Home topics news via pexels News News $100k in funding and a new app: Chinatown’s small businesses are back in focus Yajush Gupta February 23, 2026 Melbourne’s Chinatown businesses are getting a new digital platform, a custom app, and a business awards ceremony, backed by $100,000 in Victorian Government funding. What’s happening : The Victorian Government has announced $100,000 in funding for the Melbourne Chinatown Business Association to develop a website and app promoting local businesses in the precinct. Why this matters : The funding puts a tangible asset, a dedicated app and platform, directly in the hands of traders to help convert interest into visits. Melbourne’s Chinatown has long been one of the city’s most recognisable small business precincts. It hosts one of Australia’s most attended Lunar New Year celebrations, drawing more than 200,000 people to its annual festival of street performances, food stalls, lion and dragon dancing, and cultural events. But for the traders who operate there year-round, visibility beyond the festival period is the ongoing challenge. A $100,000 grant from the Victorian Government, announced by Minister for Small Business and Employment Natalie Suleyman, is aimed directly at that gap. Digital tools for local traders The funding will be provided to the Melbourne Chinatown Business Association, which will use it to build a dedicated website and mobile app for the precinct. The platform will include business profiles, interactive maps, event information, and exclusive promotions, giving both locals and visitors a direct way to discover and engage with traders