Many people, myself included have used the SMART goal framework to set both business and personal goals.  In the current uncertain environment, I feel it is time to switch to FAST goals instead.

Fast Goals are:

• Frequently Discussed,
• Ambitious,
• Specific, and
• Transparent

Frequently Discussed

In today’s current economic climate, there is a lot of uncertainty.  Your customer are uncertain.  Your staff are uncertain.  Your suppliers are uncertain.

And the only way to reduce this uncertainty is to make sure you are frequently talking to your customers, staff and suppliers.

By frequently talking to your:

• customers, both existing and potential, you can better understand how you can help them.
• suppliers, you can better understand how they can help you, help your customers.
• staff you can make sure everyone is engaged and aligned to deliver what your customers need now.

Ambitious

Ambitious goals help you to try a little harder.

Now right now, I am not talking about that Big Hairy Audacious Goal that is 3 to 5 years out.  Instead focus on the goals for the next 6 months.

And don’t forget, times of uncertainty bring about massive change.  And those who adapt will have the best chance of surviving and thriving in the future.

So, don’t just focus on a dollar goal.  Broaden your thinking to include:

• what you can do to innovate your existing business to improve performance.
• how you can pivot and transform your business to take advantage of new or different opportunities available to your business.

Specific

These are uncertain times and clarity of knowing what you are trying to achieve helps reduce that uncertainty for your customers, staff and suppliers.

If you can’t simply and accurately describe your goals, how can you communicate these to others.

Transparent

Transparency is key right now.

Be open and honest with your customers, staff and suppliers.

Secrecy, the opposite of transparency will create uncertainty, mixed engagement and misalignment.

Transparency will ensure everyone knows what is happening and where you are trying to get to.

Summary

If you want to survive and thrive in today’s business world you need to start operating under the framework of FAST Goals.

And don’t just think FAST.  Act FAST and increase the amount of communication you are doing with your customers, your staff and your suppliers.

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. Wayne may also be able to assist you in preparing any grant application. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an annual international entrepreneurship program that aims to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs. Each year, Cartier Women’s Initiative recognizes 30 entrepreneurs through 9 regional awards and Science & Technology Pioneer Award, providing them with up to $100,000 USD in financial support, mentorship, and access to a global network.

Applications are currently open for the 2026 cohort.

Awards / Funding Grant

The top three impact businesses Oceania, and in respect of the Science & Technology Pioneer Award, the winners will receive:

• US$ 100,000 grant for first-place; US$ 60,000 grant for second-place; and US$ 30,000 grant for third-place
• Access to support that includes a combination of 1:1 training, coaching, workshops and mentorship.

Eligibility for Regional Awards

Your business needs to be a for-profit women-owned and women-led impact-driven businesses, that:

• Can demonstrate that it has realized positive impact in its industry and that it has the potential to realize even more impact as it scales.
• Contributes to at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Is at an early-stage but with a proven business model and be in the initial phase of its development and growth between 1 and 6 years old.
• is generating revenue from no later than June 2024 from the sales of its products and/or services.
• The business should not have raised more than US$2 million in dilutive or potentially dilutive funding (i.e. equity, quasi-equity like SAFE or Convertible Notes) as of the date of application.

Eligibility for Science & Technology Pioneer Award

Your business needs to be a for-profit women-owned and women-led impact-driven businesses, that:

• The business should be based on the development of a new technology, a complex engineering process, or a scientific discovery, and not only on a disruptive business model
• Can demonstrate that it has the potential to have a significant positive impact in its industry.
• Contributes to at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Is at an early-stage or initial phase of its development or growth. It must have at least a proof of concept, a prototype, or be in the process of producing one and must not have been commercializing its final product/service for more than 6 years.

Learn More

To learn more and apply for one of the Cartier Women’s Initiative awards click here.

Note applications for the 2026 cohort close 24 June 2025

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. Wayne may also be able to assist you in preparing any grant application. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

With a TechVoucher, you can unlock up to $50,000 in match funding from the NSW Government to engage with approved research delivery partners (mainly Universities) to validate your business products / services or to solve a business problem you are facing. 

Eligible TechVoucher businesses

To be eligible for the TechVouchers Program, your business must:

• Have an ABN registered in NSW and be based in NSW.​
• Employ fewer than 200 people.​
• Not be a subsidiary of a revenue-generating business locally or overseas.​
• Have no financial ties with the proposed research partner
• Possess the rights to commercialise their products or services.​
• Provide matched funding (cash only; in-kind contributions are not accepted)
• work in industry sectors or technologies identified in the NSW Industry Development Framework. They are: Clean energy and waste; Medical and life sciences; Digital systems and software; Defence and aerospace; International education; Visitor economy; Agriculture and agrifood; Resources; Digital technologies; Advanced manufacturing; Biotechnology

How does it work

​The key here is that you need to approach the approved research delivery partners and jointly apply for the funding.  Note each approved research delivery partner has a set budget they can use (around $510,000, so you may need to approach several such partners till you find someone who has both the necessary skills and funding left in their program.  As of 17 April 2025 I know that Western Sydney University still has available funds

Eligible TechVoucher projects

TechVouchers can be used to fund:

• Access to research facilities and equipment (e.g., electron microscopes, medical imaging, supercomputers
• Product or process design activities, including engineering or technical design expertise.​
• Validation or demonstration of technical capabilities of a product, process, or technology.​
• Clinical trials and in-market validation.​
• Enhancement of existing product capabilities or enabling entry to international markets. ​

Learn More

Note the business must approach the approved research institution to start the process

To learn more about the TechVoucher program, and who the approved research institutions click here

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. Wayne may also be able to assist you in preparing any grant application. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

The QLD Female Founders Co-Investment fund is available to innovative female founded businesses engaging in or planning to engage in an early-stage capital raise.

