The NSW Government has invested more than $190,000 to support the launch of what is being described as Australia’s first database dedicated to showcasing women-owned businesses.
Funding has been provided to Entrepreneurial & Small Businesswomen Australia to develop the Women-Owned Enterprises Australia Supplier Network, a new hub aimed at increasing the visibility of women-led businesses and connecting them with commercial buyers and NSW Government tenders under $3 million.
The database is designed to match women-owned enterprises with procurement opportunities and is targeting 3,000 women to join within three years.
According to the release, women remain underrepresented in small business ownership. The 2021 Census shows around 34 per cent of NSW small business owners are women, compared with 66 per cent who are men. The government says increasing the proportion of women-owned businesses will support economic growth and social progress.
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the initiative would help women turn ideas into viable businesses.
“The Minns Government is working hard to empower women to dream big, start up and run their own businesses. Many women have fantastic business ideas and just need a bit of a boost to turn them into something more.”
“This new hub is a great way to connect women-owned and led businesses with NSW Government tenders, so that we can use our buying power to really boost women’s opportunity.”
“It’s not only good for women, but also great for our economy by increasing the diversity of suppliers.”
Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin said the database would help ensure women-led enterprises were better positioned to compete for contracts.
“Small businesses are the engine room of the NSW economy, but for too long, many talented women entrepreneurs have been operating under the radar.”
“By investing in this database, we are shining a light on women-led enterprises and ensuring they are front and centre when it comes to major contracts and tenders.”
“This initiative will open new doors for thousands of women in business – giving them the visibility, connections, and confidence they need to grow and compete.”
In addition to establishing the Supplier Network, funding will support industry-specific procurement-readiness workshops and a small business summit aimed at helping women build knowledge, networks, and confidence.
The announcement also forms part of broader NSW Government efforts to improve women’s economic participation and advance gender equality, including membership of the WEConnect global women-owned business network and partnerships under the Supporting Women in Business Grants and Investing in Women Grants programs.
Founder and CEO of Entrepreneurial & Small Businesswomen Australia, Amanda Rose, said the initiative represented more than just a funding announcement.
“ESBWA is funded through a range of sources across government, corporate, and project-based partnerships. Women Owned Enterprises operates as a dedicated brand of ESBWA, and the NSW Government is currently supporting the Women Owned Enterprises project in New South Wales.
“The core goal of ESBWA is to represent and advocate for women in business and entrepreneurship across Australia, ensuring women are visible, influential, and economically powerful within policy, industry, and enterprise.”
“This is not just an announcement; it is the establishment of infrastructure. For the first time in Australia, there is a coordinated mechanism to identify, verify, prepare, and actively connect women-owned enterprises into procurement supply chains.”
More information about the Women-Owned Enterprises Australia Supplier Network is available through EBSWA.
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