Program overview
Who is it for?
Women founded and led organisations that are at the early investment stage of their business journey. If you're looking to enhance your investment readiness, this program is for you.
What are the grant/program objectives?
The program will equip female founders with the necessary tools and knowledge to successfully navigate an investment raise.
What does it involve?
The Queensland Government has partnered with TORUS VC to deliver its Circle Community program to female founders selected through an EOI process.
What are the grant/program goals?
The program aims to:
- Enhance investment readiness and increase the chances of a successful funding round.
- Foster a supportive community of women entrepreneurs.
What will recipients get?
Selected participants will receive:
- Access to the TORUS Circle Community.
- Cap raise roadmap.
- Raising toolkits.
- Investor list.
- Expert webinars.
- Raise prep graduation process.
- Weekly group raise prep coaching call.
- Weekly group investor CRM coaching call.
- Guided cap raise and marketing roadmap.
- Pitch deck reviews.
- Investor and advisor matching.
- Partner introductions.
How do you apply?
Expressions of Interest (EOI) opens 4 November and closes 3pm 18 November 2025.
- Application Process
- Submit Your EOI
- Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI). Eligible applicants will receive a link to complete the Torus Investment Readiness Assessment.
- Complete the Torus Investment Readiness Assessment
- Answer 25 strategic questions and upload key documents. Gain valuable insights into your investment readiness.
- Joint Review
- Applications will be reviewed by Torus and Queensland Government Innovation Division representatives, assessing business fundamentals and growth potential.
- Selection & Onboarding
Don't miss this opportunity to unlock your startup's potential through access to tools and knowledge to help you succeed!
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for funding, organisations must:
- be a business headquartered in Queensland (operating and having its head office located in Queensland)
- have an active ABN registered in Queensland
- be majority female owned: have at least 51% of shares held by a woman/women
- have no more than 50 full-time-equivalent employees
- not be a subsidiary of a group of companies that has more than 50 full-time-equivalent employees in total
- stage of product/service development
Resources
There are also numerous events and resources to support founder investment education. Below are some resources:
- Advance Queensland Female Founders LinkedIn group
- The Precinct
- The Precinct Resources
- Business Queensland – Fund your business growth
- Business support and grant writing information
- Queensland Government Grants Finder
- Business Queensland support for early businesses and women in business
- Ignite Program
- LegalVision – Event recordings and Webinars
- Cake Equity – Equity Resource Guides
- AirTree open source investor list (not an endorsement of investors)
- Advance Queensland Event Recordings
- YCombinator Resources
- Dealroom provides useful tools and information for investment in Queensland
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