Purpose in Action: Stories from the GRIST Social Enterprise Program, hosted by The Mill House Ventures - BFGN Webinar Series #29

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Real-World Lessons from Canberra’s Changemakers

What does it take to turn a bold idea into a thriving social enterprise? Join us for an inspiring panel discussion featuring graduates of The Mill House Ventures' GRIST accelerator program. These changemakers will share their journeys, challenges, and insights into building impactful ventures that address pressing social issues.

Hear from the GRIST Alumni

Gain firsthand perspectives from social entrepreneurs who have navigated the path from concept to execution. Discover how the GRIST program equipped them with the tools, mentorship, and community support to bring their visions to life.

Event Details

• 📅 Date: Tuesday, 30 September 2025

• ⏰ Time: 12 PM (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne) / 11:30 AM (Adelaide, Darwin) / 10 AM (Perth) / 2 PM (Wellington)

• 🖥 Online

• 🎟 Cost: Free for BFGN members, $20 for non-members

What You’ll Learn & Do

• Understand the journey of launching a social enterprise in the Canberra region

• Learn about the support structures and mentorship provided by the GRIST program

• Gain insights into overcoming challenges faced by early-stage social ventures

• Explore strategies for creating sustainable and impactful business models

About the Panelists

👤 Maria Jerez

Maria is the founder of Accessilife, a purpose driven start-up focused on giving families like hers greater access and choice to the products and services they need. Lived experience has been the guiding light behind Maria’s social enterprise. Her youngest son lives with a range of disabilities requiring 24/7 care and access to a broad range of products and services. By bringing together verified, inclusive and accessible products and services onto a centralised platform, Accessilife creates positive social impact across the disability community by empowering individuals to make informed decisions, save time and gain greater independence in their daily lives.


👤 Jessica Wright & Ruth Oettle

Jess and Ruth are the co-founders of Allara Creative and Allara Drives. Their aim is to support women from refugee backgrounds find confidence, community, and connection as they start their new lives in Canberra, ACT. Allara Creative is a work-integrated social enterprise providing employment to women from refugee backgrounds, 1-1 support from volunteers, training and mentoring to foster confidence, community and connection.

👤 Matt Tomkins

The Endless Project was born from a love of the outdoors, extreme sports, and protecting the environment. Teaming up with Lids4Kids Australia, the initiative works to transform previously unrecycled plastic lids into skateboard decks, inciting excitement around recycling. More than that, The Endless Project is about uplifting the community at large, creating opportunities for disadvantaged members of local communities.

About the Host Organisation

The Mill House Ventures is committed to the growth and impact of social enterprises in the Canberra region. They offer programs that support the emergence and growth of social ventures, provide access to professional services, and act as a thriving hub for changemakers to connect and grow their innovations.

Why Attend?

Whether you're an aspiring social entrepreneur, a community leader, or someone passionate about social impact, this panel offers valuable insights into the realities of building and sustaining a mission-driven enterprise. Learn from those who have walked the path and discover how you can apply these lessons to your own initiatives.

Join BFGN to access free webinars, resources, and a community of changemakers!