education and support, can turn their idea into a dream business. These programs can be accessed by women from communities right across the state and gives them the opportunity and skills to build or expand an existing business.”
With the funding, the Rural Woman Cooperative will run a program called ‘Thriving Together: Business Success and Financial Empowerment for Rural Women’ to provide business training, mentoring and networking opportunities for women in regional, rural and remote areas.
“We’re connecting rural women across NSW with the tools, training and networks they need to thrive in business — because when rural women rise, entire communities benefit,” the organisation’s chair, Rebel Black, said.
“This program is about putting tools in their hands, wisdom in their minds, and value in their hearts. We believe rural women thrive when they’re connected, resourced, and seen — and that’s what this funding will help us deliver.
“We want to see more rural women starting and growing businesses that matter to them and their communities. We want them to feel connected, capable, and financially secure — not just in their business, but in their wellbeing. This is about unlocking leadership, reducing barriers, and building long-term economic participation.”
Women Veterans Australia will use the grant funding for its business coaching program, The Phoenix Entrepreneur. The program is an eight-week accelerator program for female veterans.
“Our groundbreaking Phoenix Entrepreneur Program is the first of its kind in NSW, aimed to provide career guidance and skill development designed exclusively to support women veterans who often face invisible challenges transitioning from military to civilian life,” Llani Kennealy said.
“We are fostering visibility, leadership, and long-term contribution. This program enables women veterans to reimagine their post-service identities, not as a continuation of being underserved, but as empowered entrepreneurs driving impact in their families, communities, and industries.”
People with Disability’s funding will go towards a small business program designed to connect women with disabilities to mentoring, training and networks.
Strong Spirit Services’ project, the ‘Empower Her Journey Program’, is aimed at supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to start and develop businesses. There is a focus on mentoring, workshops and accelerator programs that support business fundamentals, financial management, marketing and grant writing.
Carers NSW’s project is an initiative that aims to connect women carers with small businesses – including carers looking to start a business, to a range of one-on-one support and resources.