Five Indigenous businesses have been chosen as the first cohort of a business growth program by the University of South Australia.

KML Business Solutions, Ochre Dawn, Pundi Produce, the Cryogenics Group, and Yanun Project Services have enrolled in the six-month Growth Ramp program, delivered by UniSA's Australian Centre for Business Growth (AUCBG), with funding support from partners The Circle First Nations Entrepreneur Hub, South Australia's Office for Small and Family Business, and the WA Government's New Industries Fund.

The fully funded-program is for Indigenous business owners, CEOs and managing directors of Aboriginal-owned companies who are looking to sustainably grow their organisation.

AUCBG director and Playford business growth chair Professor Ryan Williams said small First Nations companies often faced substantial challenges growing from focused small firms to fully developed and sustainable growth companies.

"Led by our Aboriginal Growth Expert Paul Brock, First Nations firms will be able to learn the skills and knowledge they need to grow and scale their companies in our face-to-face Growth Ramp," he said.

The Circle's operations manager Kelly May said investing in the growth and development of First Nations businesses was central to promoting self-sufficiency and economic empowerment for Indigenous people and communities.

"This Growth Ramp program for First Nations companies creates a powerful peer learning experience, as participants share their business growth journeys and form a lifelong network with other entrepreneurs," she said.

UniSA Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington AO said the Growth Ramp program demonstrated the university's commitment to the recognition of Indigenous innovations.

"We're excited to partner with The Circle to provide Aboriginal business owners in the Growth Ramp program the opportunity to realise their business growth aspirations," she said.

"This is in alignment with ambitions articulated in our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan and our Aboriginal Research Strategy."

Minister for Small and Family Business Andrea Michaels said building greater diversity within South Australia's business community was a key focus of the state's Small Business Strategy 2023-2030.

"Each of these First Nations-owned businesses has already forged a promising market opportunity in their respective sectors," she said.

"I am confident that participation in the Growth Ramp program will help these founders lead their teams to the next stage of business success."

More information about the Growth Ramp is available on the AUCBG website.

Participating First Nations companies in the Growth Ramp program:

KML Business Solutions provides high-quality accounting, bookkeeping and governance support services to both individuals and businesses, focusing on not-for-profits and Aboriginal organisations.

Ochre Dawn celebrates First Nations art, culture and heritage by providing artwork, corporate fit outs, uniforms, PPE, Reconciliation Action Plans and genuine engagement between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

Pundi Produce is a sustainable aquaponic farm that heroes entirely Indigenous Australian botanicals, organically grown Australian native fruit, vegetables and herbs, in their bitters.

The Cryogenics Group is a complete medical and industrial gas delivery maintenance company.

Yanun Project Services is a project services company which specialises in the planning, delivery and control of complex projects and programs across various markets including defence, transport, resources, utilities and social infrastructure.