Thrive Refugee Enterprise launches 'She Starts with Thrive' to support more refugee women into small business
New Program Aims to Bridge Gender Gap in Refugee Entrepreneurship
Latest News: Melbourne & Sydney, Wednesday 11th June 2025 – As we approach Refugee Week 2025, Australia's leading organisation dedicated to improving refugee economic outcomes has unveiled a targeted initiative to address the significant gender disparity in refugee-owned businesses across Australia.
Thrive Refugee Enterprise (Thrive) today announced the launch of its program "She Starts with Thrive" – the Refugee Women Self-Employment and Small Business Accelerator – designed to tackle systemic barriers preventing refugee women from entering entrepreneurship and the broader workforce.
The gender initiative comes as new data reveals a stark gender gap in refugee entrepreneurship. Of the more than 850 refugee-owned small businesses supported by Thrive to date, only 18% were founded by women, highlighting the need for targeted intervention.
Huy Truong, Co-Founder and CEO, Thrive Refugee Enterprise: "After seeing firsthand the gender gap in refugee entrepreneurship in Australia, we took steps to collaborate with the School of Business at Western Sydney University and identify, through research, the systemic barriers refugee women face when entering business or employment. With the launch of this program, we’re taking direct action to remove these barriers and help more refugee women achieve financial independence through self-employment and small business ownership."
Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse communities represent a significant portion of the country's entrepreneurial landscape, with more than 30% of the population born overseas. However, refugee women face additional challenges including lack of financial capital, language barriers, limited access to childcare, transportation difficulties, and unfamiliarity with Australian business landscape.
The "She Starts with Thrive" program aims to promote greater financial inclusion and economic independence while reducing reliance on government welfare. By supporting more refugee women in establishing sustainable businesses, the initiative seeks to contribute to a stronger, more inclusive Australian economy.
The comprehensive program takes a holistic approach to addressing multiple challenges simultaneously. Participants will receive access to a secure online networking community exclusively for refugee women, connecting them with peers and successful refugee women small business owners across Australia.
The program also addresses practical barriers through expanded finance options for small business start-ups, a complimentary AI-powered English language learning application focused on business communication, increased access to childcare and early education services, and affordable transportation solutions including complimentary driving lessons.
The Program is also made possible through Thrive’s collaborative partnership with Minderoo Foundation, aligning with its Equal Economic Opportunity: Financial Inclusion & Entrepreneurship.
Enquiries for the "She Starts with Thrive" program are now open. For more information contact the Thrive Client Relationship team by telephone 1300 651 676 or email [email protected].
Thrive Refugee Enterprise has established itself as Australia's most successful organisation dedicated to creating economic opportunities for refugees through small business development. The organisation's track record of supporting hundreds of refugee entrepreneurs provides a foundation for this gender-focused expansion. For more information about Thrive Refugee Enterprise visit www.tre.org.au.
For more information or to arrange an interview:
Contact Annie Walsh at Thrive Refugee Enterprise m. 0404 315 875
Key Facts:
The gender initiative comes as new data reveals a stark gender gap in refugee entrepreneurship. Of the more than 850 refugee-owned small businesses supported by Thrive to date, only 18% were founded by women, highlighting the need for targeted intervention.
About us:
About Thrive Refugee Enterprise: Thrive’s purpose is to provide pathways to economic opportunities for refugees that will enable greater financial inclusion and more effective settlement. Our vision is for all refugees to be economically empowered, integrated, prospering and contributing back to Australian society. Since 2017, Thrive has supported the creation of 850+ refugee-led small businesses, collectively generating annual revenues of more than $90M. In doing so, Thrive has provided business support to 3,000+ refugees.
Contact details:
Contact Annie Walsh at Thrive Refugee Enterprise m. 0404 315 875