Small Business Start-up Grants - Apply Now

The Whitsunday Small Business Start-Up Program is a council-administered business grant fund targeting start-up business opportunities in the Whitsunday region.

It is a competitive and merit-based grant program that aims to attract entrepreneurs to undertake start-up business activities in the Whitsundays.

Successful applicants have the opportunity to receive monetary funding of up to $10,000 (matched 50:50 by the applicant) for business-related activities in a start-up new business.

Council will ensure the successful applicants will align with our identified regional economic opportunities and will not compete with existing business.

The program aims to benefit the Whitsunday Region by:

• Increasing employment;
• Attracting new investment;
• Increasing local supply and/or manufacturing supply chains (i.e. local import replacement, local procurement);
• Establishing new trade opportunities (local, inter-regional and/or overseas);
• Value adding to the existing Whitsunday region; and
• Providing circular economy benefits.

To find out if your start-up is eligible download the Program Guidelines here.

You can also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to assist you before applying.

Apply Now!

You can submit your application by completing the Online Application form below

OR

To complete a hardcopy paper application, please download the Application Form (Word document) and submit via the Upload Hardcopy Application tab below

Important Dates:

Applications Open: 10 October 2019

Applications Close: 14 November 2019

Notice of Application Outcome: by January 2020

This program forms part of a wider strategy for economic prosperity in the Whitsunday region. Council have developed this initiative as a direct response to Action Item 5.2 of the Whitsunday Region Economic Development Strategy 2017-2022.

For more information on starting your business, download the Starting Your Business Checklist here