The City of Perth is giving small city businesses a helping hand through its Matched Funding Business Grants.

City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the City provides these grants to support and encourage innovative projects.

"Matched Funding Business Grants promote diverse business projects and help turn ideas into viable business opportunities," Ms Scaffidi said.

"Finding ways to turn ideas into actions plays an important role in activating our city, it creates the unique spaces and experiences that give our city its character." 

The Matched Funding Business Grants provide businesses with funding of up to $20,000 on a dollar to dollar basis.

Applications will be accepted from Monday 10 June 2013 until Wednesday 24 July 2013; successful applicants will be announced on Wednesday 28 August 2013.

Suitable business projects include but are not limited to:

  • activation of underutilised spaces such as empty tenancies within vacant upper floors, basements or tenancies within laneways;
  • capital investment on building fit out costs including restoration and/or compliance with building codes, regulations, safety and accessibility; or
  • new product development and/or intellectual property management including patenting or commercialising a new product.

To be eligible applicants must:

  • own or operate a small business within the City of Perth boundaries;
  • have a valid Australian Business Number;
  • have the appropriate insurances, permits and licences;
  • have a signed lease agreement for a space within the City of Perth, which extends at least twelve months from the time the application is submitted; and
  • not have received a Matched Funding Business Grant in the past five years.

More information, including full eligibility criteria and information kits can be obtained by calling the City of Perth Economic Development Unit on (08) 9461 3198 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.