Grants and funding

There are a range of business grants and funding opportunities available to assist your business reach the next level.

Check out the latest funding and grants available:

• City of Greater Geelong - Business Grants and Funding
• City of Greater Geelong - Community Grants
• Business Victoria grants and funding
• Australia Government business grants and programs 
   

Training and development

Free and or low-cost training options and education programs are available to support local businesses develop the skills and tools needed to succeed.

Melbourne Innovation Digital Solutions Program

The Digital Solutions Program is a government funded digital support program for Victorian businesses with fewer than 20 employees. This program focuses on building and developing websites, selling online, improving your SEO, social media, small business software, security and much more.

What's included:

• three hours of 1:1 mentoring
• weekly live workshops and webinars
• over 20 short courses.

Total cost: $110.00 including gst (access to supports until 2026)

Business Victoria - Training Courses and Webinars

Business Victoria in conjunction with the Australian Retailers Association Monarch Institute and the Wage Inspectorate Victoria offer a diverse range of free short training courses and pre-recorded webinars for small businesses to help upskill and develop better businesses.

Examples of some of the topics covered include:

• generating cash flow
• cybersecurity
• innovator's mindset
• from bricks and mortar to online
• starting a small business
• wage theft for employers.

 Business Victoria – Live Webinars and Workshops

Business Victoria facilitates live webinars and in person workshops to help start, build or grow your small business.

Geelong Small Business Festival

The Geelong Small Business Festival is delivered by the City of Greater Geelong to connect, inspire and grow local businesses.

Held annually in August, the Geelong Small Business Festival provides a range of free or low-cost events to help you improve your business skills, learn from industry experts, network and engage with other like-minded businesspeople.

Learn about the Geelong Small Business Festival.

Business mentoring

Business mentors are a fantastic option for business owners. They can act as both sounding boards and sources of knowledge, helping to guide you down the path to success. Sessions can help start, build or transform your business.

Small business mentoring service
The City of Greater Geelong offers free one-on-one business mentoring sessions for businesses within the Geelong region. These tailored business sessions are delivered by qualified business mentors from the Small Business Mentoring Service.

Business Victoria – Small Business Bus
The Small Business Bus is another free service, supported by Monarch Institute, providing free 45-minute tailored business mentoring sessions delivered by specialised business advisors. To find out when the bus is next in Geelong, visit the link above.

Business Victoria – Virtual Mentor Sessions
Free online business advice available Monday to Friday (9 am to 7 pm) to help you start or grow your small business. One session is available for each business per 12-month period.
 

Business Events Calendar

To stay up to date with the latest business events across the greater Geelong region.