Over 280 Indigenous-owned exhibitors gather at ICC Sydney, proving the sector spans cookies to cybersecurity with verified businesses driving economic growth.
What’s happening: Australia’s largest Indigenous business event opened at ICC Sydney with over 280 exhibitors showcasing verified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses spanning all economic sectors, from traditional services to cutting-edge technology.
Why this matters: Indigenous businesses now contribute $42.6 billion in social value annually whilst creating employment opportunities and economic empowerment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
AFL legend and proud Adnyamathanha and Narungga man Adam Goodes set the tone for Supply Nation’s Connect: Beyond the Horizon event, opening discussions on bridging traditional knowledge systems with emerging industries.
The two-day gathering at ICC Sydney brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business owners with corporate, government and non-profit organisations seeking strategic commercial opportunities.
Beyond the horizon
“This year’s Connect: Beyond the Horizon, promises to be bigger and more exciting than ever,” said Supply Nation CEO and proud Awabakal woman Kate Russell. “We are proud of the achievements of our suppliers and members in contributing to economic empowerment and a more secure future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.”
The Knowledge Forum launched proceedings with business owners, corporate and government procurement experts, entrepreneurs and academics examining the sector’s current state, successes and challenges.
Topics included reforms to Indigenous procurement policies and accessing business support services, highlighting the evolving landscape for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises.
Economic powerhouse revealed
Supply Nation manages Australia’s largest national database of verified Indigenous businesses through Indigenous Business Direct, which now lists more than 5,800 Indigenous-owned businesses across every conceivable sector.
“This database now has listed more than 5,800 Indigenous-owned businesses in every sector you can name, from cookies to cybersecurity, from t-shirts and world leading fashion to aerospace, construction to renewable energy,” Russell explained.
In the 2023/2024 financial year, Supply Nation enabled over $4.6 billion to flow into the Indigenous economy, demonstrating significant growth in procurement opportunities.
Since its 2009 inception, the organisation has facilitated over $20 billion in procurement spend from corporate, government and non-profit member organisations into verified Indigenous businesses, marking its 15th anniversary in 2024.
Verified business growth
The robust verification process provides procurement teams with confidence, ensuring all businesses listed on Indigenous Business Direct are not only Indigenous owned but regularly audited for changes in company structure.
Supply Nation maintains a zero-tolerance approach to commercial fraud, dishonest or anti-competitive behaviour that impacts the successful growth and reputation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.
Over 280 exhibitors will showcase their capabilities during the tradeshow, attracting thousands of attendees seeking to source products and services from verified Indigenous-owned businesses.
The evening of 21 August will see winners of Supply Nation’s Supplier Diversity Awards announced at the Gala Awards Dinner, celebrating outstanding achievements across the sector.
Social value quantified
Supply Nation’s recently released research, The Sleeping Giant Rises, found that Indigenous businesses create $1.66 of social value for every dollar of revenue, generating a total of $42.6 billion annually for Indigenous business owners, households and employees.
Social value encompasses positive changes seen through an Indigenous lens of wellbeing, including improved agency and control over life, expanded aspirations, financial security, pride, physical and mental wellbeing and stronger connections to community, culture and country.
“Indigenous businesses, their owners and employees are making a big difference to economic and social outcomes for all Australians, and that is worth celebrating,” Russell said.
The partnership with Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) as exclusive Media Partner for Connect 2025 includes National Indigenous Television (NITV), created by, for and about First Nations Australians.
Supply Nation provides Australia’s largest national directory of verified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and has worked since 2009 to shape the rapidly evolving Indigenous business sector.
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