Over $1 million pledged to Australian women-led businesses at Sister Pitch 2024

Twelve Australian women-led businesses have secured more than $1 million in financial and strategic backing from Sister Pitch.

The event, organised by Global Sisters in partnership with Dentsu Australia, connected diverse founders of emerging businesses with investors and business leaders eager to provide both funding and critical resources like mentorship, industry connections and strategic advice to help scale their ventures.

Support and funding came from businesses such as Afterpay, Meta, MECCA, The Iconic, Bunnings, American Express, KPMG and AMP.

Global Sisters is a not-for-profit founded by Mandy Richards in 2016. It focuses on supporting women who are often excluded from traditional business pathways.

Through business coaching, micro-loans and its support network, the organisation aims to equip women with the skills and resources they need to build sustainable businesses.

Its “Sister Tribe” initiative fosters an ongoing community that allows women to continue benefiting from peer and mentor support even after they’ve launched their ventures.

Back in 2023 Global Sisters received a US$500,000 ($736,579) grant from Google.org, the tech giant’s charitable arm, to launch a pilot program to help women with disabilities and their carers attain economic independence.

“While traditional employment gets much of the focus, micro-businesses provide critical flexibility for women and represent the majority of businesses in Australia,” Richards said about the event.

“Business has the power to change the world – through how it operates and the impact it chooses to have every day. This year, proactive companies have stepped up, using their strengths to create real change by engaging with emerging women-led micro businesses. This not only supports these entrepreneurs but also helps companies engage their teams and customers and source unique and specialist products and services and meet their ESG goals.”

Some of the standout businesses of the 2024 Sister Pitch include:

GTAB PARFUM: Multidisciplinary artist Ginan secured $15,000 to launch her frequency healing perfume brand, alongside support for brand development and collaborations with other wellness brands.

Soni Health: Australia’s first pharmacist-formulated bioactive blends, received $25,000 to ramp up its R&D and TGA certification. It is also planning on introductions to potential key stockists.

Chocolate On Purpose: An Indigenous-owned business that combines couverture chocolate with native botanicals. It received funding for a brand refresh and to develop an Indigenous-tasting agri-tourism space.

The event underscores a recurring theme raised by women entrepreneurs and startup founders: women founders need more than money.

While financial backing is crucial, many highlight that resources, contacts, and networking opportunities are just as imperative to seeing more women-led businesses thrive.

Support systems that offer access to key industry players, mentoring and strategic partnerships are essential in breaking down the barriers that continue to limit women’s success in the business world.

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