Invites female entrepreneurs with a business idea a chance to win a share of $60,000 in equity-free funding.

The Kickstarter Challenge is a competition for female entrepreneurs with a business idea.

Are you the next aspiring female founder who will win? You are invited to submit your business idea across a range of categories. An expert panel of judges will then review the submissions, selecting 5 finalists who will have the incredible opportunity to pitch their ventures and compete for a share of $60,000 in equity-free funding and a suite of invaluable business support resources. It’s more than a competition – it’s a launchpad for your entrepreneurial dreams.

Submissions open from 1 July, 2025, at 9:00 am AEDT and close on 1 October, 2025, at 5:00 pm AEDT. 

The categories are:

• Health, Wellbeing and The Care Economy: How can we innovate to address the health and wellbeing challenges facing Australians?
• Environment and Sustainability: What sustainable solutions can help protect our environment and climate?
• Community Impact: What innovative idea will empower and provide value to the community?
• Technology: What innovative idea will empower and provide value to the community?
• Education: What solutions will promote successful teaching and learning or improve educational outcomes for Australians?

One finalist from each category will be flown to Canberra to attend the Kickstarter Challenge Grand Final where they will pitch their ideas to a panel of industry experts.

To be eligible to win, entrants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Identify as female
• Reside in Australia
• Represent a female-founded startup, with majority ownership and leadership held by women
• Have a registered business and maintain their primary place of business within Australia
• Hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN), either as a sole trader or associated with the business idea/name entered
• Have commenced trading on or after 1 January 2023, if trading has begun
• Generate business revenue below $75,000 AUD in the last 12 months of trading from the date of application, inclusive of grants received
• Maintain a business banking account in the name of the business idea submitted, established prior to entering the Promotion, or be willing to establish one if selected as a Finalist.

Click here to view full funding guidelines on the provider's website.