Export program to help small businesses to sell to the world
Small businesses are set to benefit from an additional $1.8 million investment by the South Australian Government to expand the SA Business Chamber’s Growth Accelerator Program to give small and medium-sized businesses an opportunity to sell their products to the world.
Currently, the Growth Accelerator Program supports small and medium businesses to scale, build resilience and grow their operations through a mix of workshops, mentoring and practical tools.
In the 2026-27 State Budget, the government doubled the program funding to $3.6 million to help local businesses take the next step by growing globally. The funding is also being used to help raise the profile of South Australian businesses and to showcase the state’s export success stories through the annual Premier’s Business & Export Awards.
The expanded program will focus on tailored business advisory services, including growth and export planning, mentoring, networking and workshops to develop and implement export strategies that will support them to drive sustainable international growth.
The Wristband Co. is a family-owned South Australian identification solutions company participating in the Growth Accelerator Program as it enters its next stage of growth and explores further international opportunities.
Based in Kent Town, the company supplies custom wristbands, lanyards, ID products and event identification solutions to businesses and organisations across Australia, with its products also reaching customers in international markets including Europe and New Zealand.
“The Growth Accelerator Program has given me the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and think more strategically about the next stage of growth for The Wristband Co., including the potential to grow our presence in international markets,” said Laura Sayer, Director, The Wristband Co.
“Having access to experienced mentors and practical advice through the program has been incredibly valuable in helping us turn our ambitions into a clear growth strategy. The growth of major events here in South Australia has created some fantastic opportunities for our business and it’s exciting to see locally owned companies being able to play a part in events of that scale.”
Delivered through the SA Business Chamber, the Growth Accelerator Program will help local businesses take the next step.
“The SA Business Chamber sees first-hand the breadth of innovation and initiatives that our small business sector is playing,” said Andrew Kay, CEO of SA Business Chamber.
“The Growth Accelerator Program provides us with a platform to connect these businesses with experienced mentors who have run similar programs and helped others scale and embark on international growth.
“The Growth Accelerator Program provides us with a platform to connect these businesses with experienced mentors who have run similar programs and helped others scale and embark on international growth.
“Given the shift in global trade, it has never been more important to be prepared and armed with the knowledge to move the odds in your favour.
“The Growth Accelerator Program is a timely and welcome addition to the SA Business Chamber’s suite of programs, and we commend the state government on their investment.”
The expansion of the current program comes as South Australia continues to break records for selling more goods to the world, with the recent ABS trade data showing the state exported $18.5 billion worth of goods to June 2026 – up 11.4 per cent and surpassing the national average of 4.1 per cent.