October 2019 marks five years of Indigenous Business Month, showcasing the talent and depth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs from a variety of business sectors. 

The events aim to ignite conversations about Indigenous business development and innovation focusing on this year’s theme Indigenous Ingenuity.

Indigenous Ingenuity is all around us, seen in the many Indigenous businesses around the country from urban, regional and remote locations. Led by Elders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been creating new and clever ways of doing things for thousands of years. 

Indigenous Business Month is an initiative driven by the alumni of Melbourne Business School’s MURRA Indigenous Business Master Class, who see business as a way of providing positive role models for young Indigenous Australians and improving the quality of life in Indigenous communities.

The initiative is supported by 33 Creative, MURRA Indigenous Business Master Class program, Iscariot Media, PwC and IAG and runs from October 1 to October 31.

“Indigenous Business Month has established itself to be the premiere business event of the year not only for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs, but also for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders considering business as a career and want to be part of this community,” said Michelle Evans, MURRA Program Director and Associate Professor of Leadership at the University of Melbourne.

“This year’s theme Indigenous Ingenuity celebrates the continued growth and success of the Indigenous Businesses sector. Ingenuity is the heart of how Indigenous entrepreneurs bring their cultural knowledge to solving problems and finding original solutions that lead to business opportunities. It's no wonder the Indigenous business sector is booming,” Evans said.

The Indigenous business sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia. Last year, an unprecedented forty Indigenous Business Month events were held, including for the first time an international event in New Zealand. Event numbers are expected to increase again this year, following the inclusion of the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP)1 expansion in the 2019 - 20 Federal budget.

Jason Eades, Chief Executive officer, Welcome to Country and Indigenous Business Month 2019 host said, “I am proud to have been part of Indigenous Business Month since its inception in 2014. It is inspiring to see the events be embraced across Australia and hear about the amazing achievements of Indigenous Business owners throughout the years. This milestone is a testimony that Indigenous businesses are thriving, and our ingenuity is having a large impact on the growth of the Australian economy.”

Register to host an event or to attend an event (spaces are limited) here.

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