
Catalysing Impact
QBE Foundation Grants
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What is Catalysing Impact?
Powered by Social Impact Hub and funded by QBE Foundation, Catalysing Impact empowers impact enterprises and purpose-driven businesses with solutions that help to address climate resilience or inclusion through funding and capability building.
Organisations are invited to apply for a share of $1,000,000 matched funding.
We’re looking for enterprises with…
A Vision for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future
Whether it’s benefiting marginalised communities or tackling systemic change, we’re seeking enterprises that help to address climate resilience or inclusion.
A Proven Ability to Innovate and Think Big
Innovation drives impact. We seek enterprises with groundbreaking solutions to global challenges.
If your enterprise thrives on creativity and adaptability and has a clear scaling strategy, we’re eager to support your next level.
Investment-Readiness
We’re searching for enterprises actively engaging with funders. If you’re looking to secure investment, Catalysing Impact offers a unique chance to fast-track your progress and growth with matched funding.
Catalysing Impact offers…
Access to Funding
Unlock catalytic funding for your enterprise. With participation grants of $10,000 and the opportunity to secure part of a $1,000,000 matched funding pool, you’ll have the financial support to amplify your impact and attract external investments.
Tailored Advisory
Enhance your capacity with tailored consulting from the Professional Impact Network. From diagnostics to strategic planning and impact measurement, experts will provide the insights and guidance needed to navigate challenges, optimise operations, and achieve your growth and social impact goals.
Skilled Employee Engagement
Connect with QBE’s professional network. Through structured volunteering projects, hackathons, and live crowdfunding opportunities, you’ll gain access to valuable insights, specialised expertise, and solutions to help tackle challenges and unlock new growth opportunities.
Holistic Two-Stage Approach
Catalysing Impact’s unique structure supports enterprises through a phased approach, beginning with capacity building and participation funding, and progressing to matched grants for further development. Whether you’re a startup or an established organisation, Catalysing Impact will help turn your vision into a reality.
Overview
Catalysing Impact takes an impact-first approach, empowering enterprises dedicated to climate resilience or inclusion to successfully secure investment.
Purpose
Cataylsing Impact is designed to enhance capability development and catalyse investment into purpose-driven enterprises that focus on climate resilience or inclusion.
Target Enterprises
Australian incorporated enterprises, regardless of their stage - whether startups, early-stage ventures, or established organisations - are encouraged to apply. Catalysing Impact will initially focus on Australian-based enterprises, with plans to expand internationally in the future.
Impact Focus
Catalysing Impact aims to support innovative solutions that address climate resilience or inclusion, impact areas that align with QBE Foundation's strategy.
Eligibility
The ideal participants are enterprises actively engaging with funders or investors and ready to use grant funding as leverage to attract additional capital. Applicants should demonstrate readiness for growth and a commitment to building capacity.
Structure
Catalysing Impact will begin in March 2025, with a maximum of 10 enterprises selected.
By incorporating a two-staged grant process, Catalysing Impact allows enterprises to utilise 'in principle' commitments to secure investment.
Stage 1 (April - August 2025): Selected enterprises will each receive a $10,000 grant to ensure they can engage in several strategically designed capability-building initiatives, including tailored professional advisory, mentoring, hackathons, skilled volunteering and more.
Stage 2 (July - August 2025): Selected enterprises can apply for funding between $150K–$400K, matched to the external investment they have secured, as well as the opportunity to pitch at a live crowdfunding event.
Leverage grant funding to help secure investment and strengthen your enterprise’s future through bespoke capability-building opportunities.
Applications have closed. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of upcoming programs.
FAQs
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The program aims to support enterprises in creating solutions that address climate resilience or promote inclusion through catalytic funding and tailored capability-building support.
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The program is open to incorporated enterprises at any stage - startups, early-stage ventures, or established organisations - that focus on climate resilience or inclusion. Currently, it is limited to enterprises based in Australia, but there are plans for international expansion in the future. Eligible applicants should have started discussions with funders or investors and show readiness to engage in funding and capability-building processes.
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The program has a two-stage funding process:
Stage 1 provides initial participation grants of $10,000.
Stage 2 offers the opportunity to apply for additional matched grants ranging from $150,000 to $400,000 for enterprises that demonstrate tangible progress and secure external funding commitments. Stage 2 funding acts as catalytic capital, encouraging other investors and funders to co-invest by matching the grants provided. This approach helps enterprises secure broader financial support and positions them for long-term growth and sustainability.
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Yes, enterprises that have already received funding are still eligible to apply. The program is designed to catalyse additional investment, making prior funding an advantage as it demonstrates your enterprise’s credibility and potential. To qualify, you should have started conversations with funders or investors and be ready to use the program’s grants to secure even more capital. The program seeks to enhance your capability to scale further by leveraging existing funding as a foundation for growth and deeper impact.
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The program welcomes enterprises across various sectors, provided their work aligns with the focus areas of climate resilience and inclusion.
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The tailored advisory involves enterprises working with highly skilled professionals from the Professional Impact Network (PIN) on areas where bespoke support is required. The Impact Investment Readiness diagnostic will identify critical areas where tailored advisory support can have the greatest impact.
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Applicants should submit well-prepared EOIs that clearly align with the program’s objectives, demonstrate strong social impact potential, show readiness to raise additional funding, and convey enthusiasm for engaging in the program’s capability-building activities.
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While some program activities may involve in-person events or opportunities, the program is designed to be accessible to enterprises across Australia.
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There is no cost to selected enterprises to participate in the program.
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If you have any additional questions that are not answered here please get in touch with us via the form on our contact page.
Catalysing Impact is…
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