Beyond VC & Angel Investment: Growing with Grants & Equity-Free Funding
Beyond VC & Angel Investment: Finding & Growing Faster with Equity-Free Funding
📅 Date: Tuesday 20th May
⏰ Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
📍 Location: Tank Stream Labs, Collins Streat
🍕 Light dinner & drinks provided
Event Overview
Not every founder needs to pitch to VCs—or give up equity to grow. This event is for builders, creatives, and early-stage founders who want to scale smarter, faster, and with more control.
Join us as we unpack the power of equity-free funding—including grants, tax incentives, and strategic non-dilutive capital options. You’ll learn from founders and experts who have successfully scaled without giving up equity, and walk away with practical steps to get funding-ready.
We'll also explore grant pathways for social enterprises and NFPs, demystify common misconceptions, and provide actionable advice on building a sustainable, fundable business without investor pressure.
We’ll Explore:
🔹 What grants are available—locally and nationally—and how to access them
🔹 R&D tax incentives made simple for founders and creatives
🔹 How to become “funding ready” without chasing VC
🔹 When equity-free capital makes more sense than dilution
🔹 Founder stories from those who’ve bootstrapped and scaled
🔹 Pathways for social enterprises and nonprofits to access aligned grant opportunities
Meet the Panel
✨ Safi Heidari – Co-Founder, Maximify
Safi is a seasoned entrepreneur, researcher, and innovator with a PhD in Computing and Information Systems. With over 15 years of experience across academia and industry, Safi has built and exited two startups, raising over $500,000 in equity-free grants. At Maximify, he helps founders scale with lean SaaS solutions and data-led growth strategies, turning customers into loyal advocates. He’s deeply passionate about building founder-friendly growth pathways grounded in sustainability and accessibility.
✨ Ozer Biligin – Director, Nihat Consulting & Founder, Flex Motion Technologies
Ozer is a multi-disciplinary entrepreneur and founder of Flex Motion Technologies, a hardware startup he has bootstrapped using a combination of grants, tactical loans, and personal savings—intentionally turning down early investment offers to stay in control. He also leads Nihat Consulting, helping early-stage businesses with growth strategy and execution. With over 10 years of experience as a strength and conditioning coach and nutritionist, Ozer brings a unique lens to performance, resilience, and disciplined growth—qualities he channels into building sustainable ventures.
Trent Scheirs
Co-Founder & Director, Grant Help
Grant Help’s Co-Founder and Director, Trent Scheirs has successfully secured over 15 different government grant programs. Trent is passionate about client education, regularly hosting webinars and seminars to share insights into the grant landscape and offer continuous support for his clients' businesses. Such dedication earned him and Lachlan Catanese recognition as finalists for the Business News Australia's Melbourne Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, highlighting their devotion to guiding clients through each and every step.
Jasper Steel
Head of Research & Development Tax Incentive (R&DTI), Grant Help
Jasper leads Grant Help’s R&DTI division, bringing a deep background in communications, grant strategy, and stakeholder engagement. With a hands-on approach, he has successfully overseen 600+ R&DTI applications through his team, securing tens of millions in R&D funding for clients across a range of industries. Jasper works closely with businesses from the earliest stages of idea development through to project completion—providing guidance on eligibility, business structuring, claim maximisation, and compliance. Known for turning complex grant requirements into practical, results-driven strategies, Jasper consistently helps companies structure their R&D efforts for both compliance and long-term growth.
Why Attend?
If you're bootstrapping, scaling on your own terms, or exploring non-VC aligned growth pathways—this event is designed to equip you with funding strategies, confidence, and clarity. Whether you're building a for-profit venture or a social enterprise, you'll gain insights into how to access and leverage the right support without giving up equity.
Brought to You By:
📜 Grant Help is a no-win, no-fee grant consultancy dedicated to helping Australian businesses navigate a wide range of gov funding opportunities. With an onshore team of 22 professionals, expert grant writers, former government officials, and experienced tax agents, Grant Help provides tailored guidance through the complexities of over 50 grant programs. Specialising in the Research & Development Tax Incentive (R&DTI), Export Market Development Grant (EMDG), and various other programs for over 700+ businesses across diverse industries, Grant Help has built a strong reputation for its proactive support and commitment to compliance and reporting.
🌀 Uncommon Collective – A social enterprise supporting founders and creatives with growth, leadership, and community in-between programs—through real conversations, resources, and momentum-building peer circles.
🚀 Tank Stream Labs — A thriving tech community and coworking space supporting high-growth startups and scale-ups across Australia. With locations in Sydney and Melbourne, Tank Stream Labs provides curated access to capital, mentors, events, and a collaborative environment designed to accelerate ambitious founders building the future.
📝 RSVP now to unlock equity-free funding opportunities and scale with confidence—on your terms.
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