Under the program, 100 small businesses from diverse sectors across Australia will be chosen to receive a digital transformation valued at up to $20,000.
Fifteen of these businesses will be selected to become a ‘Digital Champion’ and undergo their transformation in the public spotlight, with the mentoring assistance of high-profile Australian entrepreneurs.
Funding will also be made available for industry associations to engage a ‘Trusted Digital Adviser’ to provide sector specific advice to their membership across Australia including their relevant Digital Champion.
Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education Michaelia Cash said the project was part of the government’s elevation of small business as a key economic contributor.
“Research from Deloitte found that small and medium enterprises with higher levels of digital engagement are 50 per cent more likely to be growing revenue, eight times more likely to be creating jobs, seven times more likely to be exporting or engaging in new markets and 14 times more likely to be innovating new products and services,” the minister said.
Small businesses across the country will be able to follow the 12-month digital transformation of the Digital Champions, learning as they learn, and gaining the confidence and understanding they need to make these tools work for their own business.
The project will formally commence in early 2019.