This City of Sydney initiative is a 10-week program for accelerating business innovation. Designed to charge up your business through innovation and digital transformation.

This program is presented by the City of Sydney and powered by Mo Works. The Charge Up Challenge business innovation program is delivered free, designed to charge up your business growth strategies.

This 10-week program is fully funded by the City of Sydney.

1. Independent and small-to-medium-sized businesses (less than 200 employees) in retail, food and beverage or tourism sectors. For example, retailers in fashion, furniture, design, art, hair salons, cafes, bars and restaurants, tourism providers or tour operators.
2. Both bricks and mortar stores and online retail sites are encouraged to apply. For example, online businesses committed to establishing pop up opportunities or bricks and mortar operations in the City of Sydney local area.
3. Businesses in the City of Sydney local area with a minimum 2 years operating experience, and currently at the growth/scale-up stage.

Businesses that meet the above criteria and represent diverse gender and cultural backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.

We're also looking for the following:

• Focused on the future of your industry and excited about the opportunities ahead.
• Searching for innovative tools, information and technology to grow your business.
• Bringing consciousness around sustainability practices into your business.

Venues will be located within or near the centre of the City of Sydney's local government area.

This program will take place over 10 weeks between April to June 2022

Business owners will attend three one-day in-person sessions, this includes; 6 (choose from 9 options) hands-on workshops, three virtual check-in group sessions, and the final program graduation session.

Participants will receive 10 hours of tailored 1:1 coaching, business auditing, discovery and planning sessions. Choose 2 out of 7 business audit options relevant to your business needs.

The principles presented in the program will be applied to your business through take-home assignments and supported by the 1:1 business consultation and audits.

The topics covered in the program include From Offline to Online, Marketing and Business Tools, Customer Experience and Opportunities, Inclusive Branding and Multicultural Marketing, Sales Strategy, Ideas Validation, Risk Management, Networking and Stakeholder Strategy, and Innovation Strategy.