Beekeeper Parade
An up-and-coming retailer manufacturing bags, travel goods and accessories using up-cycled and recycled clothes (from the public) and discarded or donated fabrics (from industry). Beekeeper Parade are receiving $30,000 to fit out for their first long-term lease in their new Centre Place shopfront.
Christian Kimber
The 2019 National Designer of the Year, Christian Kimber is an independently owned, Melbourne-based Australian menswear label established in 2015. Promoting sustainability and responsible consumption their vision is to become the ‘Ralph Lauren of Australia’. Christian Kimber are receiving $30,000 to fit out their new flagship retail store in Melbourne.
Critical Hit
Specialist retail store primarily engaged in importing merchandise for popular culture, with a large focus on Anime and Gaming series from Japan. Established in 2010, they import items that are typically not readily accessible in Australia. Critical Hit are receiving $19,091 to purchase equipment and fit out for their new store and event space to enable hosting of social games and gatherings.
Killara Cafe
This social enterprise established in 2022 assists Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people to gain sustainable employment and will establish a café on Collins Street in a space that has been vacant for over three years. Killara Cafe are receiving $30,000 to upgrade the existing fit-out to open their first cafe.
Le Yeahllow
A specialty cake shop offering celebratory cakes, handcrafted pastries, and individual cakes. They established themselves in South Yarra and recently opened their new store in the CBD. Le Yeahllow are receiving $30,000 to re-build their website, upgrade their operational technology, and improve their customer facilities.
Mork Chocolate
These Melbourne based makers of specialty; ethically sourced hot chocolate opened their first North Melbourne café in 2012. They have since opened a 'Chocolate Factory' in North Melbourne, cafes in Equitable Lane and the Queen Victoria Market and export their chocolate overseas. Mork Chocolate are receiving $27,273 to fit out their new café and cocktail bar in Centre Place.
Nosh
A Japanese-inspired fast-food eatery offering a health-conscious menu, which includes gluten-free and vegan choices. Nosh are receiving $30,000 to fit out of their fourth store, a long-vacant shopfront unoccupied for over three years.
Peek 'a' Bras
A manufacturing and retail business designing globally awarded bra skin products that are Australian made, striving to seamlessly blend style, comfort, and adaptability into a singular product. Peekabras are receiving $29,945 to fit out their new retail space in Kensington.
Sphere Wellness Studio
A bespoke fitness training and recovery centre will add to the diverse business mix in North Melbourne with their holistic physical and mental health service, targeting pre- and post-natal along with older clientele. Sphere Wellness Studio are receiving $25,545 to purchase specialised equipment to fit-out their new studio on Errol Street.
The following recipients were successful in our Open stream
A.BCH
This circular fashion label, focused on producing ethical and sustainable clothing, is developing a Circular Sourcing digital platform to reuse unused material held by designers, mills, and manufacturers, diverting it from landfill. A.BCH are receiving $18,740 to enhance and further test the digital platform’s marketplace function.
BrainCast
A medical software development company specialising in head injuries to athletes, like concussion. They are developing innovative AI-based technology that provides proactive neurologic health monitoring and MRI analysis of athletes, including children, of sports like AFL, Rugby League and Rugby Union.
BrainCast are receiving $15,382 to upgrade their computing technology to increase their research and product development capacity.
Fifth Harvest
This vertical farming start-up was established in 2022 with a mission to redefine the future of farming by utilising unused urban space to grow food. Their advanced vertical farming growing system strives for sustainable and cost-effective production of nutritious food in the urban environment. Fifth Harvest are receiving $19,957 to develop the next version of their micro-farm grow unit.
Film Never Die
A uniquely community-driven film photography space and retail store selling new and second-hand film cameras and running photo walks for photography enthusiasts. Film Never Die are receiving $20,000 to integrate self-serve stations and improve the accessibility of their community and exhibition space.
HEX
A start-up that aims to shake up traditional education formats by delivering innovative learning via immersive and virtual experiences. They are targeting the next generation of leaders by supporting them to unlock their potential and kickstart their entrepreneurial careers. The Hacker Exchange is receiving $20,000 to enhance their educational operations and media production capabilities.
Mr Cuff
Local tailor, Jarrod Cuff, designs and manufactures bespoke high-end suits whilst providing the unique opportunity to see the creative process in action with his Howey Place shopfront workshop. Mr Cuff are receiving $19,998 to expand their product line and increase capacity with an extra workstation.
Navi Medical Technologies
An innovative medical technology company developing fit-for-purpose products to deliver care to critically ill newborns and children including their new medical device tracking catheter location in real-time called Neonav. Navi Medical Technologies Pty Ltd are receiving $19,827 to establish a physical presence for their prototype and upgrade their website and digital animation product video for Neonav.
Patsy’s
This vegetarian Mediterranean-inspired wine bar uses produce from their own farm in Victoria's central highlands and neighbouring Queen Victoria Market, to provide meat-free cuisine and vegan wines based on seasonal, regenerative agricultural and sustainable vineyard practices. Patsy’s are receiving $18,740 to upgrade their restaurant facilities and improve their sustainable food waste practices.
Regen Studios Pty Ltd
Local production company that has built a compelling reputation with films 2040, That Sugar Film and Regenerating Australia. Regen Studios are receiving $20,000 to build an educational portal for teachers to develop curriculum based on their films and their aim to build an understanding of regeneration principles and inspire solutions to ecological and social issues.
Savic Motorcycles
An Australian design and production company, who want to shape a sustainable, thrilling and zero-carbon transport future, have developed a high-performance electric motorcycle. Savic Motorcycles Pty Ltd are receiving $20,000 to fit out and open their first showroom in Melbourne.
Supaw Pet Bakery
This unique bakery specialises in making bespoke birthday cakes for your favourite 'fluffy' kid that are not just delicious but healthy and nutritious. Supaw Pet Bakery are receiving $18,182 to upgrade their facilities to increase their production capacity and expand their customer base to interstate.
Virtetic
A digital health company developing a world-first immersive technology and gamification solutions to assist people living with limb loss to transition to life with a prosthesis. Virtetic are receiving $19,858 to work towards a product launch of their game-based virtual reality therapeutics for the prosthetics industry.
Willows & Wine
A café/wine bar transitioning beyond a traditional hospitality venue to a hybrid entertainment, event, and experiences space with a focus on hosting workshops, tastings, and literature events for women and gender diverse communities. Willows & Wine are receiving $18,091 to create a new hybrid event space to complement their existing offerings.
Yesign
This specialty retail chocolate gallery offers a unique and immersive experience where customers partake in hands-on chocolate painting experiences.Yesign are receiving $18,000 to upgrade their workshop floor, improve accessibility, purchase more sustainable equipment, and enhance their online shopping platform.
Your Hart2Hart Counselling
A holistic NDIS-accredited, B-Corp registered disability support service empowering those living with disabilities to live fulfilling and enriched lives through group activities, counselling, psychology services and short-term respite. Your Hart2Hart are receiving $15,455 to upgrade their IT equipment and improve client engagement by rebuilding their website to incorporate Artificial Intelligence technology.