You’ve built a business that works. Now build what comes next.
Pathfinder is an 18-week growth readiness program for established Brisbane businesses ready to pursue a significant growth opportunity alongside their core business.
Many business leaders reach a point where the foundations are strong, but growth begins to plateau. There may be opportunities to enter new markets, launch new products or services, explore partnerships, expand channels, or evolve the business model. The challenge is knowing where to focus and how to pursue growth while continuing to run a successful business.
Pathfinder provides the structure, tools and expert support to help businesses identify the right growth opportunity, test ideas with confidence and build a practical roadmap for growth.
“Being part of the Pathfinder program was a game-changer for our team. It gave us the time and space to come above the noise and the day-to-day demands of the business and spend time strategising and implementing new innovations.”
iOrthotics, 2026 Pathfinder
Key dates
- 14th October 2026: Expressions of Interest open
- 5th November 2026: Growth Readiness Forum, Brisbane Business Hub
- 14 November 2026: Expressions of Interest close
- Early December 2026: Successful applicants notified
- 28 January 2027: Program launch
- February to June 2027: Program delivery
- 24 June 2027: Graduation showcase
What's included
Participants receive access to:
- One launch and onboarding event
- Four one-on-one coaching sessions
- Four business leader speaker sessions with networking opportunities
- Four virtual peer pod sessions
- Two in-person group accountability sessions
- One graduation showcase event
- Practical growth tools, resources and frameworks
18-week growth program outline
Each module answers one question and adds a piece to your businesses growth roadmap. By graduation, the pieces fit together into an actionable plan.
| Stage | The question you answer | What you build |
| Module 1 | Where should we focus our growth? | Your growth ambition and a priority growth opportunity. |
| Module 2 | What evidence gives us confidence? | Practical customer experiments. |
| Module 3 | What will growth ask of our organisation? | A clear impact assessment across your people, leadership, culture, structure and systems. |
| Module 4 | How must our business model evolve? | A growth business model to create and capture value. |
| Module 5 | How will we execute it? | A clear growth roadmap and a 90-day plan. |
| Graduation | What have we decided, and what happens next? | Your growth story, shared with Brisbane's business community. |
What you walk away with
- Growth and Scaling Plan built progressively across the program, including a 12 to 18 month roadmap and clear 90-day commitments
- Evidence from real customers behind your chosen growth opportunity, and clarity on what remains untested.
- An organisational game plan for the people, leadership and capability your growth will need.
- Stronger decision-making as a leader, and the confidence to back it.
- A lasting network of growth-focused Brisbane business owners, coaches, speakers and the Brisbane Business Hub.
Who you'll work with
Pathfinder is facilitated by SME growth specialists Amanda Cole and Dr Sam Bucolo of Spark Consultants.
Your investment
BEDA subsidises the majority of the program’s cost. A $495 participation fee applies to businesses selected through the Expression of Interest process. Invoices will only be issued to successful applicants.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about eligibility, program participation, key dates and the application process here.
