Our Voice
Our Narrative
Our Black Economy

A 50-year Vision for re-shaping the Culture of Indigenous Business.

If you are interested in registering for the next Futures Forum register here.

Coming Soon….

Who we are

The Futures Forum is an IBA (Indigenous Business Australia) youth initiative designed to advance the skills and capability of our future business leaders through a co-designed 3 pillar business program.

The Futures Forum is initiated with successful participants who are taken on a journey of bringing cultural principles from the past into the future and establishing long-term innovative ideas around connecting culture, business and futures in meaningful and sustainable ways.

“The Futures Forum project is the right step forward for IBA in investing in our future business and I can say first-hand the future of the Business Sector is in very safe and capable hands.”

– Rajiv Viswanathan, IBA CEO

About the Forum

IBA have a strong focus on the future and investing in our future generations and business leaders. Following a national consultation to engage with young leaders within the business sector, IBA hosted the inaugural Futures Forum event in 2019 on Worimi county, which connected 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18-30 from across Australia to discuss the future of Indigenous business.

The Futures Forum incorporates the notion to ‘think different’ about business and future business models, with a key element of design being used on ‘how culture can inform the future’.

 

“The mapping and design process that Relative Creative led everyone through got us to look at ideas and concepts with a whole new angle.”

– 2019 Futures Forum participant

 

“The Futures Forum was one of the best weeks of my life, I strongly recommend doing it.”

– 2019 Futures Forum participant

Continuing together

Following the success of the Futures Forum a network was established consisting of Forum participants and IBA delivery partners in order to advance the skills and capabilities of future Indigenous business leaders.

The network closely works with IBA and jointly designed a 12-month program which focuses on investing in the capability and development of the young entrepreneurs.

Futures Forum participants will continue to connect through events, workshops and yarning circles to re engage and re shape the future of Indigenous business.

If you are a young person age 18-30 and currently have a business idea, working within your community programs or in business, the Futures Forum is a new way of thinking on how to re shape the future of how we do business and support your professional development into business.

Futures Forum pillars

PILLAR 1<br> Profile Outcomes

PILLAR 1
Profile Outcomes

National gatherings

This pillar has been developed for network members to share the powerful experience of the Futures Forum event and profiling the conversation and outcomes at a National level through key events and conference with a focus on economic development for the Indigenous sector.

PILLAR 2<br> Capability and<br>Development

PILLAR 2
Capability and
Development

Place-Based Community Forum

Indigenous Business Masterclasses

Business Models Testing

Accelerator Program

This pillar has been established due to the demand identified to build on the capability and development of the participants. Opportunities are reflected in four above key themes, with participants to prioritise and choose one.

PILLAR 3<br> Network Outcomes

PILLAR 3
Network Outcomes

Access funds to achieve your personal goals

The wider network will have the opportunity and access to a contribution toward professional development.

Futures Forum Coming Soon….

Register Here

World Class Speakers, Mentors and Partners

Futures Forum brings together speakers and presenters from all walks of life and industries, including the arts, tourism, consulting, design, technology, construction, government and legal.

At the 2019 Future Forum were Bruce Pascoe, Tristan Schultz, Terri Janke, Geoff Martin, Amanda Hayman, Troy Casey, Jyi Lawton, and Rhea Stephenson. Other Speakers and Presenters with expertise from a range of sectors including; the Arts, Tourism, Consultancy Services, Technology, Construction, Government and Legal Practice: Wally Tallis (Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Business Australia), Mundanara Bayles (Managing Director and co-founder of The Australian BlackCard), Liam Ridgeway (Ngakkan Nyaagu (NGNY) Co-Founder), Stephen Page (Artistic Director Bangarra Dance Theatre), Charisma Cubillo (position), Steven Oliver (Actor and Writer), Andrew Smith (Chief Executive Officer, Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council), Scott Young (Non-Executive Director, Indigenous Business Australia Board and Managing Director, Young Guns Container Crew).

The IBA Futures Forum could not be made possible without our partners: Blaklash Projects, Melbourne Business Schools, Murra program, NITV, Indigenous Marathon Project, and Relative Creative.

Showcase

Watch the Futures Forum members and partners to hear about their business journey and Futures Forum experience.

National Forum 2019
IBA Futures Forum – Worimi

A look at the Futures Forum in Worimi...

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National Forum 2019
IBA Futures Forum – Sand Dunes

A look at the Futures Forum...

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Profile
Partner spotlight: Mundanara Bayles

An interview with Mundanara Bayles...

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Profile
Speaker spotlight: Bruce Pascoe

An interview with Bruce Pascoe...

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Resources

See the resources below to hear more about relevant products, services and opportunities to support your on-going business journey.

Learning
Understanding Business Ownership Life Cycle

Resource to help understand business ownership ...

External Link
Service
Strong Women Strong Business

Connect with Indigenous business women...

External Link
Service
Accelerator Program

A program to help accelerate your business...

External Link
Workshop
Business Info Sessions

Free info sessions on business....

External Link

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

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