It is targeted at Innovation Driven Enterprises that emphasises innovative solutions as a key driver of growth, competitive advantage, and value creation.   With the focus on developing and commercialising new products and/or services to achieve their strategic outcomes.

Funding

The Fund provides grants from $50,000 to $200,000 (excluding GST).

The grant will be matched with a 3:1 ratio (i.e. $1 in grant funding for every $3 of secured investment) awarded over a period of 12 months, for either a single investment or a raise round led by an eligible investment entity.

Note there are requirements around who is an eligible investor and this excludes existing shareholders.

Eligibility

Funding is available for Queensland businesses:

• A female founded business, which, for at least six months prior to application, is majority female owned: at least 51% of shares are held by a woman/women; and, female led with at least one primary executive decision-making position is held by a woman
• have an ABN and be registered for GST
• have no more than 50 full-time equivalent employees and not be a subsidiary of a group of companies that has more than 50 full-time equivalent employees in total
• not have received investment through previous capital raises, grant funding or accelerators totalling more than $500,000
• be engaging in or planning to engage in an early-stage capital raise from a new eligible investment entity or entities.

The applicant organisation must, at the time of application:

▪      be planning to secure and finalise their capital raise within six months (180 calendar days) of receiving provisional approval from the Fund, or,

▪      have secured an offer of investment, from a new eligible investment entity within the previous three months (90 calendar days), and will aim to secure and finalise their capital raise within six months (180 calendar days) of receiving provisional approval from the Fund.

Note there are requirements around who is an eligible investor and this excludes existing shareholders.

The organisation should also:

• have a clear innovation focus
• have a product/service beyond proof of concept
• have an established business plan covering the next 12 months
• have a clear runway and growth plan for 12 months
• plan to use the funding to scale their business.

Eligible Use of Grant Funds

Female Founders Co-Investment Fund expenditure must be related to growing and/or scaling the business.

Wherever possible, the funding must be expended in Queensland, or through Queensland-based suppliers.

The grants must not be used for activities which include:

• FDA/TGA or other regulatory approval costs
• capital works and/or physical infrastructure, including any buildings, telecommunications and IT networks
• costs associated employee allowances, bonuses or fringe benefits. ongoing compliance fees and licences, entertainment, conference costs
• costs associated with securing and/or managing the grant funding
• general business operating costs, including but not limited to rent, rates, electricity, water, internet, insurance, software, accounting fees, legal fees

Learn More and Apply

To learn more about the QLD Female Founders Co-Investment fund and apply click here

Currently applications may be submitted at anytime till all funds are expended (or 30 June 2027 at the latest).

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

Do you have an innovative way to use tyre-derived materials (TDM) from Australian end-of-life tyres?  If you do, then the Tyre Stewardship Australia Market Development Fund may be for you.

The fund provides between $50,000 and $300,000 in match funding (cash contributions valued more than in-kind contributions).

Eligible Projects

There are 2 streams with matched funding.

There is the Infrastructure & Development Stream that supports commercially viable projects that:

• Integrate TDM into manufacturing or construction
• Expand production capacity or end-market use
• Trial innovative products using TDM
• Align with ESG and circular economy goals

And there is the Research Stream which funds projects that:

• Test and validate new uses of TDM
• Address technical, regulatory, or specification challenges
• Build knowledge to support market confidence and uptake

All Projects must support the use of materials processed by Australian recyclers and deliver value to the local economy.

The Fund is open to businesses as well as researchers.

Learn more

Click here to learn more about the Tyre Stewardship Australia Market Development Fund

Noe Expression of Interests for the current round of funding close 9 May 2025

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

The Australian Technologies Competition identifies and accelerates Australian technology ‘scaleups’ across more than a dozen sectors.

The winner of the competition gets an investment of $100k into the business by Scalare Partners.   The minimum cash component of the investment will be $50k plus $50k in support services.

