Alice Fitch saw first-hand the need for a better way to connect with, and purchase from, fashion suppliers. She launched B2B web platform Whola in 2019, revolutionising wholesale fashion buying and attracting thousands of retailers from across Australia as users.

Last month, Alice was successful in her application for FIXE Scholarship funding, granted to support her enrolment in Zonehigh leadership training.

"As the founder of a startup, it’s important I am performing at my A-game to lead our team to execute our growth strategy," Alice said.

"Zonehigh focuses on techniques to increase productivity, enable clearer decision making and inspirational leadership of my team.

"I have begun implementing some of the strategies already, and the immediate result has been a huge boost to our team culture and growth in employee satisfaction."

Another FIXE Scholarship recipient, Marion Vigot, is chasing a gap in the market with her eco enterprises Mister RYE and Compostable Alternatives.

Her vision is to become Australia's leading manufacturer of organically-grown drinking straws (produced right here in South Australia), as well as certified home-compostable alternatives to single use plastics.

Marion is using her scholarship funding to enrol in the The University of Adelaide's Professional Management Program, to better manage her business and not-for-profit responsibilities.

"I'd love to improve my leadership and business skills in order to become a national leader in the industry of home compostable packaging," Marion said.

"As a French migrant, the South Australian ecosystem supported me a lot, and is now home to my two projects Mister RYE and Compostable Alternatives.

"My objective with the course is to bring good practice, experience and knowledge back to South Australia, not only for my own business and the local employment it will create, but also applying this knowledge within the two not-for-profit organisations that I am a part of - Startup Adelaide and La French Tech Australia - whose main objective is to support the startup community."

These entrepreneurs are just two of six recipients from Round Four of the Government of South Australia's FIXE Scholarship Program.

The program provides successful applicants with matched funding of between $1000 - $5000 to build the capability required to fuel business growth. Calls for applications open several times a year, with the next opportunity scheduled for October 2021. Learn more.