Springboard Enterprises Australia’s (SBE) latest program round – Empower, Evolve, Escalate or E3 - is now open for applications. The program is designed to help develop the next generation of early-stage, female startup founders or leaders from a broad range of activities, including the life sciences and engineering.
This year the program has been expanded to be available nationally via courses in Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Melbourne and Perth.
“Since 2012, SBE Australia has been doing a great job assisting women-led companies to grow and scale their business and I would encourage those women-led or founded AusBiotech member organisations to consider applying for the E3 program,” said AusBiotech’s incoming CEO, Lorraine Chiroiu.
“This program provides proven support for women entering the startup field and fosters improved diversity that will undoubtedly be beneficial to the biotech industry in general.”
Australian startups contribute approximately $164 billion to the Australian economy but startups by female founders only account for about 17% of the total.
The E3 program began last year as an eight-week educational workshop to equip female founders with the skills and confidence they need to create a business that can attract investors. It is designed as a precursor to the SBE Australia Springboard Enterprise Accelerator Program, which is the only global female-focused startup accelerator that does not take an equity stake. The Springboard program has been running for more than five years and seen 45 women raise over $200 million for their businesses.
The Chair of SBE Australia, Kerri Lee Sinclair said: “We’re excited to see the significant increase in female entrepreneurs across a broad range of sectors, which is why we have extended our E3 Program to provide guidance to any women establishing businesses in traditionally male-dominated environments.”
Early bird registration for the course is now open and if you apply prior to 25 June there is a 20% discount on the course fee. Further details can be found online.