Indigenous Business Month Announces Three Awards

For the first time Indigenous Business Month (IBM) will introduce three Awards to recognise the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to their community and to Australian society.

The Indigenous Business Month Awards will showcase the outstanding achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and provides identifiable national and local role models to inspire all Australians.

The Indigenous Business Month Awards are:

I2I Award

Indigenous businesses buying from and/or supplying to fellow Indigenous businesses build an interconnected and strong Indigenous business sector by supporting each other. Instances of mentoring and peer-to-peer support or development of new ventures and/or initiatives are encouraged in this category.
This award celebrates the commitment by Indigenous businesses to strengthen and grow our sector through trading and working together.

Indigenous Digital Inventiveness Award

Indigenous digital inventiveness is maturing in Australia. Communities are more connected than ever through digital expression (emails, instant messaging and texting) and at a much larger scale through digital enterprise (business operations and technology).
This award celebrates the intersection between cultural creativity, business nous and technology.

Indigenous Ingenuity Award

Indigenous business has a role to play in using business models to confront challenging community issues.
This award celebrates an Indigenous business who is working hard to solve challenges in partnerships with Indigenous communities.

The IBM Awards will be held on 30th October at the Melbourne Business School, where final winners will be announced.

Michelle Evans, MURRA Program Director and Associate Professor of Leadership at the University of Melbourne says:

“Indigenous Business Month is now in its 5th year and we are very excited to be able to introduce the Indigenous Business Month Awards and celebrate the Ingenuity of Indigenous businesses. It also allows us to showcase the contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders businesses make, not only to their communities but to the growing Australian economy”.

The judging panel includes; Mikaela Jade, CEO and Founder of Indigital, Natalie Walker, founder and Managing Director of Inside Policy, and Scott Young, Managing Director of Young Guns.

“It is a real honour to be part of the first Indigenous Business Month Awards and go behind the scenes on how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses operate, develop, connect and face challenges. The winners will be the cornerstone for future Indigenous businesses.” said Scott Young, Managing Director of Young Guns”.

How do I apply to enter?

Applications open Thursday 19th September.

Important dates and submission process

• Applications open 19th September, 2019
• Online applications close Wednesday 16th October 2019
• Winners will be announced at the Indigenous Business Month 2019 Closing Reception 30th October 2019

Information and assistance

• Indigenous Business Month runs annually from October 1 to October 31. Registrations to host and attend an event is now open.
• 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 Indigenous Business Month initiative is supported by 33 Creative, MURRA Indigenous Business Master Class program, Iscariot Media, PwC and CGU.