Bite Size Branding Episode 82 with Shelli McAlpine of Business Grant Advisors and Caitlin Budge of Clarified Solutions.
Caitlin is the CEO of Clarified Solutions, where her team specialises in writing Grant Applications, Tender Applications and other Business Documents.
Shelli used to work in the Academe but decided to switch careers and help start-up businesses with grant opportunities.
We’re starting our episode with an update from the Victorian Chamber of Commerce regarding the 457 Visas and how it slows down businesses because of the current process. The demand for AI and software specialists has also been evident these days, mainly because of the evolution of business models.
One of the reasons why Caitlin and Shelli want to bring people on shore is security reasons. The skilled workers need to interact with local offices to deliver the project, so they need to be physically in Australia. Speeding up the process of skilled workers’ Visas is a vital part of Australia’s day-to-day.
For the second topic, we talk about the MVP grant, where a business introduces a new concept to the market, gaining support from the government. As a startup business asking for grants, you get $400K in budget. It’s amazing how the new businesses are waiting for opportunities of a grant manufacturer, whether locally or import. What has become obvious now is the role that AI plays in the speed of grants and visa approval.
Here’s a process or model that our guests, Shelli and Caitlin, go by when they receive an enquiry or whether it’s a business wanting to scale, etc.
- They mostly work with referrals
- Once the initial contact has been made
- A discovery call or strategic meeting is scheduled
- Discover the business goals
- Targets
- Expectations
- Etc
- Check for eligibility
Some of the most trending grant opportunities that our guests have noted:
- Renewable energy
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Those who offer complex solutions to a business
- Startup companies that haven't launched
- AI
- Energy
- Security
- SME Grants that make the companies energy efficient
Whether you’re in VIC or NSW, here’s much more information on government grants from our 2 guests, so tune in!
