Indigenous businesses, corporates and government recently met in Magandjin (Brisbane) to launch the Indigenous Business Gateway (IBG), a new platform aimed at strengthening Queensland's Indigenous business sector.
The IBG is an industry-led system owned and governed by the Queensland Indigenous Business Network (QIBN).
QIBN shaped the platform after years of consultation to ensure it reflects the sector's needs with cultural authority, accountability and transparent verification.
Bundjalung man and QIBN Co-Chair Shane Kennelly said the platform was built to showcase capability using technology and sector-led design.
"What we are going to reveal [with the launch] is the ability to use innovation and technology to combine into showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses here in Queensland."
"We were able to use technology to be able to scrape all publicly available information and to be able to then save a lot of administrative time to be able to represent that information onto the [IBG]."
"We consulted through the Department of Innovation five years ago and we had stakeholders from government, corporate, the Indigenous business sector, where we collaborated to work out what is it we need. What is the gap? How can we represent this data and this opportunity to ensure we can connect?"
The system brings together more than 2,000 sustainability, capability and performance credentials in one place.
It gives government and corporate buyers a clear view of a business's track record across ESG impact, workforce diversity, safety, compliance and financial indicators.
A central feature is its real-time validation engine, which updates business data from trusted national sources and reduces administrative work for suppliers.
This creates a live profile for each Indigenous business to support accurate and current information for buyers.
Mr Kennelly added verified information was essential for confidence in supplier capability.
"The importance of having all that verified data, that is not self-administered, [is so] you as a buyer can have the confidence that the business is delivering that product or service and they have the capability and capacity, and importantly, that they are Queenslanders," he said.
QIBN Member Badges identify Indigenous Majority (51%+) and Family (50%) owned, managed and controlled businesses in Queensland.
These badges offer visible assurance to organisations looking to engage with authentic Indigenous suppliers.
Minister for Women and Women's Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism, Fiona Simpson, attended the launch and described the platform as an "invaluable tool" for long-term sector growth.
She recognised the IBG as an important step in strengthening Indigenous business capability across the state.
QIBN Co-Chair and Acting Chief Executive Officer Julie-ann Lambourne said the launch was the result of a long consultation process driven by the needs of community.
"This consultation process has taken a long time to even get to the [launch of the] Indigenous Business Gateway."
"QIBN came from passion, and commitment, and the want for so much better for our mob... Everything we do is driven by mob and making sure we always do what mob asks, what they would like to see and opportunities [that are open to them]."
The launch marks a milestone in building a more connected Indigenous business ecosystem, with the IBG set to influence how Indigenous capability is recognised and engaged across Queensland.
