First Nations X (FNX) is a not-for-profit organisation focused on empowering Indigenous Startup Businesses by bridging critical gaps in ecosystem support. Our mission is to foster economic and social impact within Indigenous communities through strategic connections to capital funding providers, potential corporate clients, and collaborators.

First Nations businesses provide significant benefits for individuals, communities and economies. Our goal is to facilitate a thriving Indigenous startup sector across Australia that contributes to broad economic prosperity and cultural well-being.

The Indigenous business sector is significant, with >12,000 businesses across Australia, turning over >$2 billion per year. From arts to accounting, bush foods to building services, cleaning to consulting, and telecommunications to technology. it is Indigenous businesses that are rapidly diversifying and growing at an exponential rate. 

They are up to 100x more likely to employ Indigenous Australians, and they diversify economic outcomes and contribute towards social and cultural well-being. Entrepreneurship is a viable pathway to employment and has high flow-on benefits to customers, staff, suppliers and the local community.  

First Nations X helps these ventures to start, grow and expand through investment readiness, connecting to capital and leveraging collaboration. Expanding the indigenous startup ecosystem, we showcase successful First Nations businesses, plus connect other organisations who are also supporting these economic pathways. This is all delivered through masterclass workshops, capability mentoring, and showcase events.

Watch this short video to learn more about us

Board of Directors: First Nations X Ltd

First Nations X: Programme of Events

First Nations businesses provide significant benefits for individuals, communities and economies.  They are up to 100x more likely to employ Indigenous Australians, and they diversify economic outcomes and contribute towards social and cultural well-being. 

Previous Speakers

The following people are some of the individuals who have been either a panellist speaker or key note speaker at previous FNX Events.

First Nations X events focus on sharing content and collaboration opportunities for Aboriginal business founders, owners, and future leaders.  Entrance is free for Aboriginal and Torres Straite Island People. 

  • Jahna Cedar

    Nyiyaparli woman, Blak Angel Investor, TedX Presenter, Executive Director - IPS Management Consultants

  • Florence Drummond

    Founder, Indigenous Women in Mining, Kalina Kiah & Kara Ged. K Farmer Dutjahn Foundation

  • Benson Saulo

    Managing Partner, First Australians Capital. Board Director of Innovation Unit. Fmr, Austrade Commissioner.

  • Bill Tai

    Global Venture Capitalist. Founder of ACTAI, ExtremeTech Challenge and West Tech Fest

  • Kyra Galante

    First Nations Participation Director. KBIC, Supporting Indigenous Communities. 40 under 40 Award

  • Steve King

    Director, Atlassian Foundation. Pledge 1% Advocate. CoFounder, Abilio & Jessica King Fellowship.

  • Jaynaya Winmar

    Indigenous Entrepreneur. MD, Essential Services Australia. Indigenous Engagement, AIA Group.

  • Kent Matla

    Kent Matla

    First Australians Capital. Chair, Australian Innovation Management Institute

  • Raquel Todd

    Raquel Todd

    Managing Director, Blak Line Industries. Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group, Fremantle Dockers.

  • Amanda Healy

    A Wonnarua woman. Founder/CEO of Warrikal & Kirrikin Foundation. Board Director, Waalitj Foundation.

  • Jasmine Kadic

    Jasmine Kadic

    MD, Benang Energy Infrastructure. Advisory Board, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing

  • Morgan Coleman

    Founder and CEO of LaMint. Finalist, Young Indigenous Entrepreneur. Fmr Founder and CEO of Vets on Call.

  • Nathan Cole

    Nathan Cole

    CoFounder, Blak Digital, building digital ecosystems and inclusion. Director, Noongar Mia Mia Housing.

  • Shannon McGuire

    CEO of Kirrikin Foundation, Miss Universe Australia 2008 finalist, Founder of Miss NAIDOC Perth

  • Bart Pigram

    Narlijia Cultural Tours. Culture and Heritage Consultant . Mabu Yawuru Ngan-ga Language Centre

  • Kylah Morrison

    Real Leadership for Women. Women on Boards. Fmr, CoFounder, Pilbara Indigenous Business Network

  • Steve Killelea

    Institute for Economics and Peace. Prominent Philanthropist. Fmr Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

  • Les Delaforce

    Fmr, Head of Entrepreneurship, Minderoo Foundation. Advisory Board , Aboriginal Trade and Investment

  • Remy Crick

    BDM at Ochre Ventures, part of the Indigenous Capital Limited group. Founder of Nextmove.

  • Pia Turcinov AM

    Board Chair, East Metropolitan Health Service. Board Director, FundWA, and Brainchip Holdings.

  • Stephen Dawson

    WA Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation & the Digital Economy; Tourism and Science.

  • Richard Tester

    Indigenous Business Founder & Leader. MD, Red Arrow Group, SAMSA Indigenous Scaffolding

  • Gordon Cole

    Chair, Noongar Chamber. Director, First Australians Capital, Member, National NAIDOC Committee

  • Paula Taylor

    Co-Founder First Nations X, COTU and West Tech Fest

  • Peter Rossdeutscher

    Multi-Sector Independent Board Director. Chair, First Nations X, Quantum Girls, Studio StartUp

  • Micheal Wear

    Mulgana man and Traditional Custodian of Shark Bay, WA, Managing Director, Tidal Moon

  • Lisa Andrews

    Prominent Futurist and Speaker. CEO of WAVIA, international faculty for Singularity University

  • James Arvanitakis

    Director of The Forrest Research Foundation. Cultural Researcher, Professor and Doctor of Philosophy.

  • Aaron Gershenberg

    Sr. Advisor & Founding Partner
    Emeritus, SVB Capital. Director, Best Buddies International

  • Ingrid Cumming

    Founder @ingridcumming. Noongar, Author, TedXPerth Alumni

  • Shannon McGuire

    CEO, Kirrikin Foundation.
    Founder, Miss NAIDOC Perth

  • Simone Kenmore

    Indigenous Business Banking Commonwealth Bank

  • Clayton Franklin

    Founder and owner, EPCA (Electric Power Conversions Australia)

  • Basil Zempilas

    Lord Mayor, City of Perth

  • Siriana Nair

    US Consul General, to Western Australia

  • Dawn Houle

    President/CEO, SunSinger Consulting, LLC

  • Eric Henson

    EVP, Compass Lexecon/ Harvard University

  • Melissa Wharton

    CEO, Canadian-Australian Chamber of Commerce

  • Eli Velasquez

    Founder & Managing Partner Investors of Color

  • Nicole Johnny

    Investments, Raven Indigenous Capital Partners

  • Hannah Mathews

    CEO Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA)

  • Jack Steele

    Film Director, International Emmy Winner

  • Kevin Wilson

    Creative Director Nani Creative

  • Amanda Smith

    President Native American Business Association

  • Ben Cooper

    Innovation & Strategy Partner, Time Under Tension

  • Rohan McDougall

    Director, Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer

  • Dr. Amanda Healy

    CEO of Warrikal.
    Adjunct Professor of Indigenous Business.

  • Clayton Franklin

    Founder and owner,
    EPCA (Electric Power Conversions Australia)

  • David Flanagan AO CitWA

    MD, Arrow Minerals. Patrol, Many Rivers

  • Dr. Julie Sunday

    High Commissioner for Canada in Australia

  • Rohan Workman

    MD, Skalata Ventures

  • Dawn Houle

    Best Selling Author of Business Success Secrets: Entrepreneurial Thinking That Works

  • Natalia Wi

    Founder, Ako Academy. Māori Entrepreneur. Te Ao Māori Educator.