Queensland's High Potential Purpose-Led Female Founders Join The FFFWD Accelerator Program
A new cohort of 13 experienced ladies throughout South East Queensland, have begun impact boom’s Female founders forward Accelerator Program.
designed for purpose-led entrepreneurs, each of these female-led innovative enterprises are responding to a vast range of local & global challenges.
After a highly competitive application process, the selected entrepreneurs and their teams shone through as passionate leaders deeply driven to create a positive impact and to prove that business absolutely can be a force for good.
These inspiring social entrepreneurs are well worth watching as they evolve, develop their enterprises and expand their impact. Announced at the local Brisbane Social Enterprise Networking Drinks on the 21st of August, these founders are already demonstrating that they are ready to grow personally & professionally.
This Female Founders Forward Accelerator program is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government’s Backing Female Founders initiative. We’d also like to express our gratitude to the Griffith Centre for Systems Innovation at Griffith University for their ongoing support.
We are grateful to the entire cohort for the grit and commitment they’ve shown in coming so far in their unique journeys and their drive to make a positive impact.
Meet the 2023 FFFWD Cohort
Avodah Global are disrupting the exploitive global clothes manufacturing model with a network of small-scale ethical factories employing sex trafficking survivors.
Dedicated to crafting ethically-made, eco-friendly garments for Australian labels and brands, Avodah Global cater to diverse needs, from corporate to casual wear, activewear, swimwear, medical wear, and bed linen. Their clientele includes major brands, SMEs, and startups, drawn by the compelling ethical narrative and sustainability ethos. Avodah Global's visionary approach extends to creating an outworker program in adjacent villages, empowering women to sew from home, nurturing a rural work-from-home ecosystem.
Their innovative "hub and spoke" manufacturing model not only generates local revenue for Cambodian women but disrupts the cycle of sex trafficking by safeguarding vulnerable children from exploitation. With a Brisbane-based Product Development Centre leading the way, Avodah Global is steering compassionate, sustainable change in the garment industry.
FounderS - liz henderson & karine Emanouel
Ethni
Ethni create safe and empowering spaces where young women from diverse cultural backgrounds can navigate life’s challenges, drive meaningful social change in their community, and shape a more equal world for all.
Ethni believe that the road towards cultural and gender equality starts with uplifting young women. So, Ethni creates opportunities for young women from diverse cultural backgrounds to embrace their stories, build deep connections, navigate life’s ups and downs, and drive change in their communities.
They are not here to save anybody. These young women are passionate, resilient, and brave; they are committed to shaping their own future and being their own hero.
At Ethni, their role is to equip young women with valuable skills to help them navigate life’s challenges, their way. They respect their individual journeys & are there to support - for the long haul.
Senior Manager - Kani kenyi + Team
Globe Domes are all about creating eco-friendly innovative housing as well as employment opportunities for vulnerable families, even solo parents, during this housing & mental health crisis around Australia & around the world.
Globe Domes allows people to place their home in a way where hilltop views or panoramic scenes are a part of life and not just an expensive booked experience. Through working with other like-minded organisations & individuals, Globe Domes support people to obtain sustainable, affordable, warm housing.
Build your dome homes. Build your future.
Founder - Adele Hauwai
mind blank
Mind Blank uses interactive theatre methods to empower people to promote mental wellbeing strategies and have conversations that save lives.
Mind Blank are a multi-award winning mental health promotion organisation committed to being recognised as a world leader in the delivery of prevention and early intervention mental health strategies.
They continue to develop new service models and technologies to expand their impact to support the next generation of young Australians thrive as their best selves. Servicing thousands of people in schools, workplaces, community organisations and detention centres with their creative & powerful offerings, Mind Blank’s innovative creative health promotion solutions remind us there’s always someone to help - you just have to ask.
Founder - Ally Kelly + Team
The Resilience Tutor is an innovative social enterprise that aims to empower young people to develop resilience skills. Strong emotional and mental well-being is crucial for children to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
From analysing a range of statistics from schools and society, Lynne found that not all children possess these skills. To address this issue, the Resilience Tutor was created to focus on sustainable systemic change within schools and homes to ultimately teach young people how to connect with and embrace their mental health.
The Resilient Tutor aims to give young people a robust and deeper connection in understanding themselves, their emotions, thinking, energy, and behaviour, and how it all connects with their everyday life experiences. They aim to ultimately close the resilience gap and ultimately create resilient futures.
Founder - lynne kendall
the present project
The Present Project aims to change the way we go about gifting. It asks people to think deeper about the act of present giving and receiving, and provides an easy way to both receive a more meaningful present and make a donation to a charity.
