Women in rural, regional and remote communities have fewer employment opportunities compared to their city cousins. They might have great ideas but many do not know how to execute them to turn that idea into a business. While almost half of new business ventures in Australia are founded outside the metropolitan areas, less than 3 per cent of those are by women.
Women outside cities face significant barriers when it comes to business or venture development, however, rural women are often hidden economic drivers in rural communities. Many women are looking to establish a business or expand an existing business but struggle to validate their ideas/products/services, access venture capital, develop supportive networks or enhance their business acumen.
USQ’s Institute for Resilient Regions recognised the need and created a research and capacity building program to advance women in rural, regional and remote enterprises.