Eligibility

To enter, you must:

• be an Australian-based SME company with less than 100 employees

• own or have the commercial rights to the intellectual property for the key technology
• have evidence of traction and an MVP established here in Australia

Applicants should have:

• Technology / solutions with strong commercial potential
• Technology / solutions that have a high degree of global potential
• Companies with a global mindset
• Technology that solves real-world challenges
• A clearly-articulated solution and demonstrated customer need
• Meet the requirements of at least one award category (see below)

Award Categories

Companies can enter up to two categories across a total of 18 award categories.  These award categories include:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Best Regional Technology
• Circular Economy
• Clean Energy
• Cybersecurity
• DeepTech
• Disaster & Emergency Management
• Female Founder Led Start-up
• Fintech & Regtech
• Global Social Impact
• MedTech & Pharma
• Pre-Revenue Technology
• Sustainable Cities & Communities
• Sustainable Mining & Resources
• Water, Food & Agribusiness
• Young Founder (Under 30)

The Entry Process

Round 1 – All entries are reviewed and a selected number are entrants (over 50 in 2024) will be selected as semi- finalists.  Semi-finalists will receive mentoring, networking opportunities and invited to participate in an international growth Masterclass and networking program (participant fee applies), held in June as an in-person event in Sydney.

Round 2 – Semi Finalists are required to complete a Growth Plan that is submitted as the second stage of the Judging process.  A shortlist of finalists will then be selected.

Round 3 – Finalists will deliver a 5-minute pitch and the winner selected.

Learn More

Click here to learn more about the Australian Technologies Competition

The deadline for 2025 entries is on Sunday, the 11th of May 2025.

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

If you are small business with turnover of less than $2m and less than 20 employees then the BizGiver April 2025 competition may be for you.

The BizGiver competition is run by BizCover and is their way to recognise the dedication, sacrifice, and commitment that small business owners invest in their dreams (and to be fair, how to get the details of potential customers).

The winner of the BizGiver competition, gets BizCover to purchase a product or service to the value of $5,000 (inc GST) on your behalf.  Note there is no cash and they won’t part fund anything over $5,000.  If you win, they will purchase whatever you detailed in your entry.

Previous winners have had equipment such as commercial fridges, computers, drones, recording equipment and various other items.

So, if you have a piece of equipment or service for under $5,000 (inc GST) that could significantly help your business, then why not enter the BizGiver competition.  And you can enter multiple times for different products or services.

All you need to do for each entry, is supply a one-minute or less video, telling them about a product or service that will help your business spark a new revenue stream, or just make your small business life a little easier!

How to Apply

To learn more about the BizGiver Competition and submit your entry, click here

Note entries close 11:59pm AEST Wednesday 7th May 2025.

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

At Westpac Funding Your Startup event, and listening to Kylie Frazer, investor in residence at UNSW Founders talk about Fundraising paths.

Key takeaways:

Best way to fund your business is with customer revenue.  Take as little external capital (and dilution) as you need to get to be customer funded.

Unless you are deep tech, you need to look at new ways of funding including super sophisticated angels (those angels who can give your more than just cash) and some of the new banking offerings that are starting to be made available.

It is all about the jockey not the horse.  It’s about the team and why now for your idea, solution.

Make sure you build a product your customer wants and loves.  You want real ARR (annualised recurring revenue) and not ERR (experimental recurring revenue) where customers churn away

Figure out your definition of success and align this definition with potential funders definition of success to improve your chances of successful fund raise.

And an added tip from Anastasia Latin, Co-founder and COO Preview Health; be creative and look at ways to save or reduce burn to extend runway.  In other words, be better with money.

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. Wayne may also be able to assist you in preparing your business plan. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

3 x $20,000 Westpac Accelerator Scholarships are available in 2025 for women and non binary founders who are successful in joining UNSW Founders 10x Accelerator programs. 

This money can be used as capital for business growth or to help cover travel or lost salary costs when undertaking the 10-week program.

Learn More

Click here to Learn more about the Westpac Accelerator Scholarships

Click here to Learn more about the UNSW Founders 10x Accelerator programs

Note applications close 19 May 2025

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. Wayne may also be able to assist you in preparing your business plan. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

As many business owners know, getting a loan if your business is less than 2 years old can be hard.  Fortunately, Westpac have seen this issue and now have a range of business loans for startups and scaleups.

And on top of this, Westpac has announced a further $500m of funding in March  2025 under the below programs to specifically support female entrepreneurs.

Business Loan for Startups

The startup loans are for business who have been operating for less than 2 years.

You can borrow between $10,000 and $50,000 for business or investment purposes other than investment in residential property.  Loan terms of up to 5 years with flexible repayment options.    This loan can be unsecured but you may need to provide a director’s personal guarantee.

Key requirement is that you submit a business plan with your application.  The business plan will need to address: what your business does; your target market; forecasted profit and loss or projected cashflow; your market competitors; long-term business outlook; any relevant industry experience and skills.

Obviously being a bank there will be some credit criteria and credit policy requirements.  So, the better your personal credit score the better your application will be considered.

To learn more about the Westpac Business loan for Startups click here

Unsecured Business Loan for Scaleups

The unsecured business loans are for business who have been operating at least 12 months.

You can borrow between $10,000 and $250,000 (maybe able to go up to $500,000) for business or investment purposes other than investment in residential property.  Loan terms of up to 5 years with flexible repayment options.  You may need to provide a director’s personal guarantee.

Obviously being a bank there will be some credit criteria and credit policy requirements.  So, the better your personal credit score the better your application will be considered.

To learn more about the Westpac Unsecured Business Loan for Scaleups click here

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. Wayne may also be able to assist you in preparing your business plan. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052