The First Nations House Summit, part of Perth's West Tech Fest, is driving transformative discussions on economic independence and collaboration within Indigenous communities.
The event brought together leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors from around the world to share strategies for empowering First Nations businesses and building global connections.
Gumbaynggirr/Dunghutti man and Deputy Chair of First Nations X, Les Delaforce, emphasised the summit's focus on democratising access to capital for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
"The goal today is really how we democratise access to capital and help to grow and scale this sector," he said.
Drawing from his personal experience, Mr Delaforce highlighted the challenges First Nations entrepreneurs face when seeking equity investment.
"As a former First Nations founder and now investor, I've found how hard it is firsthand to raise capital," he said.
"We know those barriers—lack of intergenerational wealth, lack of networks, and also an ease of access for capital."
Mr Delaforce's work includes founding the Black Angels Investment Network, an initiative designed to address these barriers by providing opportunities for First Nations entrepreneurs to connect with First Nations-led investment.
He described the importance of bridging gaps in funding and creating pathways for businesses to grow both locally and internationally.
"What we're trying to do is bridge that gap where we can create those opportunities for First Nations entrepreneurs to access First Nations-led investment," he said.
The summit also served as a platform for learning from international leaders in entrepreneurship and investment.
Mr Delaforce stressed the value of cross-cultural collaboration.
"We're really hoping attendees today working to merge together non-Indigenous and Indigenous entrepreneurship help to grow and scale this sector," he said.
He highlighted the importance of building connections with Native American, Latinx, and African American investors and entrepreneurs.
"It's about how we can create those shared bilateral trade and investment opportunities," he said.
By learning from global leaders, First Nations businesses in Australia can adopt new strategies and approaches to overcome challenges.
The summit's emphasis on scaling businesses aligns with Mr Delaforce's vision for economic growth among Indigenous entrepreneurs.
"For me, it was really important to learn from other international jurisdictions how they're supporting First Nations entrepreneurs to grow and scale and access capital," he said.
Reflecting on his journey, Mr Delaforce highlighted the critical need for networks and intergenerational wealth to support Indigenous business success.
"We know those barriers," he reiterated, "but this summit is about finding solutions and creating opportunities for the future".
The First Nations House Summit demonstrates the transformative power of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and access to resources.
Mr Delaforce's insights reflect the broader goals of the initiative, which seeks to elevate Indigenous entrepreneurs on a global stage.
With leaders like Mr Delaforce championing these efforts, the future looks promising for First Nations businesses striving for growth, equity, and economic empowerment.