For many small businesses, the gap between a big export opportunity and the funds to deliver on it may seem like a stretch. But as these diverse businesses show, there’s help available to get to that next step.

You’ve got a great product and local customers love it. An email has dropped into your inbox asking if you’d consider exporting your product to Europe. It’s a dream come true, but where to start? And if you’re already exporting, where to go next?

Luckily, the right expertise and finance is available, so you don’t have to take on the world alone.

Export Finance Australia (EFA) is a government-backed finance specialist that has helped Australian businesses expand internationally for almost 70 years. Working closely with banks, other government agencies and international partners, the team delivers tailored finance solutions to help bridge gaps for businesses as they scale into foreign markets.

Christopher Gianotti, national director of product and SME lending at EFA, says his team is focused on providing finance to fit businesses at different stages in their growth.

“Our support starts from $20,000. If your business has reached the point of commercialisation and is generating purchase orders or sales, it’s a great time to speak with Export Finance Australia,” Christopher told Business Builders. “You might be a business with steady domestic sales looking to enter overseas markets, or an exporter ready to grow.”

How does it work in practice? Let’s meet three Aussie brands that scaled their businesses internationally with support from EFA.

Twisted Healthy Treats: Keeping the froyo flowing into the USA

Cassandra Spies from Twisted Healthy Treats. Image: Supplied.

Cassandra Spies, co-founder and managing director of Sydney-based frozen dessert brand Twisted Healthy Treats, had been selling her better-for-you healthy treats to Australian supermarkets and school canteens.

In 2020, Costco Australia referred her to Costco US to consider stocking her popular all-natural, gluten-free frozen yoghurt treats.

The deal came through right when COVID shut down schools, which meant canteens were no longer placing orders. Excited at having secured a lucrative overseas deal, she began sending containers to the US, but payments arrived four months later than she expected. The delays began impacting the business’s cash flow.

After reading about how EFA helped another business in a similar situation, Cassandra picked up the phone. Not long after that initial engagement, her Small Business Export Loan was approved.

“Having the team at Export Finance Australia step in when they did was a real lifeline, and it was a very easy process. The team was incredible, very supportive and very responsive because they knew that it was a time-sensitive requirement that I had,” said Cassandra.

Being able to fill a funding gap at that crucial moment has helped set Twisted Healthy Treats up for overseas success.

“It’s super exciting to be sharing our delicious products with the world and I’m very proud that our product is having real success in the US,” she said. “I’d love to continue to work with Export Finance Australia because they were an incredible support for the business.”

Archies Footwear: From a lightbulb moment to global shelves

Hotfooting it around the globe with Archies Footwear. Image: Supplied.

Daniel Jones is a physiotherapist who kept seeing patients with sore feet, ankles and hips. The problem? Flat thongs.

So, he designed a lightweight, arch-supporting thong as a solution. The product was a hit among physios, podiatrists and osteopaths across Australia.

By 2018, Daniel was ready to take the brand overseas with the US, UK, Canadian and European markets on his radar.

However, to meet his international inventory needs, he realised he needed additional funding beyond what his bank could offer.

Daniel applied for an Export Line of Credit from EFA, which he used as working capital to manufacture stock.

“The team really took the time to understand every element of the business,” Daniel said. “From how the thongs are made and how they get on a truck or ship, to how they arrive at the warehouse and our cash flow cycles.

“Export Finance Australia helped us take our business to the next level.”

Seed Terminator: An Aussie agritech invention fighting weeds

Going global: The Seed Terminator team. Image: Supplied.

Former banker Mark Ashenden and mechanical engineer Dr Nick Berry solved one of farming’s oldest problems with an invention called The Seed Terminator.

The Seed Terminator destroys weed seeds during harvest that would otherwise kill crops and reduce overall yields.

Farmers don’t need to use herbicides to kill weeds, which reduces herbicide resistance, while maximising existing crops.

In 2019, The Seed Terminator released its first commercial product in South Australia and quickly signed contracts in Germany and Canada.

However, the team faced a large time lag between delivery and payment and needed cash upfront to complete orders.

EFA provided a series of loans and the business succeeded in entering foreign markets a full year earlier than planned.

“The loans allowed us to get our foot in the market, while continuing our research and development to make our product better for their operating conditions,” added Mark.

Could your business be next?

If you’re ready to take the leap, or even just researching how to export your product to the world, Christopher advises knowing your numbers before you approach the EFA.

“Have a sound knowledge of your financials and a realistic idea of sales forecasts over the next 12 months,” he shared.

“Business owners need a clear ask so we can show them where our funding could help them scale up. We believe in building long-term relationships and initially it may mean helping business owners understand what support is available to them.”

Access to cash flow allowed the three different businesses we’ve profiled here to expand overseas. If you have similar ambitions for your business, talk to EFA – you might be closer to qualifying for finance than you think.

Find out more at exportfinance.gov.au

This article is brought to you by Business Builders in partnership with Export Finance Australia.