Small business owners have until February 4 to apply for a $20,000 digital transformation package being offered by the federal government.

There are 100 packages on offer by the Department of Jobs and Small Business and applications can be found at digitalchampions.jobs.gov.au

Of the businesses chosen, 15 will be selected to become a digital champion, which involves them being paired with and mentored by a high-profile small business leader who has successfully leveraged technology for business success.

The journey will be documented online as the mentor guides the businesses along the path to digital transformation providing the business community with insights into the benefits of adopting digital technology.

Printing Industries Association of Australia chief executive officer Andrew Macaulay strongly recommends printers apply and get involved.

“Members are encouraged to apply for the Small Business Digital Champions Project. As a part of the Project, 100 small businesses will have the opportunity to receive a digital transformation up to the value of $20,000, with a chance to be mentored by a high profile Australian business leader,” Macaulay said in an email to members.

The federal government says research from Deloitte’s Connected Small Businesses 2017 report shows that when small businesses are digitally engaged, they are 50 per cent more likely to be creating jobs, seven times more likely to be exporting and 14 per cent more likely to be innovating new products and services.

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