Accelerating progress for female entrepreneurs with Apropela & Optus

In an early celebration of International Women’s Day, Wednesday 6 March 2024 marked the launch of Optus’ partnership with Apropela to champion the next generation of female entrepreneurs. 

It was particularly apt timing given that the theme set by the United Nations for 2024 is: Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.  

More than 80 influential business and community leaders gathered at Optus HQ in Melbourne’s docklands at a fabulous networking event showcasing three talented and ambitious female entrepreneurs looking to make connections that will fuel their business growth. 

Emma Jensen, VP Small Business at Optus launched the official partnership, whereby Optus will support Kate Harper, Apropela CEO, and her team in their quest to positively impact gender inequality and provide female leaders with a platform to accelerate growth in their businesses.

“The ongoing support and participation of our partners is recognition of the important work Apropela undertakes in accelerating the growth of emerging businesses founded and led by female entrepreneurs. Our corporate partners share the ambition to positively impact gender inequity and promote women’s wealth and business leadership.” – Kate Harper, Apropela CEO

Image Source: Katy Barfield CEO and Founder, Yume

The team at Yume are food waste fighters with a smart, automated tech platform that prevents food products going to waste. Yume connects the dots between manufacturers with excess product and buyers. What doesn’t sell, goes out to food rescue organisations.

Yume is growing quickly and while some of the world’s largest companies are now behind them, the global need to prevent food waste means they want all the help they can get to magnify their impact. 

Pascale Helyar-Moray OAM – Director Strategy Innovation and Marketing, Grow My Money 

Image Source: Pascale Helyar-Moray OAM, Grow My Money

As you shop, think everyday spending at more than 550 online retailers and 1000 stores nationally, any cashback rewards on offer go straight into your superannuation or mortgage account. This is the premise behind Grow My Money (previously Super Rewards). It happens automatically, and it comes straight out of the retailer’s pocket into yours. 

Grow My Money has been quietly growing connections in industry but they’re only now reaching out to consumers. This is where their impact will count, and this is where growth at scale will happen. 

Samantha Finnegan – Managing Director, Madebox

Image Source: Samantha Finnegan MD, Madebox

Madebox supports 380+small batch producers facing challenges due to bushfires, floods and the impact of the pandemic on tourism to regional areas. Madebox’s unique curated approach is a game-changer given that 40% of gifted company swag is estimated to end up in landfill. What’s not to love about a gift that focuses on supporting local producers, creating joy and emotional connections?

While it was fascinating to hear the ideas and stories behind the businesses, it was even more interesting to watch valuable connections being made as the group split into 3 “power huddles” and had the chance to share contacts in each CEO’s stated area of need. Many were opening their address books to share personal connections with advertisers and CEOs, consultants and executive assistants, across industries as diverse as real estate, professional services, education, media, aged care, entertainment, retail and hospitality.

It truly is amazing what can be achieved when amazing people come together to create “connections for growth”, as the Apropela logo says.

Helping women-led businesses with key introductions is vital given that just 3% of venture capital funding went to female-led early-stage companies in 2022 , explained Roo Harris from Scale Investors, Australia’s first network of angel investors committed to investing in and empowering exceptional women entrepreneurs.

In the past 12 years, more than 100 female entrepreneurs have been helped with 6000+ impactful introductions made, 700 of which have been game-changers. Optus is thrilled to be a Platinum Sponsor and to support outstanding women who lead growth-ready businesses.

To find out more about how the women of Optus are making a difference click here: Be inspired by Optus women who accelerate business everyday.

Apropela, formerly known as ‘Head Over Heels’, is a non-for-profit organisation that was established in 2010 to initiate practical steps that eliminate gender discrimination and provide female leaders the platform to accelerate growth for their businesses, contributing to the wealth and independence of female leaders in Australia. Learn more here.