The gender funding gap in Australia’s startup scene has long been a topic of frustration. In 2023, just 12% of funded deals went to all-female founding teams, while all-male teams captured 62%, according to Cut Through Ventures. But one organisation, Tech Ready Women (TRW), is determined to change that narrative—and it’s getting some serious backing from Westpac.
This month, TRW is taking its flagship Investment Ready Program national for the first time, a significant milestone after seven years of success in New South Wales and Victoria, and a recent expansion into Queensland.
The program is laser-focused on equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools, confidence, and networks they need to raise capital and scale their startups. Over five months, the selected founders will dive deep into the skills and strategies necessary to attract funding, while being part of a supportive community built for female founders.
Westpac’s support is pivotal, allowing TRW to offer 20 places in the program at a dramatically reduced cost. Thanks to the bank’s sponsorship, the $6,295 fee drops to $795.30 for participants.
Levelling the Playing Field
At the helm of TRW is Carolyn Breeze, Chief Executive Officer of Scalare Partners, the tech accelerator that owns TRW. For Breeze, the national rollout isn’t just about scale—it’s about addressing inequities in the startup ecosystem.
“The sector is realising that if it is going to be successful, it needs to assist all founders who have a scalable startup,” she says.
Australia’s startup sector has produced some standout global successes, but Breeze is adamant that the lack of diversity is holding it back from its full potential. “We believe more diversity will help drive important change across the industry,” she says.
Why Westpac Is On Board
For Westpac, the partnership with TRW aligns with its broader mission to support women in business. Managing Director of Business Lending, Tamara Bryden, points to the bank’s $500 million commitment to female entrepreneurs as a reflection of that mission.
“Westpac is proud to partner with Tech Ready Women to help fund the Investment Ready Program,” says Bryden. “We look forward to seeing the women invested in the program take their businesses to the next level.”
The partnership reflects a growing awareness among institutions like Westpac that levelling the playing field isn’t just socially beneficial—it’s good business.
A Proven Formula
TRW has already helped over 3,000 women founders navigate the often-intimidating world of tech and startups. Programs like the Investment Ready Program and the Female Founder Start-Up initiative offer participants more than just skills; they provide a network of mentors, advisors, and like-minded peers to keep founders moving forward.
As the program opens up nationally, the model remains the same: founders need a scalable solution, a formal company structure, and some evidence of traction—such as first customers or revenue. The program’s structure ensures participants are ready to engage with investors by the time they graduate.
A Vision for the Future
TRW’s national expansion couldn’t come at a better time. Geographical barriers are shrinking, and the appetite for innovative businesses is growing, particularly among female-led ventures that bring fresh perspectives to tech and innovation.
With Westpac’s backing and a growing track record of success, TRW is poised to make a significant dent in Australia’s gender funding gap.
If the Investment Ready Program can achieve at a national level what it has already done regionally, it will mean more capital in the hands of women entrepreneurs and, ultimately, a stronger, more diverse startup ecosystem for Australia.
For women founders ready to take the leap, the opportunity to join the program—and the national stage—is one they won’t want to miss.
