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GRANT
CHALLENGE
ABOUT THE LIFT ANGELS GRANT CHALLENGE
Backing bold women.
Building the future.
The Lift Angels Grant is back — bigger, bolder, and flying higher.
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$20,000 in matched funding is up for grabs for women founders ready to rise.
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Since 2022, Lift Angels has helped women across Australia and Asia launch ideas, raise capital, and scale globally. From first campaigns to million-dollar raises — we’ve been the launchpad for women-led innovation.
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Now, we’re taking everything we’ve learned and putting wings on it — empowering the next generation of founders to crowdfund, grow, and pitch for a $5,000 grant.
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Because when women rise, the world changes.
Meet our previous winners
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Dr Zoë Condliffe
From Founder to Leader — Our first ever Lift Angels grant winner
When Dr Zoë Condliffe won the very first Lift Angels Grant in 2022, she raised $15,000 on the LIFTWOMEN® platform for her startup She’s A Crowd — now the world’s largest geospatial database of gender-based violence.
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That early vote of confidence helped propel She’s A Crowd into an award-winning, globally recognised social enterprise. Since then, Zoë has received the Boosting Female Founders Grant, been backed by Coralus, and won multiple national awards including the Telstra Best of Business Award. She’s become one of Australia’s most respected voices in gender equity, social impact innovation, and tech-for-good.
Now, she’s come full circle — stepping into leadership at LIFTWOMEN® Group as Director of Growth & Impact.
“The Lift Angels Grant didn’t just give me funding — it gave me belief. It showed me what happens when women back women, and that belief has multiplied across every founder I’ve mentored since. Now, as Director of Growth & Impact at LIFTWOMEN, I get to pay that forward and help other women take flight.”
- Dr Zoë Condliffe
Director of Growth and Impact LIFTWOMEN® Group
2023 Winner
Compassion Creamery
Sarah Qian
In 2023, chemical engineer turned founder Sarah Qian won the LIFTWOMEN® Female Founder Grant Challenge for Compassion Creamery — a vegan, nut-free, soy-free oat “cream cheese” brand made with 100% Australian oats.
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She went on to secure the Boosting Female Founders Grant and multiple industry accolades, including The Hive Awards’ Rising Star.
2024 Winner
Ovum AI
Dr Ariella Heffernan-Marks
In 2024, Dr Ariella won the $20,000 LIFTWOMEN® APAC Grant Challenge for Ovum, an AI platform using women’s health data to close diagnostic gaps.
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That early boost helped Ovum secure a $1.7 million pre-seed raise in 2025 — fast-tracking its mission to revolutionise women’s health equity.
2025 Winner
GreenHip Workwear
Liv
In 2025, Olivia Thwaites won the LIFTWOMEN® Lift Angels Grant, going on to oversubscribe her “We Belong Here” crowdfunding campaign for Green Hip Workwear — Australia’s first functional, feminine workwear brand for women in trades.
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That momentum led to a major international launch through Bunnings Warehouse, expanding Green Hip’s mission to empower women in every workplace.
Your turn to take flight
Ready to go from
0 to 1?
We believe that every woman has the potential to achieve greatness and make a difference in the world. We are committed to empowering women and girls to embrace who they are, define their future, and change the world.​​
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
Winner's Package
When women founders get their wings, they fly.​
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1 / $5,000 Matched Funding
Fuel your campaign, growth, and early traction.
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2 / 12-Month Premium Access
Valued at $365AUD. Access our full suite of upcoming founder tools & education, including:
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AI-assisted grant & campaign writing tools
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Pitch development support
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Financial modelling tools
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Courses, masterclasses & workshops
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Founder events & coaching
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Community + peer support
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Data room with investor view
Note: Top 10 finalists will also receive 12-month premium access.
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3 / The Halo Package
Valued at $5000. Build brand awareness and credibility with:​
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Professional media interview + media release
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Newsletter spotlight (20,000+ reach)
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30–45s founder feature Reel
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Paid promotional support
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Social + newsletter amplification
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Virtual pitch event showcase
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Optional warm introductions to mentors/investors
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4 / Angels Alumni Community
Ongoing support long after the challenge ends:
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Peer-to-peer community
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LIFTWOMEN networking events + founder circles
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Access to shared learning + resource library
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Ongoing visibility opportunities such as public speaking, social media and web features, introductions, etc
Trusted & Supported By:
KEY DATES
Your journey to funding starts here.
