BankSA Making A Difference To New Business - $10,0000 grant launched

BankSA understands the challenges of starting a new business and is giving entrepreneurs the chance to jump start their venture with a $10,000 cash grant.

The BankSA Jump Start Your Start Up initiative is open to new businesses in South Australia and the Northern Territory and aims to reward and support enterprise and initiative with a cash grant, advice and support.

Whether the business is new, or yet to get off the ground, applicants could be eligible for a $10,000 BankSA cash injection.

BankSA Managing Director Jane Kittel announced Jump Start Your Start up to complement the opening of Hub Adelaide this evening.

BankSA is a founding member of Hub Adelaide and will support its activities through workforce experience in business, banking and financial expertise. Several staff from across the bank will become Hub Adelaide members. 

“BankSA already supports thousands of South Australian and Northern Territory businesses across a broad range of industries,’’ Ms Kittel said.

“We are always keen to support and help business operators and are also serious about helping keep our great young talent here.

“Hub Adelaide is a great resource and focus for new business and I’m sure it’s going to make a difference. I’m also pleased to announce details of BankSA’s first-ever $10,000 Jump Start Your Start Up grant which,like Hub Adelaide, is also designed to help make good business ideas a reality.’’

Jump Start Your Start Up is open to businesses in SA and the NT which started less than 12 months ago, or are yet to start operation. In addition to the cash grant, the winner will also benefit from expertise provided by BankSA business specialists.

Entrants must provide a business plan and financial details including overview of the business, its legal status, a marketing plan and summary of business services and products.

Ms Kittel said that many large South Australian companies have become household names over the years, from Balfours and Bickfords to Foodland and Clipsal. They have built and maintained strong brands and in some cases they span generations.  

But there are also many other small to medium enterprises (SMEs) that have survived well beyond the short term and continue to contribute to our economy, providing jobs, products and services.

She said that South Australian business showed innovation and in recent years new technology had helped many overcome the issue of distance from some markets and had helped spawn a new generation of business ventures.

“I know that there are a lot of dedicated and enthusiastic business operators and entrepreneurs coming through the ranks and we want to recognise and reward their endeavours with Jump Start.’’

To learn more about Jump Start Your Start Up and to enter, visit www.banksa.com.au/jumpstart

Applications will be judged by a panel of BankSA business managers and external business/industry experts.

Judges will consider and give preference to businesses that embrace innovation and demonstrate a solid understanding of their market and their customers.

Entries close on January 31, 2014 and the winner will be announced on March 5, 2014.

For further information please call Catherine Bauer from Hughes Public Relations on 08-8412-4100 or 0420-529-027.