Growing start-ups and small to medium enterprises

BDO Group Holdings embodies the Queensland Government’s procurement approach, delivering for Queensland by designing an accessible and inclusive financial program, exceeding enrolment targets by 140 participants, developing accessible innovative QiHub tools and resources, and contributing more than $60,000 as an in-kind program contribution to foster better outcomes for startups, scaleups and small to medium enterprises (SMEs).

Partnering with Advance Queensland, the company created the Business of Entrepreneurship Program in 2021, before rolling it out to 340 statewide participants.

Accelerator Programs were delivered face-to-face in Cairns and Mackay, with another three programs, two of which supported female founders, and inclusion and diversity, held in Brisbane.

Participants attended virtual workshops on Financials for Founders, Pricing for Growth, Investment Readiness and ACE ScaleUp.

BDO Chief Digital and Innovation Partner, Tanya Titman, said the program helped businesses identify their current cash runway, re-position for growth and scale, and determine the next steps to maximise viability.

Tanya said participants reported feelings of ‘empowerment’ after the program, which gave them the tools to identify and implement change within their business.

“It's actually extended their cash flow significantly,” she said.

She said the delivery team, who were trained in mental health first aid training, had supported participants if financial issues triggered stress.

The program’s success led to the creation of two new jobs in BDO’s Queensland Financial Education Team.

Since 2019, BDO has generously awarded seven scholarships to Queensland startups for its 12-month CEO School, and since 2016, 15 scholarships to Queensland SMEs to undertake its Business Growth Program.

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BDO Group Holdings staff