Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the 53 grant recipients will share in $250,000 in grants for training, vital equipment, and professional services to help them grow.

“Brisbane businesses have always been innovative and dynamic and our Council is committed to helping them grow and succeed,” Cr Schrinner said.

“We’ve seen a recent surge in women launching their own businesses, with more than half of this year’s recipients having a business less than six years old.

“Now in its third year, our Women in Business Grants have supported more than 150 Brisbane businesses, helping them create jobs, build networks and improve growth.

“Our Council is committed to continuing these grants and helping even more Brisbane women achieve their goals.”

Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said the grants provide critical funding to one of Brisbane’s fastest growing business sectors.

“Women account for more than a third of business ownership in Brisbane, transforming our city through innovation, creativity and new ways of thinking across various sectors,” Cr Adams said.

“The winners of the grants will receive up to $5,000 to dedicate towards any aspect of their business that may need a little extra support.”

The winning businesses include 10 organisations offering healthcare services, eight education focused businesses and 15 professional service providers.

One of this year’s recipients, Clare Kennedy, is bringing sustainability and education to the construction sector through her architecture, interiors and furniture studio, Five Mile Radius.

Her team of three reuse construction waste materials to design and develop bespoke interior products and architectural installations, operating from a materials workshop in Yeronga and a showroom and studio in Highgate Hill.

Five Mile Radius plans to use the grant money for business consulting and coaching as it takes on larger and more complex projects, including repurposing the construction waste from the dismantlement of Eagle Street Pier to develop furniture for Brisbane’s Dexus Waterfront development.

“After working in the architecture industry for some time, I saw an opportunity to explore material sustainability in a way that inspires and educates others on using and reusing local resources and materials,” Ms Kennedy said.

“This vision leads every part of our business, down to our business name, which was inspired by the philosophy of regionalism where building materials are sourced within a five-mile radius of the building site.

“We’re a small team, but we have big ambitions, and the recognition and support from the Women in Business Grant will be a significant driver in moving us forward as a business.”

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that the number of female business owners in Brisbane is growing with women accounting for 36 per cent of business ownership in the most recent census, up from 34 per cent in 2016. 

Women are also leading across the country in new business ownership, with the number female owner-managers increasing by 21.1 percent in the decade to May 2023, according to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

The Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant is a grant with a difference.

Beyond financial support, all recipients will benefit from a 12-month development program, delivered by the Brisbane Business Hub and supported by Commonwealth Bank of Australia, presenting partner of the 2023 Women in Business Grant and program, to help boost leadership skills and make vital connections within the community.

For more information on the Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant program, and a list of this year’s recipients click here.