Do you know a social enterprise start-up that would benefit from more than $30,000 worth of expert assistance?

If you do, and they’re involved in the digital space, then this is for them.

Telstra Foundation and Social Traders are seeking a ‘digital’ start-up with a social heart who wants some help to get their idea off the ground. The successful start-up will receive funding from Social Traders to help them take part in The Crunch, a highly successful six month incubation program.

During this program they will benefit from the expertise of business and industry leaders to develop a business plan, mentoring, and have the opportunity to meet a range of social investors. The funding is made available by The Social Traders thanks to support from the Telstra Foundation.

So if you know a social enterprise that:

  • shares our belief that lives can be changed with technology
  • has a great idea that’s about creating digital connections for social change for the benefit of Australians
  • uses digital technology – such as tablets, smartphones, platforms, social media and/or apps – to achieve their social purpose
  • is based in Australia
  • is aiming to receive investment and start trading within 12 months,

tell them to submit an application at Social Trader’s. Social Trader’s submission guidelines and terms & conditions of participation are also linked from this site.

The process will kick off with a Warm-Up workshop at Telstra’s Melbourne office on 5 September. Social enterprises can click here now to register for The Crunch Digital Inclusion Warm-Up. Interested social enterprises are invited to attend the Warm-up, but they can apply for the six month incubation program regardless of whether they attend.

What next?

The Telstra Foundation works with community partners to unlock their digital potential so that all Australians – regardless of age, income, location, disability – enjoy the social and economic benefits of being connected.

Social Traders is a non-profit that supports and encourages the establishment of commercially viable social enterprises throughout Australia.

The Crunch is a six-month incubation program for Australian social enterprises aiming to receive investment and start trading within 12 months.