OCT - NOV 2025
DEC - FEB 2025
Register your interest
Fill out the EOI to stay informed of grant updates and opportunities
Apply
You simply need to create a Crowdfunding Project on our new platform - your project IS your application
MARCH 2025
Pitch & Training
10 Finalists will be selected to pitch at our virtual pitch night!
You will receive exclusive access to our mini crowdfunding and pitch bootcamp
APRIL 2025
Winners Announced
We will announce the winners of the Lift Angels Grant Challenge
How it works
No long forms. No red tape. Just launch, grow, and rise.
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Launch your campaign
Your crowdfunding campaign is your application! Show us your idea, story, and impact — that’s it.
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Get seen and supported
As your campaign gains traction, you’ll automatically be in the running for the Lift Angels Grant.
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Win and rise
Four founders will each receive a $5,000 grant, visibility, mentoring, and access to our founder network.
Who can apply?
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You’re a female founder, or at least 50% of your business or organisation is run by women OR you're a sole trader who identifies as a woman
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Your business or organisation is registered or operating in Australia, New Zealand or Asia.
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You are willing to upload your business or organisation registration proof (you can be a sole trader)
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You’re prepared to launch and manage a crowdfunding campaign as part of the Lift Angels Grant Challenge
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You’re passionate about creating positive impact — whether through innovation, creativity, or community-driven change.
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You’re open to learning, mentorship, and collaboration through the Liftable platform and community.
REAL FUNDING, REAL GROWTH
Why Apply ?
Crowdfunding Success
Launch your campaign with expert guidance.
Get exclusive access to coaching, resources, and tools — plus mentoring from seasoned founders who will help you build a campaign that converts and a brand that shines.
Matched Funding
Exclusive opportunity to access and win a total grant prize pool of AU$20,000 in non-dilutive funding to elevate your success. Pitch your transformative idea on an international stage to a curated group of potential backers, partners, investors, and industry leaders.
Tailored Marketing & PR Support
Stand out where it matters.
Receive personalised marketing mentorship, PR exposure, and pitch coaching to help you tell your story powerfully and reach a wider audience.
Community Boost
Join an uplifting network of women founders, coaches, and investors who want to see you win.
Finalists win a complimentary membership for one year — connecting you to masterclasses, collaborations, and support that lasts long after the challenge.
Inspiration and Impact
Be the role model someone else is waiting for.
Lift Angels celebrates founders who prove that profit and purpose can thrive together — inspiring the next generation of women to dream bigger and lead boldly.
Global Reach
Take your idea to the world.
As part of the Lift Angels Grant Challenge, your project will gain international visibility across the LIFTWOMEN networks — opening doors to media, investors, and international growth opportunities.
As Seen In:
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Start Learning. Start Building.
Before the Lift Angels Grant Challenge opens, we’ll help you get ready to rise.
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When you register, you’ll unlock access to free training, live masterclasses, 1:1 guidance, and step-by-step resources to build your campaign with confidence.
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From idea to launch, our expert team and founder community will help you refine your story, design your rewards, and get investor-ready — so when applications open, you’re already in flight.
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You’re not doing this alone — we’ll guide you every step of the way.
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WHY CHOOSE US ?
​Our Impact
​Collectively, along with our funded founders, we've supported over 200,000 communities and created hundreds of employment opportunties. We traced the footsteps of Ira Puspita, one of our successful founders, to visit the artisans in Bali supported by her business, Kayu&Co. Witnessing the life-changing impact our empowered founders are making in their broader communities fills our hearts and motivates us to keep going.
LIFTWOMEN® is a truly empowering platform that has transformed my entrepreneurial journey. As a 23 yo female entrepreneur from the Philippines, I've faced numerous challenges in securing funding and support. LIFTWOMEN® not only provided the financial boost I needed through their grant program, but they also offered a supportive community that genuinely believes in the power of women-led businesses. Their dedication to uplifting women is evident in every aspect of their work, from the resources they provide to the genuine care they show for each project. With the $10k in grants and crowdfunding I received, we've been able to grow our socials to over 160k followers, launch our first digital product, and onboard thousands of students. LIFTWOMEN® has empowered us to achieve more than we ever thought possible!
- Anna Beatriz Suavengco,
Founder of Urban Farmer TV | People's Choice Award Winner