Half a million dollars in funding is set to assist more than 90 budding Indigenous and migrant women who aspire to develop food businesses.
Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council and The Social Outcomes Lab have each received grants of $250,000 as part of the New South Wales government's Supporting Women in Business Grants program 2025/26.
The funds will help develop business capability, confidence and practical skills of women in metropolitan and regional areas, a reflection of broader efforts to elevate female participation in small business, particularly among Aboriginal and culturally diverse communities.
The Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council would support Indigenous women in Coffs Harbour, the Bellingen Valley and the Nambucca Valley, with a focus on tourism and cultural enterprise.
Chief executive Michele Donovan said the program would provide tailored support, mentoring and business training.
"Utilising their strong cultural connections, stories and language to develop a sound tourism product, or cultural tourism experience, Aboriginal women will gain skills, confidence and resources needed to start or grow micro and small businesses," Ms Donovan said.
"These include concepts from ideation to a developed product or business, which will showcase the Gumbaynggirr Cultural experience for tourists who visit our region.
"This holistic approach ensures Aboriginal women receive comprehensive support from business ideation, to securing finance and launching their business."
The Social Outcomes Lab would deliver its business incubator for migrant female 'foodpreneurs' across Cumberland, Campbelltown, Parramatta and Queanbeyan-Palerang. Its program combined business training, culinary development and empowerment support, designed to transition early ideas of women into viable food enterprises.
Small businesses remain central to the New South Wales economy, accounting for 97 per cent of all businesses and employing approximately 1.7 million people.
Census data from 2021 showed women make up roughly 34 per cent of small business owners in the state, compared with 66 per cent who are male, a gap the NSW Women's Strategy aims to narrow by improving access to opportunity and support.
NSW Minister for Small Business, Janelle Saffin, said the funding recognised the broader impact of female-led enterprises.
"These grants are about backing women who are creating opportunity not just for themselves, but for their families, their communities and their local economies," she said.
Funding for Aboriginal-led initiatives and migrant female-led organisations are essential to help women overcome barriers to starting successful businesses, the Minister said.
"When we invest in women-led small businesses, we invest in more resilient, inclusive and innovative communities," Ms Saffin said.
The Social Outcomes Lab managing director, Nazia Ahmed, said the money extended beyond individual businesses.
"This accelerator program has the potential to transform lives while strengthening social cohesion across NSW," she said.
The program assists culturally and linguistically diverse women through practical training, confidence building and access to professional networks and investment pathways.
"By sharing the stories of these food entrepreneurs, the program will foster greater understanding and connection across communities," Ms Ahmed said.
