During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen consumers embracing online platforms to purchase goods or enquire new services.

Market intelligence agency Mintel found that three-quarters of consumers in Asia-Pacific are now more interested in learning about brands, topics, and social matters than they used to. This gives brands the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and build credibility.

In response to this, the South Australian Government announced in May 2020 the launch of a new eCommerce Accelerator Program (eCAP), addressed to South Australian eligible exporters to fund expenditure incurred in building new capabilities to access international markets through e-commerce platforms.

From a list of 281 applicants, only 95 local businesses will enjoy the grant.

The 95 recipients will share in more than $930,000, which was increased for the $500,000 funding pool allocated for e-CAP. “The overwhelmingly high response for the new program highlights the critical nature for local companies to embrace a digital landscape, and this is why the allocated funding was increased” said Stephen Patterson, Minister for Trade and Investment at Government of South Australia.

“Each successful recipient will use the grant funding to diversify their business model and boost their e-commerce capability. This will help them promote and sell more products, generate more revenue, create new jobs, and tap into new export markets” he said.

Derby Rubber is very proud to be part of the 95 South Australian companies allocated funding via the eCommerce Accelerator Program (eCAP).

For us, this is a unique opportunity to carry out a digitalisation project that embraces:

• Developing a new multilingual website so we can connect our manufacturing business, our products and services digitally to the global market.
• Commissioning the preparation of a digital marketing plan.
• Training to assist developing business models/leverage online marketplaces.

We would like to thank the Department for Trade and Investment for trusting us and choosing us for this grant funding.

We look forward to showing you all of the exciting new changes in the coming months.