Business Growth and Impact Grants: City of Melbourne 2026

Purpose and Program Overview

The City of Melbourne’s Business Growth and Impact Grants (BGIG) program is designed to help small businesses and start-ups grow, innovate, and make a positive contribution to the city’s economy and community. Through targeted financial support, the program enables businesses to scale operations, enter new markets, activate vacant retail spaces, and deliver measurable social or environmental outcomes.

Aligned with Melbourne’s Economic Development Strategy 2030, the grants encourage entrepreneurship, job creation, and innovation that enhance the city’s liveability and global reputation. The program offers competitive grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 (ex GST) to support impactful projects within the municipality.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: $10,000 to $50,000 (ex GST)
  
• Applications open: Currently open for the 2026 round
  
• Applications close: Monday, 1 December 2025
  
• Eligible applicants: Small businesses and start-ups located within the City of Melbourne municipality
  
• Co-contribution required: Not specified (however, leveraging other investment or resources may strengthen the application)
  
• Eligible locations: City of Melbourne local government area (VIC)
  

Priority Sectors

The program supports a broad range of industries, with a preference for projects that:

• Drive innovation and entrepreneurship
  
• Enhance Melbourne’s economic resilience and creative industries
  
• Deliver social or environmental impact
  
• Contribute to city vibrancy through retail activation
  

Funding Scope

The BGIG program offers funding under four streams:

1. Start-up Stream – Supports early-stage businesses with market-ready products or services.
   
2. Expansion Stream – Helps established small businesses grow operations or enter new markets.
   
3. Social Impact Stream – Funds enterprises creating measurable social or environmental benefits.
   
4. Shopfront Occupancy Stream – Encourages activation of vacant retail spaces to revitalise local precincts.
   

Funding range: $10,000–$50,000 (ex GST) per project.
Project duration: Projects typically run within one financial year but must align with City of Melbourne grant timelines.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be a small business or start-up with an active ABN
  
• Be based within the City of Melbourne municipality
  
• Have a market-ready product or service (prototypes or concepts are not eligible)
  
• Demonstrate the ability to deliver tangible business growth outcomes
  
• Meet all compliance and insurance obligations required by the City of Melbourne
  
• Operate in accordance with local, state, and federal laws
  

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Funding may be used for activities that directly support business growth and impact, such as:

• Product development or commercialisation
  
• Market expansion or export readiness initiatives
  
• Technology upgrades and digital transformation
  
• Marketing and branding to reach new audiences
  
• Hiring or training staff for expansion projects
  
• Fit-out or refurbishment of retail spaces (Shopfront Occupancy Stream only)
  
• Social or environmental initiatives that generate measurable community outcomes
  

Assessment Process

The Business Growth and Impact Grants are competitive and assessed against the following key criteria:

1. Alignment with program objectives: How well the project contributes to Melbourne’s economic, social, and creative development.
   
2. Innovation and feasibility: Originality, viability, and readiness for implementation.
   
3. Business impact and job creation: Expected benefits for business growth, employment, and market reach.
   
4. Value for money: Efficient use of grant funds relative to project outcomes and community benefits.
   

Applications are reviewed by a panel appointed by the City of Melbourne.

Recent Program Updates

• The 2026 grant round continues the City’s investment in innovation and economic recovery post-COVID-19.
  
• The program maintains its four-stream structure, expanding support for social enterprises and vacant space activation projects.
  
• New information sessions and online resources are available through the City’s website and event platforms such as Humanitix.
  

Application Tips

• Ensure your business is registered within the City of Melbourne municipality.
  
• Select the stream that best fits your business stage and project goals.
  
• Prepare a clear, evidence-based proposal outlining outcomes, budget, and timelines.
  
• Highlight how your project will contribute to Melbourne’s innovation, job creation, and sustainability goals.
  
• Attend a City of Melbourne information session before applying.
  

Where to Get Help

To maximise the benefits of this grant program, businesses in Australia are encouraged to seek professional grant and commercialisation advice. With 30 years of experience assisting Australian businesses in securing grants and navigating innovation programs, Pattens Group offers expert guidance to strengthen applications and manage compliance. Contact us to leverage our expertise and advance your medical device innovation. Also visit relevant [program name] for application templates and further guidance. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the City of Melbourne Business Growth and Impact Grants page.