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: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
📍 Location: TBC (Melbourne)
🍕 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.
✨ Jasper Steel – Head of R&DTI Division, Grant Help
Jasper supports founders and innovators in navigating and securing non-dilutive funding for their projects. Known for his strategic guidance and people-first approach, he helps early-stage teams unlock the resources they need to bring bold ideas to life.
✨ 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.
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:
🌀 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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