The Minderoo Foundation’s Generation One initiative seeks to create parity for indigenous Australians, and to this end has launched a national leadership program called Dream Summit.
The Minderoo Foundation’s Generation One initiative seeks to create parity for indigenous Australians, and to this end has launched a national leadership program called Dream Summit.
This week’s Dream Summit marks a watershed for indigenous entrepreneurs.
An initiative of The Minderoo Foundation’s Generation One project, the September 12-13 event at Sydney Startup Hub will focus on skill building, mentorship and business growth for indigenous entrepreneurs from all over the country. Attendees will work with a community of experienced mentors and create lasting connections to grow their business.
On day two, finalist teams will pitch on the rooftop terrace at the Museum of Contemporary Art, aiming to win a share of $45,000 in seed funding, and a number of other opportunities presented by supporting partners.
The Minderoo Foundation has engaged Skills of the Modern Age (SoMA) to design and deliver the event, and I am excited to be organising the summit alongside a powerhouse team: Minderoo’s Peter Murdoch; SoMA’s Nate Sturcke; and an indigenous advisory group (IAG) led by Leslie Delaforce of Tank Stream Labs.
The IAG includes experienced business professionals, Leah Cameron (Marrawah Law), Yulu McGrady (Chandler Macleod Group), Dwayne Good (Inspire Travel Management), Richard Hurst (Crown Melbourne) and social impact entrepreneur, Liam Ridgeway (NGNY and Indigitek).
Generation One’s incoming CEO, Shelley Cable, will be one of the judges on the final pitch night.
Mr Delaforce told Business News the summit was a great opportunity for indigenous entrepreneurs.
“[It will enable them] to get access to a wealth of knowledge, support, mentors and seed funding to grow and scale their business, especially in lieu of the recent announcement from the Business Council of Australia members collectively spending more than $3 billion to boost Indigenous businesses,” Mr Delaforce said.
Dream Summit is also working with community partners in the Australian startup ecosystem to assist with business mentoring and to nominate eligible teams in their network for fully subsidised participation.
Community partners include Tank Stream Labs, Wirrpanda Foundation, Murra Indigenous Business Program, Curtin University, West Tech Fest, Spacecubed, Stone & Chalk, Regional Development Australia (Wheatbelt WA) and Melbourne Business School.
With a vetted pool of over 100 applicants, 80-plus entrepreneurs have been formally invited to join. From social enterprises through to advanced tech businesses, the array and quality of businesses in attendance is astounding. Following are some of the great tech companies that will be taking part in the program.
Autonomous Technology
Autonomous Technology is a drone manufacturing, robotics, and Civil Aviation Safety Authority training business with offices in Perth, Brisbane, and on the Gold and Sunshine coasts. Director and indigenous business development manager Benita Brown she is looking forward to learning the right skills, knowledge and everything it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. She’s also motivated to become a role model to her family, friends, colleagues and community.
Middle Stump
Coffs Harbour-based Noongar man Clint Dann is a keen player and a huge fan of cricket. His Middle Stump initiative proposes that the middle stumps used at all levels and forms of cricket are decorated with Aboriginal artwork. He hopes that representing the First Peoples of Australia will go a long way towards reconciliation.
The newly formed Perth Swan Cricket Association has already adopted the idea, and Mr Dann will deliver 50 Aboriginal artwork stumps depicting Noongar people’s stories by October. He’s hoping that Dream Summit will help him to further grow his business at a grass roots level and gain further support from Cricket Australia.
Kimberley Jiyigas (Birds)
Founded by Natasha Short, Kimberley Jiyigas, meaning ‘birds’, is a collective of talented women based in Western Australia’s far north. The online portal features the profiles of indigenous women influencing social change. This is achieved through offering cultural insights on how to better engage with the Kimberley and other indigenous communities. Ms Short sees Dream Summit as an opportunity to network, gain inspiration and challenge herself to reach new heights.
Think Escape Games
Headed by Shannon Best of the Gold Coast Kombumerri tribe, Think Escape Games is a live action team-based game where players cooperatively discover clues, solve puzzles and accomplish tasks in order to progress and accomplish a specific goal. Mr Best said his goal via participating at the Dream Summit was to expand into the educational space, creating a way for players to learn language, history and culture through solving problems and having fun.
Dream Summit will be officially opened by Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt (via video), and will include an address by ex-Facebook Australia CEO, Stephen Scheeler, as well as an inspirational talk by Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly on the importance of great teams.
This flagship national event has a huge potential impact for indigenous entrepreneurs. It is set to be an incredible showcase and celebration of indigenous talent from across Australia.
