First Nations X set for West Tech Fest

Tickets to a First Nations-focused event at this year’s West Tech Fest will be given away to Indigenous Australians for free in a bid to create opportunities for emerging business leaders.  

Up to 60 tickets valued at $300 each to the First Nations X Indigenous Business Opportunities satellite event on December 7 will be made free for Indigenous Australians. 

The event, which was launched today, seeks to provide opportunities for Indigenous founders, business owners and emerging leaders to gain access to collaborators to assist with their business journey. 

West Tech Fest co-founder Paula Taylor said the festival was proud to support and celebrate Indigenous entrepreneurship and business leadership. 

“Today we formally announced the event as part of our roadmap of satellite events,” she said.  

“First Nations X is a great example of how we are showcasing innovation, investment and entrepreneurship from across the state.” 

First Nations X co-founder Peter Rossdeutscher said the growth of Indigenous businesses were essential and had significant benefits for individuals, communities and economies. 

“The Indigenous business sector is comprised of over 12,000 businesses across Australia turning over $2 billion per year,” he said. 

“[Indigenous businesses] also diversify economic outcomes and contribute toward broader social and cultural well-being and collaboration across industries.” 

The masterclass event would focus on growing capability and capacity and involve key global innovations and investors, Indigenous business successes and start-up ecosystem experts. 

Minderoo Foundation’s head of Indigenous entrepreneurship and conference speaker Les Delaforce said events such as First Nations X Indigenous Business Opportunities provided a unique opportunity for Indigenous Australian founders to connect and collaborate. 

“Having raised venture capital firsthand and expanded teams across Australia, Israel and Canada, I understand that navigating the entrepreneurial path can be challenging,” Mr Delaforce said. 

First Nations X said the Indigenous start-up and tech sector was breaking into the Australian start-up ecosystem at an exponential rate.