Funding And Finance
Funding
Getting the right funding at the right time can be the difference between a bold idea and a thriving business. But not all funding is created equal—and not all of it’s worth chasing. While options like crowdfunding and business loans exist, they typically have strict demands and high-risk tied to them.
That’s why we focus on what works: non-dilutive government grants and high-conviction venture capital. These are the two clearest paths with the highest leverage—if you know how to approach them.
Grants
Government grants may be available if you are:
- navigating challenging economic conditions
- developing new products or technology
- expanding into international markets
- undertaking sustainability, R&D, or export initiatives
Many countries offer a central grant-finder tool or business support portal—search your government’s official site (e.g. business.gov.au for Australia, grants.gov for the U.S., or gov.uk/business-finance-support in the UK). These tools make it easier to check eligibility and apply without wasting time chasing dead ends.
Grant Finder Tools
Finding grants used to be a time-consuming process, but today there are powerful grant finder tools available to help identify funding opportunities quickly.
If you’re based in Australia, you can use GrantGuru, an excellent free resource that aggregates grants from all over Australia — and even includes some international opportunities.
Many regions have similar databases. If you’re based outside Australia, try searching for terms like:
”[Your country] grant finder” or ”[Your region] business grants database”.
Here are a few other options:
- United States: Grants.gov
- United Kingdom: GOV.UK – Business Finance and Support
- European Union: EU Funding & Tenders Portal
- Canada: Innovation Canada – Funding Tool
Many local councils, regional governments, and industry bodies also maintain their own grant databases. It’s worth checking your council website or contacting local business development offices directly.
Venture Capital & Accelerators
Blackbird backs wild ideas and the people crazy enough to build them. They invest from day zero—sometimes before there’s a product or pitch deck, just belief. If you’re reshaping an industry or building something the world doesn’t understand yet, Blackbird is more than a funding source. They’re long-term, high-conviction partners who back founders with capital, coaching, and a community that raises the bar.
There’s no gatekeeping here. No need for a warm intro—just a sharp insight, a bold mission, and the clarity to explain why it matters. If they see what you see, you’ll get support across talent, storytelling, leadership, and growth, from a team that’s all-in.
Startmate is where ambitious founders go to turn sparks into fire. Their accelerator offers a $120k investment, 1:1 mentoring from world-class operators, and a 12-week sprint to sharpen your product, pitch, and trajectory. You’ll be pushed, challenged, and surrounded by other builders who think big and move fast.
You don’t need traction, hype, or perfect slides. You need focus, ambition, and the courage to show up raw and ready to learn. If accepted, you’ll join a tight-knit cohort, access a stacked alumni network, and pitch to leading investors on Demo Day. It’s not a safety net—it’s a launchpad.
Funding is often closer than you think — but you need to know where to look. Make a habit of checking these tools regularly and set up alerts where possible to stay ahead.
To explore other funding routes (including crowdfunding, angel investors, or startup loans), check your local government or economic development websites. Many also provide directories of active funds, application guides, and tax incentive programs for early-stage capital.
If you’d like support building your funding strategy—or need help creating the assets investors actually care about—we can help you design a practical, founder-friendly toolbox. Get in touch.
Mastering Business Finances
Get your money right, or nothing else works.
Most businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they run out of money, lose control of their cash flow, or have no clue what their numbers are telling them. This guide is here to help you set up solid financial systems from day one—or course correct if you’ve been winging it.
Our guide will help you set up solid financial systems from day one—or course correct if you’ve been winging it.
