Freedom of Information documents show that women-owned businesses made up just 8.6% of grants awarded under Australia’s Industry Growth Program between July 2024 and December 2025, highlighting ongoing challenges in gender representation within the startup funding landscape.
- Women-owned businesses were 20% of applicants but got only 8.6% of grants
- Women-led businesses received roughly 10.6% of grants approved by end-2025
- The program paused new grant approvals in May 2026 amid continued advisory support
What happened
Freedom of Information records obtained from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources reveal key insights into the gender breakdown of successful grant applications within the Industry Growth Program. In the 18 months spanning July 2024 to December 2025, women-owned businesses accounted for 375 out of 1,876 applications, about 20% of all submissions. Yet, only nine of these businesses were granted funding during that period, representing roughly 8.6% of the total 104 grants awarded.
Why it matters
These figures underscore persistent challenges in achieving gender equity within Australia’s startup funding ecosystem, even in government-backed initiatives targeting commercialisation and growth. Women founders remain underrepresented among grant recipients, which could hinder broader efforts to diversify innovation leadership and economic participation across priority sectors such as technology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.
While the Industry Growth Program does not impose specific eligibility preferences based on demographics, the disparity in successful funding outcomes raises important questions about structural barriers or disparities within the startup environment that may impact women founders’ access to growth capital. Recognising and addressing these gaps is crucial to fostering a more inclusive and competitive innovation landscape.
What to watch next
Additionally, the continuation of advisory services for current participants suggests ongoing support, yet fresh grant opportunities remain on hold. Observers may look for signals of renewed grant rounds or new initiatives to address underrepresentation within the coming budget cycles or policy updates. The outcomes of these developments could set precedents for gender equity practices in Australia’s wider startup funding frameworks.