More support sees Queensland small businesses thrive

Eleven Queensland small businesses will share more than $88,000 in grant funding under the latest round of the Accelerate Small Business Grants Program.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman at the Sofi Spritz head office in Brisbane today announced these small businesses will receive assistance to engage with experts to help their business grow and create jobs.

“Small businesses are the engine room of our Queensland economy and investing in their growth leads to more local jobs,” Minister Fentiman said.

“I am pleased to announce these grants will provide targeted assistance to support small businesses looking for advice to help them to grow and expand.

“Since the Palaszczuk Government came to office we have worked with business and industry to create over 143,000 new jobs in Queensland.”

“Sofi Spritz is a Queensland success story and I am pleased the Palaszczuk Government is able to partner with them with a $10,000 grant that will be used to help take their chic popular drinks to the international market.

Featured on Channel TEN’s Shark Tank, Sofi Spritz is an all-natural Australian wine spritzer, crafted by a 5^th generation wine maker that was a start-up business crowdfunded by fans and is booming in sales across Australia.

“It’s inspiring to be able to see first-hand how these grants can assist small businesses like Sofi Spritz and provide them with the help they need to take a home grown Queensland brand to the world stage,” Ms Fentiman said.

Member for McConnel, Grace Grace said these grants are just one of the many ways the Palaszczuk Government supports Queensland small businesses to reach their full potential.

“Sofi Spritz, an all Australian wine spritz with an Italian influence, is a classic example of a family business that has just grown and grown,” Ms Grace said.

“As the local member and with my own Italian background, I take particular delight in a home-grown product and business preparing to take on the world.”

This announcement brings the total number of businesses benefiting from the program to 64, with many businesses using funds to help them manage growth, implement business development plans and look to overseas markets.

Thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s Accelerate Small Business Grant, founder of Sofi Spritz, Tom Maclean will be using the grant funds to look into new product development and advice for sending his wine spritz business into the international market.

“I’m employing more staff and more contractors to help manage domestic demand for the existing product range, but we need a solid strategy to make sure the business grows in a sustainable and diversified manner,” Mr Maclean said. 

“This grant means I can employ a Brisbane-based consultancy firm to work with me to map out a strategy to realise our vision for the business.

“I’m fortunate to be able to call on the knowledge of Shark Tank investors, Steve Baxter and Glen Richards, who came on board in 2016 following my appearance on their show.  “The sharks are a great sounding board and regularly challenge me to stretch for aggressive growth targets. 

“As a result of this grant allocation and the strategies that will result, I am looking forward to lots more growth for Sofi Spritz over the coming years.”

For further information on the Accelerate Small Business Grants Program, visit www.business.qld.gov.au/accelerate

ENDS

Media Contact:         Inga Williams                       0410 769 711