Amex Launches $2M Small Business Fund
Synopsis
The funding will help small businesses invest in upgrades as part of the company's latest Shop Small campaign.
American Express has launched a new project in which small businesses in Australia will receive grants worth A$2 million for the first time ever since launching the Shop Small project.
The application process opened on 27th July and grants worth A$20,000 each are up for grabs to small businesses willing to invest in equipment, technology, improvements in their shop or other operational improvements.
The grants are available from A$1 million and would be increased to A$2 million if there is an eligible American Express Card Member who spends a certain amount in the participating Shop Small business within the first week of August of the campaign.
Grant Program Builds on Shop Small Campaign
The Shop Small campaign has worked in Australia since 2013 promoting consumers' buying power at independent stores. This year the programme adds grant funding to the current consumer campaign which now provides a direct funding mechanism, tied to customer spending.
Businesses such as hospitality, local services and retail are eligible to apply. The grants can be used for equipment, to enhance digital skills, to upgrade buildings or for other operational requirements.
The campaign also highlights the ongoing trend of the small business investment since operating costs across various industries are high.
Small Businesses Continue to Drive Economic Activity
According to the release by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) called Counts of Australian Businesses, there were about 2.66 million actively trading businesses (ATBs) in Australia in 2024-25. The vast majority of them, over 97 percent, are small businesses.
They constitute a large share of the private sector labour force and play a crucial role in the business environment of Australia.
Access to finances is still one of the most common barriers for SMEs in OECD member states, including Australia, the USA, Canada, the UK, and some European economies, says a recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), titled Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs 2026.
On the other hand, governments and financing organisations have been continuing to develop programs aimed at providing capital for smaller firms, the report states.
As per its annual report, American Express had $68.2 billion in revenue in 2025.
According to Naysla Edwards, Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Member Experience at American Express Australia and New Zealand, Shop Small campaign will help to provide small businesses with actual financial help and encourage clients to support the local economy.
Source: Smart Company
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
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