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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    Global Expansion Program

    Expand into international markets to unlock new revenue streams, drive innovation, and strengthen the resilience of our local economy.

    The Global Expansion Program is designed to empower businesses with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to navigate the complexities of global trade.

    Up to $50,000 is available, to support high-growth, export-ready South Australian businesses to build their export capability and capacity and become the state’s next global leaders.

    By participating in this program, businesses can enhance their competitiveness, create jobs, and contribute to the broader economic development of South Australia, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for our communities.

    The Global Expansion Program (GEP) is a $2million funding program delivered over four years. The Department of State Development (DSD) will hold competitive funding round/s throughout the year, calling for applications from South Australia businesses meeting eligibility requirements.

    The Program provides South Australian businesses with financial assistance, external business reviews and export advisory services to support growth in target sectors and target markets.

    Successful applicants will be appointed a Case Manager to provide guidance and support throughout the program.

    Key features of the program

    • Free business reviews conducted by an external professional services contractor to identify export capability and capacity.
    • Development of a business specific Action Plan that will identify export needs for achieving long-term sustainable growth.
    • Grant funding to address the challenges and opportunities to exporting.
    Applications have now closed

    Program details

    Sam Hassan and Kasun Illankoon Bryni Bandara Sachitha Gunawardana Kithmini Kuruppuarachchi Sarada Bhagya Rashmi Mutucumarana Mohammed Mubashshir Azma Rizwan Senithu Raj

    Invoicing innovators are tapping into global demand

    A small South Australian tech company is making big moves to transform the way businesses get paid across the globe. Link4, a software business that designs eInvoicing solutions that send invoices digitally, without email, has leveraged government support to expand throughout Southeast Asia.

    In 2019, shortly after setting up shop at Stone & Chalk in Lot Fourteen, the company begun to explore Singapore as a new market. After joining the Department of State Development’s Global Expansion Program, Link4 has seen their export revenue surge more than 350 per cent every year.

    For Link4 CEO Robin Sands, the Global Expansion Program’s grant funding and export advisory support has helped transform the business.

    “In the last 12 months we have doubled our revenue, we have doubled our staff, and we have doubled the amount of countries that we are in,” Mr Sands said.

    “Now that we can go into other markets, that has meant that we can grow.”

    So, how did this happen?

    The Global Expansion Program supported a rapid expansion into Malaysia.

    Buoyed by government regulation in Malaysia that mandated eInvoicing in August 2024, the region now accounts for more approximately 40 per cent of the Link4’s total revenue.

    “We've only been getting revenue from Malaysia since 2024, so that's a significant jump because of regulations in the market,” Mr Sands said.

    “I think it gives us a good blueprint to use when we’re looking at different countries.

    “If you are at that stage where you're export-ready or getting close to it, now is the time to be a part of the program because it will help you determine your plans about where to go, what to do and when to do it.”

    Learn more about Link4