TCF Small Business Program
Up to $50,000 is available for fashion companies to undertake new projects such as purchasing an Enterprise Management System, Ecommerce system or new equipment.
We have a 100% success rate with this grant.
Call us for assistance with your 2013 application.
Overview
The TCF Small Business Program aims to transform the business enterprise culture of established TCF small businesses and boost their capacity to be innovative. A maximum of $50,000 is available for a particular project.
Eligible Applicants
The TCF Small Business Program is open to any eligible established TCF small business or to a consortium that includes an eligible TCF small business.
To be eligible for a grant under the TCF Small Business Program, you must:
- Have fewer than 20 employees.
- Have not received funding from the TCF SIP or BIC Schemes
- Have had a turnover of not less than $100,000 in the previous year, and must be solvent and not under any administrative arrangements.
Eligible Projects
The TCF Small Business Program has traditionally funded projects such as:
- Enterprise Management Systems
- Marketing Planning
- Strategic Planning
- CAD systems
- New equipment
- Ecommerce systems
Funding
A maximum of $50,000 is available for a particular project through the TCF Small Business Program. The maximum applies to any project, regardless of its size or the cash contribution made by the applicant. The applicant must make a cash contribution to the project of no less than 25% of eligible project expenditure.
Timing
Applications for Round 8 close on 1 March 2013.
Expert Assistance
Writing a good quality grant application is a critical element in the application process. An application needs to be well thought through, written concisely, have clear objectives and purpose, and show clear links to the objectives of the grant guidelines.
The grant application must answer all questions, provide all required information and respond to the merit criteria. It should also reflect your organisation’s business strategy.
Writing a good application takes time and effort, and requires particular writing skills.
Bulletpoint are expert grant consultants and can assist with all aspects of grant preparation.
Call us on (03) 9005 6789 or email to discuss further.
We also have 100% success rate with this grant.
More Information
- TCF Small Business Program – Application Form
- TCF Small Business Program – Guidelines
- TCF Small Business Program – FAQ
- TCF Small Business Program – Fact Sheet
- TCF Small Business Program – Assessment Process
Round 7 Recipients
75 textile clothing and footwear companies share in over $2.5M in funding for e-commerce upgrades, enterprise management systems and to undertake strategic and marketing plans. We have 100% success rate in assisting clients to secure this funding.
Some of the recipients to secure over $50,000 in funding include:
- Nicholas - launched in 2005 by Nic Wong, Nicholas is an eponymous label created for the stylish contemporary professional lady of modern times.
- Rembrandt Ties – Leaders in Ties and Corporate Apparel , they supply organisations such as Cricket Australia, Adelaide Sebel, the Romeo Group, Thirsty Camel, Drake Supermarkets and The Animal Welfare League
- Nevenka – Since 2006, Nevenka is a celebration of all things feminine and beautiful. From a sensual draped gown or a structured, tailored jacket, every piece has its own individuality.
|
Applicant Name |
Project Title |
Grant |
| Nicholas the Label | Enterprise Management System |
$55,000 |
| Elsom Holdings | Enterprise Management System |
$55,000 |
| Linda Dugan | Marketing strategy |
$55,000 |
| Hot Sublimation | E-commerce |
$53,625 |
| Rembrandt Ties | Enterprise Management System |
$53,625 |
| Dion Lee Pty Limited | Marketing strategy |
$53,625 |
| Super Trim | Strategic planning |
$53,625 |
| Luxe Industries | Enterprise Management System |
$53,457 |
| Nevenka | Strategic planning |
$51,563 |
| Lisa Maree | Enterprise Management System |
$51,107 |
| Fashionata | Enterprise Management System |
$50,600 |
| Patti Ainalis | Internal manufacturing |
$49,500 |
| Joshua Ker | Strategic planning |
$49,157 |
| Sea Jewells | Strategic planning |
$48,950 |
| Promomotto | Internal manufacturing |
$47,300 |
| Cougar Sportswear (Aust) | Enterprise Management System |
$47,025 |
| Teresa Ann Thomas | Computer aided design |
$46,409 |
| Adam Andrew Charles Coombes | Enterprise Management System |
$46,118 |
| L.M.B. Knitwear | Enterprise Management System |
$44,550 |
| Adelaide Trimmings | Computer aided design |
$44,275 |
| The Social Studio Inc. | Marketing strategy |
$44,055 |
| Roshan Textile | Strategic planning |
$42,900 |
| A Gallagher & N.R Hargreaves | Internal manufacturing |
$42,362 |
| Outdoor Clothing Concepts | E-commerce |
$42,350 |
| Birdee Golf Apparel | Marketing strategy |
$41,899 |
| Life With Bird | Enterprise Management System |
$41,327 |
| Gary Bigeni | E-commerce |
$41,250 |
| We Are Handsome | Enterprise Management System |
$41,168 |
| Shona Joy | E-commerce |
$40,996 |
| Loading Dock Consultants | E-commerce |
$40,722 |
| JuicyBear | Enterprise Management System |
$40,108 |
| CCNL | Marketing strategy |
$38,486 |
| D.W. & C.A. Mackender | Marketing strategy |
$38,045 |
| Oscar & Guillermina Gaona | Internal manufacturing |
$37,565 |
| Just Dare Sportivo Hosiery | Strategic planning |
$37,125 |
| Fragile | Internal manufacturing |
$36,830 |
| Walter Michael Hancock | Enterprise Management System |
$36,300 |
| Access Clothing | Internal manufacturing |
