Assembly Store
A coffee and tea shop in Carlton, established in 2013 to provide delicious, interesting, and meaningfully sourced products.
Funding will be used to expand and enhance their tea offering, supporting their position as a leader in wholesale and retail tea, and expanding their physical presence to a new store in North Melbourne.
Alliance Francaise Melbourne
Founded in 1890, this not-for-profit association is dedicated to the promotion of French language and culture, and the largest language centre for French in Victoria.
Funding will enable the business to diversify their revenue streams with the creation of an outdoor bookable event space for workshops, film screenings and other activities in their new CBD premises.
The Blender Art Studios
Founded in 2001, this creative enterprise has grown in step with Melbourne’s vibrant urban art movement and serve as home to over 20 resident artists and offers tours and workshops.
Funding will be attributed to setting up an Art Cafe and Paint Lab, with renovations and fit-out at the heart of their proposal, enhancing the studio's offerings and creating a vibrant community hub.
Criteria Coffee
This Melbourne based premier co-roastery was created to bring together a community of cafes and coffee businesses, offering brands and individuals expert support within a cutting-edge facility.
Funding will enable accreditation to run internationally recognised training programs along with expanding their training capacity and purchasing new equipment.
Fieldwork Coffee
Operating in Melbourne’s famous Degraves Street, this operation is one of Melbourne’s modern micro-roastery's, dedicated to sourcing, roasting and serving the best coffee in the world.
The funding will revitalise their shopfront premises, increasing their capacity to serve more customers and enhance dedicated spaces for coffee tasting sessions and events.
Kieroy
Led by founder Kieran Jackson, this retailer is a handcrafted jewellery brand creating high quality timeless pieces, specialising in customisable made to order pieces.
Funding will transform their studio space relocation from Fitzroy to the CBD into a new retail store, develop a new website and purchase 3D modelling software to expand their unique product offering.
Knovus
Finalist for 2022’s Lord Mayor Small Business of the Year, this innovative company is dedicated to transforming advanced manufacturing through 3D knitting technology, focusing on promoting sustainability, zero-waste production, and circular economy principles.
Funding will enable completion and launch of their unique 3D knitting technology, establish an in-house studio and enhance their online and shopfront presence to expand their offer globally.
Kuwaii
Established in 2008 by designer Kristy Barber, this popular retail trader operates in Cathedral Place with most of its clothing and footwear made in Melbourne and accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia.
Funding will be used to deliver a store fit out expansion that will streamline the space with enhanced lighting and signage and enable them to increase their offer by delivering workshops and events.
Maternal and Infant Wellbeing Melbourne
A women’s health and perinatal clinic that offers holistic, evidence-based care to Melbourne families while fostering a modern-day village to support new families to thrive.
Funding is for the fit-out of an adjacent tenancy to expand the offering with unique mental and physical health services to new mothers in a purpose-built, inclusive facility.
Maternal and Infant Wellbeing Melbourne website External link
Mindspace Consulting
A finalist for 2024’s Lord Mayor Small Business Innovation Award, this multicultural psychology and digital mental health service is addressing the unique needs of Melbourne’s diverse communities, particularly Chinese and Asian populations.
Funding will enhance their services and open new markets by developing a new series of culturally relevant video content and livestreamed interactive webinars, focusing on reducing the stigma around mental health in CALD communities.
Nubilum Distilling
A local distillery producing award-winning versions of Eastern European spirits using traditional methods and operates a cellar door in Kensington.
The funding will go towards setting up their new storage site allowing them to expand by moving to full production of their distilled spirits.
Oak Park Studio
A female founded graphic design studio and publisher, internationally recognised for publishing the independent cultural storytelling magazine, 'Lindsay'.
Funding will enable the business to expand its reach with the globally recognised Lindsay Collection, launching a new product that spotlights Melbourne as the inaugural city in an exciting cultural series celebrating art, nature, and travel experiences.
RespectX
A female founded tech business providing employers with a secure, trusted platform to receive and respond to reports of workplace sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination.
Funding will enable software improvements to their workplace prevention software for the university sector and creating training videos as part of an awareness campaign.
T.I.N.A (This Is Not Alcohol)
Launched in 2021, this enterprise specialises in the creation of high quality, natural non-alcoholic drink alternatives, showcasing unique products using sustainable ingredients without artificial colours or flavours.
Funding will enable research and development of new drink flavours along with improving packaging of the new product.
Urban Antidote
A modern floral design business specialising in bespoke floral designs, alongside a growing range of floral workshops and educational offerings.
Funding will enable the expansion into new headquarters, upgrading facilities to enable functional floral education and demonstration space, and enhance participant and customer experience on-site.
Other recipients
