Realise Business Awarded ASBAS Digital Solutions Grant to Help Small Businesses Upgrade Their Digital Presence
Realise Business, a leading non-profit organisation that offers business advisory services, is excited to announce that it will be leading a consortium that has been awarded the Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) Digital Solutions Grant. The grant is part the Australian Government’s pledge of investing $18.6 million over four years, with $6.51 million being invested into NSW and the ACT. The funding is aimed at providing affordable and accessible advice to small businesses looking to upgrade their digital presence.
Under the program, small business owners in NSW and the ACT will have access to specialist advisors who can help fast-track their online capability. Realise Business will lead a consortium of five providers across NSW and the ACT, with an innovative model addressing the needs of small businesses including multi-cultural groups, women led businesses, and the indigenous business enterprises.
Realise Business Chair, Katrina Hodgkinson, expressed her enthusiasm at being awarded the grant and is looking forward to her team taking on the leadership of the program.
“As a team, we are looking forward to realising our mission of supporting our clients, small business owners, to discover new ways to energise and grow their businesses, network, and the small business community.
“With a strong legacy and being a not-for-profit organisation, our team of expert business advisors and coaches are well equipped to be taking this program through its next iteration,” said Ms Hodgkinson.
The ASBAS Digital Solutions Grant program is designed to help small businesses navigate the digital landscape by providing tailored support to improve their online presence. Services will include assessment of small businesses’ digital needs, tailored digital action plans and advisory support to one or more of the priority digital capabilities: introduction to digitalising your business, websites and selling online, social media and digital marketing, using small business software, online security and data privacy.
Specialist advisors will be available in various ways, including face-to-face and online meetings, and interactive workshops and webinars from April onwards.
“With consumer behaviour and the online world constantly evolving, it is great that the government is investing in supporting small business owners to navigate not only the current economic climate but also to remain ahead of trends in the digital space,” Ms Hodgkinson added.
The other four consortium partners include: The Business Centre in Newcastle, THE Rural Women, the Community Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC) and the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC).
Realise Business is committed to helping small businesses stay ahead of the curve and thrive in a digital world.
If you are a business in NSW or ACT and would like to register your interest in the program please complete the form on realise.business/digital-solutions
MORE INFORMATION ON THE CONSORTIUM DELIVERY PARTNERS
Realise Business
Realise Business is social enterprise, empowering small business owners to discover new ways to energise and grow their businesses, network, and the small business community. As experts in small business, we believe that successful small businesses are at the heart of a sustainable and healthy economy and community. With over 30 years of experience and a team of over 20 expert business coaches and advisors, we deliver tailored and confidential business advice and event program to businesses across Sydney and the ACT. For more information: https://realise.business/
The Business Centre
The Business Centre is a community invested organisation that has been responding to the needs of entrepreneurs, businesses and governments for more than 36 years. We are a not-for-profit with the sole purpose of creating sustainability; in jobs, businesses, urban and rural economies. Based in Newcastle, they will service the state in areas north of Sydney out to New England. For more information: https://www.businesscentre.com.au/
THE Rural Women
A visionary co-op enabling connection of rural women and assisting them to improve their wellbeing, agency and/or financial security, through education, training, networking and financial opportunities. For more information: https://theruralwoman.com/
Community Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC)
CMRC is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation established in 1996. CMRC is a leader in the provision of specialised support services to newly arrived migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants. CMRC works within a community capacity building framework to encourage individuals and multicultural communities to identify and address their own issues. For more information: https://cmrc.com.au/
NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce
The NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Inc (NSWICC) is the Peak body for Aboriginal Business in NSW and a powerful voice for the needs of Aboriginal Entrepreneurs, Business owners and Enterprising Communities. Our Vision is for a State that embraces its rich Aboriginal History and Culture; And values Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Enterprise as an important pillar in a strong New South Wales Economy. For more information: https://nswicc.com.au/
