Strengthening local ecosystems and building economic resilience through business growth, digital capability and meaningful employment
Decent work and economic development
The world is changing at an accelerated pace and across Australia, the needs of each municipality continually transition. Traditional industries are closing or transforming, local supply chains are shifting, populations are increasing and many need new skills to stay competitive.
Supporting the small and medium businesses that form the backbone of local economies has a positive impact on society as a whole. But they often face the greatest challenges to find the time to develop the right skills or find people with the right skills to help them adapt and grow. This has to go beyond workshops but not take as long as traditional education.
That’s where we come in.
What we do
25eight designs and delivers short, high-impact programs that build the confidence, digital capability and entrepreneurial skills people and businesses need to thrive.
We work alongside councils, government agencies and community organisations to co-design practical, measurable programs that achieve local employment and business growth outcomes.
Our programs bridge the gap between traditional education and real-world application; turning learning into action, and action into results.
We have worked with the Australian Government, State Governments, Local Government Authorities, industry organisations and many corporations that want to provide the greatest impact for their business community.
“You can’t change the way people think, all you can do is give them a tool, the use of which will change their thinking.”
— R. Buckminster Fuller
25eight Programs
Uplifting business & digital skills for a sustainable future.
We help small and medium businesses create structure, systems and strategy to grow sustainably as well as strengthening their connections within the community.
We help communities impacted by industry change, supporting new market expansion, adaptation for existing businesses and enterprise creation as a re-employment solution.
We help individuals adapt to new technologies and ways of working. Technology is embedded into our programs, increasing confidence quickly.
We see entrepreneurship as a powerful solution to economic development challenges and can deliver short, applied programs empowering people to create their own work opportunities.
Each program:
Is evidence-based and human-centred, tailored to the cohort and region
Has measurable outcomes within a 8-12 week period
Is scaleable and accessible to ensure maximum reach and inclusivity for equal chance of success for every participant
is impact-measured pre, during and post-program that tracks traditional and human impact measurements
Has a hybrid program design; with our basic programs aiming to meet with most annual education/business support budgets
Aims to achieve a consistent World Class NPS score
Is covered by $20 million professional and public liability
Fuelled by our commitment to create benefit for all
Includes real relatable case studies & access to Industry Mentors from a wide range of industries
Why partner with 25eight?
We have supported over 10,000 Australian Startups & SMEs through business growth and digital programs.
We have engaged in 3.5 years of research and development to diagnose exactly what a small business needs to focus on to grow.
We have been a certified Benefit Corporation for nine years which ensures we are committed to achieving beneficial outcomes for all of our stakeholders.
Our programs are designed for immediate implementation, which delivers measurable results in weeks, not months.
We consult with our partners and local organisations to ensure that our programs are relevant, accessible and provide a real solution.
We manage the end-to-end delivery including recruitment, selection and impact reporting.
Business skills programs that increase decent work and economic development whilst strengthening local communities.
We ensure our business education, coaching and mentoring programs are accessible and immediately applicable for everyone, to create meaningful outcomes and greater impact for all.
Our expertise
The development of the skills a business needs to succeed takes time and can’t be achieved in a workshop alone. We help you provide real support to achieve real outcomes and advocacy for your region from your local businesses. Backed by extensive research and measured results, we can provide programs that meet with many levels of budget and support requirements.
Business Growth & Digital Programs for Small and Medium Business
Business Planning & Innovation Programs for transitioning regions
Regions are transitioning. Traditional industries are closing or transforming and local supply chains are shifting.
Many small and medium sized businesses are or will face a significant impact to their business. This is the time to adapt. We help you support your local businesses to develop a strategy to expand into new markets/industries or adapt their offering based on their capabilities ensuring their sustainability through any transition.
Entrepreneurship & Digital Literacy as a pathway to employment
In communities with cohorts who face barriers to employment or lower digital literacy rates and perhaps even low engagement in formal training, 25eight offers programs that use entrepreneurship as a pathway to employment. Bridging the gap between accredited training and employment services by providing a practical bridge between learning and doing and connecting learners with local small businesses for work experience.
Regional Growth Project
Growing up in a mining town in regional England, our CEO Sam is incredibly passionate about creating an even playing field for regional and rural small and medium sized business. Sam knows a one-size all approach doesn’t work and wants to help more regional businesses get more regional work. She believes a connected community is a stronger one.
The Regional Growth Project was established in 2019 by 25eight Pty Ltd in partnership with the State Government of Victoria and Local Councils across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
It has now grown into a national project that supports business leaders and their teams to adopt innovative practices (business strategy, growth, digital, and innovation) to scale their business.
Our goal is to create a community of like-minded business leaders who come together around common challenges and ambitions to build better business outcomes.
The success of the Regional Growth Project will be measured by growing the number of healthy, sustainable and scalable businesses throughout Regional and Rural Australia.
Holistic approach to building thriving communities
Other Services
Let us help you make impact
Click the button below to speak with our CEO Sam Hurley who would love to discuss how we can partner to create impact for your community.