A thousand South Australian women, including many from the Fleurieu and KI, have saved more than $1 million in fees thanks to the Women in Business Foundations program.

Many of the 1000 are first-time business owners, who have taken part in the landmark program designed to support women to successfully start new businesses and create jobs.

According to the state government, 40 per cent of small businesses in South Australia are owned by women.

The $4 million Women in Business program has two streams, a Foundations and an Advisory program.

The Foundations program was created for women new to running a business and is delivered by Adelaide Business Hub.

It includes mentoring and small group workshops to develop women’s skills in business management, finance and accounting, marketing, digital technologies and cyber security.

This level of training and support would usually cost approximately $1350 but is subsidised by the state government, costing participants a significantly reduced fee of $88.

The program has received a strong uptake from women across regional areas including the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island as well as metropolitan Adelaide.

Minister for Small and Family Business Andrea Michaels says small businesses are key to South Australia’s economy. 

“We know how important small businesses are both to our communities and to our economy, contributing an incredible $49 billion each year.”