The Present Project will use cloud-based software to organise event invitations and manage RSVPs, while providing guests the convenience of contributing to a gift and donation online, at the same time as receiving the event details.
The Present Project aims to provide a seamless way to redirect excess gifting to charitable organisations. They put the charity donation at the heart of the present, not as an optional after-thought. It is an opportunity to teach the younger generation the true value of presents, to promote the benefits of giving and service to others, while reducing environmental waste related to unwanted gifts.
Founder -Vanessa gourlay
Noblesse
Noblesse exists to help women stand in their greatness and to build a sustainable lifestyle, with made to order clothing, that is made-to-fit with the most timeless capsule wardrobe and sustainable fibres, all made in Australia.
Noblesse give women the opportunity to change buying behaviours to more conscious and responsible fashion choices with education, awareness and pathways to a more sustainable future.
The big vision for Fiona is to build a pathway program, to bring manufacturing back to the shores of Australia, teach women sewing skills and pattern making and giving them an opportunity to take back agency over their lives whether they are from an underprivileged background or are looking to escape a difficult DV situation and find a better sustainable lifestyle.
Founder - fiona mehmet
Antiquely stands as Australia's pioneering online-curated marketplace, bridging the gap between buyers and sellers of vintage, antique, and second-hand homewares.
They empower their sellers by offering them the chance to either consign a few items or to sell on their behalf, allowing sellers who wish to sell regularly the opportunity to open their own stores within the platform. This creates a vibrant and diverse community. For buyers, Antiquely allows them to shop for an assortment of the best curated items at the click of a button.
Antiquely challenge the notion that age dictates worth. Just because something is old doesn't mean it's destined for disposal. They celebrate the enduring charm and quality craftsmanship found in vintage and antique homewares.
Founder - danielle Shield-Lawrence
One bridge’s mission is to bridge the gap in healthcare and well-being, empowering vulnerable populations and communities across Australia.
One Bridge deliver innovative Street Outreach and Health in Housing programs & are committed to delivering compassionate and equitable health services within the community.
They strive to foster a healthier, more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives and achieve their fullest potential. Together, they build bridges to better health, one step at a time.
founder - Sonia Martin
Offering online transformations, workshops and fitness competitions just for mums, Fit Mumma is about reclaiming your MOJO and being the best and healthiest Mumma you can be.
Offering education and events, Fit Mumma’s goal is to help Mums to be the best and healthiest version of themselves. Taking into consideration all the challenges that come with being a mother, Fit Mumma aims to give real information and achievable results, all backed by experts in their field, plus a community of supportive women.
An integral part of Fit Mumma is its desire to give back to the community, in particular to mothers and babies in need. Through its support of charity partner Baby Give Back, Fit Mumma donates a percentage of all event ticket sales, to assist this amazing cause.
Founder - Patsy Tierney
Teamed
Teamed is a platform where women unite to embrace nothing less than what they truly deserve.
Teamed is a response to the barriers migrant women & mothers face in obtaining work. This digital platform links experienced female project managers with skilled teams of women who specialise in different areas of marketing, communications, and design.
Teamed prioritises empowering mums, migrants, and women in regional or remote areas, enabling them to collaborate on projects for social responsible businesses across Australia.
Founder - Viviana castrillon
Expand your library
Expand Your Library is a socially responsible business venture dedicated to celebrating and sharing diverse books and resources for children of all ages and backgrounds.
Through Expand Your Library, Jenae offers valuable resources, workshops, and programs to help children, educators, and families learn about different perspectives and become advocates for allyship and community connection.
She founded Expand Your Library after struggling to find diverse storylines and characters for her own children. Her goal is to create a more inclusive and equitable world for all. Jenae's work through Expand Your Library is making a significant impact on the community by promoting empathy, cultural awareness, and communication skills for children as young as three years old.
In addition to her work with Expand Your Library, Jenae is also a committed philanthropist. She intends to venture into providing free books and resources to children in regional Queensland, and she has already donated books and delivered in-kind workshops to marginalised communities.
Founder - Jenae Tien Jenkins
letters of hope
Letters of Hope aims to spread kindness, raise awareness and break the stigma around mental health through sending handwritten letters to those who are going through a tough time.
Letters of Hope deliver a range of workplace mental health and wellbeing services, with all facilitation fees funding the organisation and allowing them to send out more handwritten letters as well as deliver free kindness workshops to schools and the wider community.
Each letter is packed with helpful coping strategies, words of empowerment and connects those who are struggling with the support that could turn things around. They truly believe in the importance of social connection, kindness and compassion as protective factors when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.
