NATIONAL: Government body Ausindustry has put out a call for submissions to the latest batch of TCF Small Business funding.
Announced on December 8 2008 by Minister Kim Carr, round four of the program – comprising $2.5m and offering individual grants of up to $50,000 per project - closes on February 27 at 5.00pm.
Applicants must have fewer than 20 employees and be undertaking eligible textile, clothing and footwear activities such as manufacturing or designing and manufacturing in Australia. The program is designed to encourage projects aimed at business transformation and based on the values of entrepreneurship.
Previous funding rounds have assisted labels including punk glam brand Davis Eyes – who utilised the money to develop an online store - and womenswear label Anna Thomas for the implementation of an in house pattern making system. Ginger & Smart and Cohen et Sabine have used the grant for business re-engineering, while Daniel Avakian used it for the implementation of an on-line business management system and Vixen Australia used it to digitise its design and sampling processes.
To smooth the round four application process, Ausindustry is conducting a series of workshops throughout February, designed to enable applicants to make their entries more competitive.
For more information, phone the Ausindustry hotline on 13 28 46, email or visit ausindustry.gov.au. To register online for workshops visit ausindustry.gov.au.