INNOVATE
Helping disability enterprises transform their business models.
White Box is delivering a two-year fully funded program focused on transitioning three disability enterprises (formerly known as Australian Disability Enterprises or ADEs) to jobs-focused social enterprises.
The three disability enterprises: genU, Waverley Social Enterprises, and Intelife, will each receive an estimated 150 days of pro-bono consulting and up to $350K in grant funding to support their business transition over the two-year period, alongside access to impact investment, industry connections and systems that will support them with their transformation.
The Evolve Program represents a bold step forward in reimagining disability employment, providing a practical pathway for disability enterprises to evolve into more impactful jobs-focused social enterprises.
With a focus on fairer wages, inclusive workplaces, and lasting systemic change, the program aims to demonstrate the transformative potential of the social enterprise model.
Meet the participants
genU is one of Australia’s largest NDIS providers. Through their disability enterprise, they employ 260 people with disabilities in industries including food services, business services and land care across Victoria.
Intelife, based in Western Australia, supports 140 people with disabilities in employment across facilities management, asset maintenance, and horticulture.
Waverley Social Enterprises provides employment opportunities for over 330 people with disabilities across the greater Melbourne region in industries including catering, packaging, assembly, on site labour and grounds maintenance.
Program Overview
Phase 1: Planning for Transformation
Successful applicants will undergo a comprehensive review of their operations and support systems.
The process will identify issues, opportunities and provide an agreed roadmap for the organisation.
Phase 2: Grants to Support Transformation
Participants will have access to grant funding of $1.1M to implement their transition plans, with up to $350,000 available per organisation.
The grants will be allocated based on a board-endorsed roadmap and assessed by a WBE-appointed investment committee
Phase 3: Implementation Support
The implementation phase focuses on working with WBE to introduce the changes outlined in the roadmap, and peer learning sessions with other participating organisations to help embed the changes.
