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ACU Co-Lab Member Wins $10,000 Social Enterprise Award for Transforming Survivor Stories into Social Change

Following an intensive 8-week incubator program and competitive pitch event, ACU Co-Lab is proud to announce Ratu Nida Farihah as the winner of the $10,000 prize for the ACU Co-Lab Social Enterprise Award 2025.

Ratu, a dedicated Co-Lab community member, transformed her lived experience into a powerful force for change through her venture Women's Lantern. This grassroots social enterprise supports migrant women and survivors of domestic and family violence through trauma-informed care, solar skills training, and dignified income pathways.

Women's Lantern operates on a meaningful impact model: for every 15 handcrafted solar lanterns sold, the enterprise can support one woman with comprehensive training, peer support, and a pathway to financial independence. The solar lanterns serve as powerful symbols of healing, safety, and empowerment while creating sustainable livelihoods.

Currently launching in Sydney, Women's Lantern has ambitious plans for transnational impact, ensuring "no woman is left behind in the dark."

About Our Winner

Ratu Nida Farihah is a migrant woman and survivor who became an integral part of the Co-Lab community before transforming her personal journey into a mission of empowerment for others. Her authentic leadership and deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable women has shaped Women's Lantern into a truly community-driven solution.

"I didn't step into this work because I wanted to start a business. I stepped into it because I lived through systems that are often not built for people like me. I created Women's Lantern so no one else has to walk that path alone."

"This $10,000 will directly support our pilot: building training tools, refining our solar product line, and launching our digital shopfront. But more than that, it gives me and the women we walk with the oxygen to keep going. It's a powerful reminder that we're not invisible. That this work matters. That we matter."

View Ratu's pitch video here

Program Impact

As a Co-Lab member, Ratu credits the ACU Social Enterprise Incubator Series with providing crucial support at a pivotal moment in her venture's development. The comprehensive program helped her refine her vision, develop essential business skills, and connect with a supportive community of fellow changemakers.

"From day one, it felt like a space where your lived experience wasn't a deficit to hide, but a powerful source of change. More than anything, it made me feel like I wasn't building this alone."

Celebrating Innovation

The Co-Lab team was deeply moved by the authentic solutions presented by all participants in this year's incubator series. The combination of personal resilience, social impact, and business viability demonstrated by our cohort continues to inspire our mission of fostering meaningful change.

We extend our gratitude to all participants for their courage in sharing their stories and commitment to creating positive social impact in their communities.

To stay connected with exciting Co-Lab programs and opportunities, visit our webpage.

For more information about this announcement, contact the ACU Co-Lab team