Following a successful inaugural year that helped unlock AU$3.77 million in capital for participating enterprises, the Catalysing Impact program returns for 2026. This QBE Foundation–funded initiative is delivered by Social Impact Hub for impact enterprises and purpose-driven businesses advancing climate resilience or social inclusion. It combines catalytic grant funding with bespoke capability-building to strengthen financial resilience and investment readiness. Applications close 02 February 2026.
Core Program Objectives
• Unlock capital: Provide catalytic grants designed to leverage additional investment (not simple “matched” funds).
• Strengthen strategy: Tailored advisory to refine business models, financial forecasting, impact and fundraising.
• Drive innovation: Support scalable solutions spanning preparedness, net-zero transitions and equitable access to services.
• Foster corporate synergy: Engage with QBE employees via skilled volunteering, a design-thinking hackathon and a live crowdfunding showcase.
Target Enterprise Profile
• Legal structure: Australian-incorporated social enterprise or purpose-driven business.
• Focus areas: Climate resilience and/or inclusion (e.g., disaster preparedness, emissions reduction, financial inclusion, First Nations and gender equity).
• Growth stage: Startup, early-stage or established.
• Financial intent: Plan to raise capital between March and August 2026 (investment or repayable debt).
• Inclusion note: Charities may apply, but all participants must be pursuing a social enterprise model seeking investment/repayable finance.
• Access: Australia-wide; many components delivered online; no cost to apply or participate.
Program Offerings and Financial Support
• Catalytic Grants: Funding pool up to AU$1,000,000, with typical grants AU$150,000–AU$400,000, linked to external commitments you’ve secured.
• Participation Grants: AU$10,000 per selected organisation to support engagement.
• Investment Diagnostics: Comprehensive readiness diagnostic to map strengths and priority gaps.
• Tailored Advisory: Mentoring via the Professional Impact Network (strategy, financial modelling, impact, investor engagement, governance, risk).
• Corporate Engagement: Skilled volunteering, one-day design-thinking hackathon and a live crowdfunding-style showcase; plus a letter of support and, where appropriate, curated introductions to aligned funders.
The Two-Stage Journey
Stage 1 – Capability & Connections: AU$10,000 participation grant; investment readiness diagnostic; tailored advisory and peer learning; QBE engagement; funding-strategy guidance and curated introductions.
Stage 2 – Catalytic Funding & Showcase: For enterprises showing strong progress and fundraising traction, with potential AU$150,000–AU$400,000 catalytic grants and the opportunity to pitch at a live employee crowdfunding event (with The Funding Network & QBE Foundation).
Application Details and Timeline
• Application deadline: 02 February 2026 (extended).
• Cohort size: Up to ten enterprises.
• Cost: No fees to apply or participate.
• Location: Australia-wide, accessible online.
Catalysing Impact offers a focused pathway for Australian-incorporated social enterprises and purpose-driven businesses tackling climate resilience and social inclusion to unlock catalytic capital and sharpen investment readiness. With tailored advisory, corporate engagement, and potential grants typically ranging from AU$150,000–AU$400,000 (plus AU$10,000 participation grants), the program helps teams convert momentum into measurable impact and sustainable growth. Eligible enterprises are encouraged to apply by 02 February 2026 to join a cohort of up to ten organisations and accelerate their journey toward long-term social and environmental outcomes.