Built by female founders, for female founders.
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Flexible, ongoing and customised support tailored to female entrepreneurs and founders in the early stages of venture creation
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Targeted cohort sprints suited to different startup stages
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Dedicated team of experienced founders, mentors and advisors to help you achieve your startup goals
What is TEKWOMEN QLD?
TEKWOMEN QLD is an integrated agtech startup pathway that provides female agtech entrepreneurs and founders with the support and capabilities to build, grow and scale their Queensland-based agtech startups.
The pathway provides targeted cohort sprints, flexible learning options, dedicated female founder community and access to industry experts as female founders progress from early stage concepts and customer validation through to product development, customer acquisition and investment readiness.
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TEKWOMEN QLD
Startup Studio
Accepting Expressions of Interest
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Hybrid & flexible participation of both online and face to face
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12-month incubator studio
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Cohort based sprints targeting key business growth pillars such as product development, business model design, customer acquisition and funding
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1:1 coaching, mentoring and advisory board sessions
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Rapid sprints with investors
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Face to face bootcamps and regional residencies
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Stepping stone into more advanced accelerator programs with F2F
TEKWOMEN QLD is proudly supported by the Advance Queensland Initiative
A note from our founders
Multiple studies have identified the complex systemic problems creating barriers for women entering STEM-based careers with only 15% of STEM jobs in Australia held by women. In addition, only 22% of Australian startups are led by women.
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But, the evidence is undeniable...female founders are a better bet. Agrifood-tech startups with at least one female founder deliver higher revenues, and 35% greater returns on investment dollars compared with their male counterparts in tech. In 2022 VC funding for female-led startups has dropped even further to 2.1%.
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So what this tells us is there is still a lot of work to be done! As female founders of an agrifood-tech startup we are actively playing our role to support more women into agtech. Our programs are flexible and customised to specifically overcome some of these barriers and help more female agtech founders get the attention they deserve!
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Who is the TEKWOMEN QLD Startup Studio for?The TEKWOMEN QLD startup studio is for Queensland based, female-led early stage agtech startups. It is a 12-month startup incubator that supports female founders achieve their growth goals through cohort sprints, regional residencies, 1:1 coaching and mentoring, and connections to potential customers, partners and investors. By agtech startup, we mean a high growth potential, innovative startup that is tech-enabled and focused on solving challenges/opportunities in the agricultural sector. Technology applications could be software, hardware, implements with tools such as AI, Big Data, IOT, Intelligent apps, robotics, drones, autonomy, sensors, block chain and lots more! Eligibility is determined by the Queensland Government’s Accelerating Female Founders Program: A Queensland female founder is a Queensland resident, female-identifying person acting as a sole founder, a co-founder, or in a leadership position (CEO, Director, Executive) within an innovative business or the innovation ecosystem. Innovation Driven Enterprise (IDE) - a business that emphasises innovative solutions as a key driver of growth, competitive advantage, and value creation. Such enterprises focus on developing and commercialising new products and/or services to achieve their strategic outcomes More info: https://advance.qld.gov.au/entrepreneurs-and-startups/backing-female-founders-program
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How do I apply?Applications for the TEKWOMEN QLD Startup Studio will open in mid-September 2024. However, we are currently accepting expressions of interest. Once you fill out the simple EOI form here we will be in touch directly with you to talk through the program in more detail. If you are at an earlier stage where you just have an idea, our online TEKSTART program is a great place to start. You can learn more and sign up at anytime here
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How much does it cost?Thanks to the support of the Advance Queensland Initiative, Accelerating Female Founders Program we are able to offer spots in our startup studio at a subsidised rate of $750 to Queensland based female-led agtech startups. Note spots in our programs are usually valued at around $15K. For those female founders who have a genuine inability to pay, F2F will look to contribute where possible.
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What is the time commitment of the program?The TEKWOMEN QLD Startup Studio is a 12-month incubator that will offer a high degree of flexibility to participants including: Targeted cohort sprints Online and face to face elements in regional and metro locations Opt in learning modules and workshops Self-managed 1:1 coaching and mentoring During weeks of more intense online programming we would look at a maximum of 2 hours per week of contact time.
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Do I need to be located in Queensland?For this particular initiative, to be eligible you must be a resident of Queensland. However, Farmers2Founders runs multiple national programs per year that may be a fit for you if you are located outside of Queensland. You can find our upcoming programs here
