A new initiative is aiming to support and spotlight the next wave of women entrepreneurs in Australia. The Future Female Founders Program, launched by fashion and lifestyle brand Showpo, is a not-for-profit educational campaign focused on discovering and mentoring female university and college students with ambitions in business and eCommerce.
Program Benefits:
- A $5,000 AUD grant to help fund and launch the business idea.
- An immersive internship at Showpo HQ in Sydney.
- Mentorship from Jane Lu, Showpo’s CEO and a judge on Shark Tank Australia, along with senior eCommerce leaders.
- Hands-on experience with various teams such as Product, Marketing, Digital, People & Culture, and Logistics.
- Networking opportunities with other aspiring entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
The program offers a unique mix of funding, mentorship, and real-world experience. In addition, the winner will participate in an immersive internship at Showpo’s Sydney headquarters, working directly with cross-functional teams in areas like Product, Marketing, Logistics, and People & Culture.
Students will also benefit from one-on-one mentorship with senior leaders in the company, gaining direct access to insights on building and scaling an online brand, navigating digital marketing, product development, and team leadership, all crucial components for any startup founder.
Applications for the Future Female Founders Program opened on Monday, 28 April and will close on Sunday, 11 May. The winner will be announced on Sunday, 25 May, and the program will officially run from Monday, 23 June to Friday, 20 July.
Applicants must be currently enrolled in a university or college in Australia and will need to submit a resume, cover letter, and a brief business proposal outlining their idea and how they plan to use the grant.
Full application details and submission forms are available on Showpo’s website: https://www.showpo.com/future-founders-program.
What sets this initiative apart is its strong focus on experience and access. Rather than only awarding a grant, the program bridges the gap between theory and practice. Participants will gain first-hand exposure to what it takes to succeed in a high-growth business environment.
The program comes at a time when support for women-led startups is more important than ever. According to various reports, women continue to face significant barriers in accessing startup capital and business networks.
The full timeline for the program is as follows:
- Applications Open: Monday, 28 April
- Applications Close: Sunday, 11 May
- Winner Announced: Sunday, 25 May
- Program Duration: Monday, 23 June – Friday, 20 July
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