Applications for Australia’s first Angel Investors and Entrepreneur Masterclass pilot program are now open.
The WA Government, Generation One and Perth Angels have teamed up to fund a new pilot program to boost investment into Indigenous entrepreneurs and start-ups.
Applications for the pilot program opened on the 15 October and close on the 29 October 2020. Places are strictly limited.
The program will address barriers that Indigenous entrepreneurs face in accessing investment or becoming investors.
Generation One CEO, Shelley Cable, announced that the project would help attract more investment into Indigenous start-ups.
“Talent is widely distributed, but opportunity is not,” Ms Cable said.
“For example, only a handful of Indigenous Australian businesses have ever raised equity finance. This is not for a lack of great Indigenous businesses or entrepreneurs.
“We want to connect more Indigenous businesses to investor networks, help Indigenous businesses become investor-ready, and recognise the wealth and power of Indigenous people to become investors themselves.
“Significant barriers exist to the knowledge, networks and opportunities for Indigenous Australians to enter the world of angel investing. In fact, the barriers are so great that we do not currently know of any accredited Indigenous angel investors. This program seeks to change that.”
Generation One aims to create meaningful and sustainable employment for Indigenous Australians through training programs, advocacy and policy reform.
Perth Angels Chairman, Ian Brown, also emphasised how a thriving Indigenous business ecosystem was essential to overall economic health.
“Growth and diversity are the key to unlocking a thriving Australian innovation ecosystem,” Mr Brown said.
“This program will bring together angel investors, industry experts and business leaders from across WA. We want to foster a network of empowered Indigenous investors passionate about making a meaningful impact in their communities.
“We hope to kickstart a flywheel of new investors supporting the entrepreneurs of today, to become the successes and investors of tomorrow – there has never been a more exciting time to be involved in early-stage investment in Australia”.
For more information, visit: https://www.minderoo.org/generation-one/
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