$34,715 |
| Black Henry | Marketing strategy |
$34,309 |
| Scorpion Group | Computer aided design |
$33,000 |
| Tato and Memi | Strategic planning |
$33,000 |
| Celia Rothwell Morris | Marketing strategy |
$32,010 |
| Ocean Magic | Computer aided design |
$31,900 |
| Three Lambs | Strategic planning |
$30,906 |
| Kelly and Windsor Australia | E-commerce |
$30,377 |
| Vanguard Fashion | Enterprise Management System |
$29,150 |
| Magdalena Velevska | Strategic planning |
$28,875 |
| Brigid McLaughlin | E-commerce |
$28,800 |
| Julia Ann Van Der Sommen | E-commerce |
$28,710 |
| Strummer Design | E-commerce |
$28,710 |
| Elevate Sports | Strategic planning |
$26,147 |
| 20seven | Marketing strategy |
$25,431 |
| Fiona Gange | Internal manufacturing |
$24,813 |
| Blue Swimmer Group | E-commerce |
$24,750 |
| Joosie | E-commerce |
$24,750 |
| Deaiz Holdings | Computer aided design |
$24,200 |
| Fraser & Hughes | Computer aided design |
$24,145 |
| ae’lkemi | Marketing strategy |
$24,068 |
| Kahlo Proprietary Limited | E-commerce |
$23,885 |
| Jelajen | Strategic planning |
$22,275 |
| L.M Cameron & T.S Rose | E-commerce |
$21,450 |
| An Ode To No One | E-commerce |
$21,417 |
| Trois | E-commerce |
$20,460 |
| Elegantly Scant | Strategic planning |
$19,800 |
| Melinda & Narina | Marketing strategy |
$19,635 |
| High Tea with Mrs Woo | Marketing strategy |
$18,744 |
| Betty Annette Rowsell | Internal manufacturing |
$18,035 |
| Katie Jane Howell | Computer aided design |
$17,886 |
| J.L Hayes & S.M Hayes & Rytiko | Internal manufacturing |
$17,325 |
| Custom Compression Clothing | Internal manufacturing |
$15,915 |
| Cheeky Dogs | Marketing strategy |
$14,190 |
| Sonya Alba-Miller & Liana Alba | E-commerce |
$14,025 |
| Performance Fabrics | Strategic planning |
$11,963 |
| Simone Bode | E-commerce |
$10,905 |
Case Study – Smitten Merino
Smitten by fine merino garments
It is no exaggeration that Smitten Merino’s garments are fit for a king (or prince).
The company’s fine merino garments are so well regarded that they were selected as gifts for Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during their tour of Tasmania in November 2012.
Smitten Merino designs high performance outdoor wear and stylish fashion garments using fine Australian merino wool.
Smitten Merino was formed in 2007 by Carl Mason, a former furniture maker, and his wife Nicola, who has a flair for design. The couple wanted to start a business that would support their strong commitment to Tasmanian farmers and manufacturers.
The result is Smitten Merino, which designs high performance outdoor wear and stylish fashion garments using fine Australian merino wool.
Carl says two grants from the Australian Government’s Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Small Business program have helped the company significantly improve productivity and competitiveness. Before being awarded the first grant in 2010, the company turned over just $100,000 – now that figure is $1 million.
“Last year our online sales for November were $2,000, this year for the same month they were $12, 000,” Carl said.
Smitten Merino’s first TCF Small Business Program grant of $45,920 marked a major change in the company’s direction.
A strategic plan recommended building an effective online presence. Smitten’s e-commerce enabled website has been a major success for the company, with online sales increasing by 400 per cent in the first six months.
A second grant, for $29,500, was awarded a year later, and helped unify production and design functions. This was achieved by installing a CAD (computer-aided design) system to improve the design, quality and speed of producing garments.
“The first TCF grant turned our business around by enabling us to have a really good website, and the increase in sales has been outstanding,” Carl said.
“Being able to sell our goods online means we can deal directly with our customers, making our business much more productive and competitive.“
Our next step is to translate our website into Korean and Japanese. We know that we are getting lots of initial hits from these markets, but these potential customers need to be able to read our website.”
Carl says the CAD system led to major improvements for the business, especially as the company which manufactures the garments – Tasmanian Clothing Company – also received a TCF Small Business Program grant to install the same technology.
“The CAD system means we can email patterns to our manufacturer and alter patterns with ease. It is absolutely brilliant. We had thought about purchasing this machinery before but weren’t prepared to take the risk. The CAD forced us to move from cutting patterns in the traditional way by hand, and as a result we’ve been able to make considerable savings because wastage is reduced.
“It’s been one of the best business decisions we’ve made. Our business is now much more productive and competitive.”
Carl says that Smitten Merino’s success is flowing onto other small businesses in Tasmania.
“We have been supported fantastically by the Tasmanian Clothing Company, a family-owned clothing manufacturer in northern Tasmania,” said Carl.
“Their philosophy of Australian made and keeping jobs in Australia is the same as ours.”
Smitten’s garments are manufactured in Devonport, and are sold in 20 stores, as well as online.
As well as being presented to Prince Charles and Camilla, Smitten was worn by former MP Pat Farmer during his successful quest to run from the North Pole to South Pole to raise money for charity last year.
