Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses gathered in Tarndanya (Adelaide) last week for the 2026 First Nations Business Showcase, connecting with government buyers, industry representatives and potential business partners.
Held at the National Wine Centre on Wednesday 4 November, the event featured 58 businesses across construction, technology, health, professional services, tourism and retail.
Now in its fifth year, the showcase is delivered by The Circle - First Nations Entrepreneur Hub, which supports more than 460 First Nations-owned businesses through Lot Fourteen.
South Australian Minister for State Development Chris Picton highlighted the growing role of Aboriginal businesses in government supply chains, with state procurement expenditure reaching $176.4 million in 2024-25, almost 25 per cent above the previous year.
The minister outlined the importance of connecting businesses with potential clients.
"Events like this are critical," Mr Picton said.
Jindawanyi Consulting - Amy Rust
Kokatha woman Amy Rust established Jindawayni Consulting to improve engagement between government, private organisations and Aboriginal communities.
The business provides community consultation, strategic communications, cultural awareness training and facilitation, while also supporting Aboriginal organisations with strategic planning.
Ms Rust identified shortcomings in government consultation as a reason for establishing the business.
"Government often don't do community consultation properly and they sort of go full steam ahead without talking to community properly and getting it wrong," she said.
While building her business, she has faced challenges navigating taxation, financial planning and administration, highlighting the need for more practical support for emerging Aboriginal entrepreneurs.
"There's always a lot of interest in Aboriginal people starting up businesses but I'm not sure that there's a support there for that quite basic information," Ms Rust said.
Yanun and Yari Supply - David Mallett
Ngarrindjeri man David Mallett operates two businesses, Yanun and Yari Supply, specialising in project management, procurement and industrial supplies.
Yanun provides project management, project controls, risk management and procurement services across sectors including health, defence, education and infrastructure.
The business has grown from a single desk at Lot Fourteen to 25 full-time employees across South Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales.
Yari Supply, established about 12 months ago, provides packaging and industrial products to the construction, mining, resources and defence sectors.
Mr Mallett also helped establish The Circle more than six years ago.
"I was part of the consultation group, the advisory group that set up the Circle, the Entrepreneurs Hub," he said.
"I think the Circle was to basically have a hub and a meeting place for First Nations businesses that are from South Australia."
Seven Seasons - Daniel Motlop
Larrakia man and former AFL player Daniel Motlop has built a business career through Something Wild and Seven Seasons Spirits.
The family-owned businesses use native Australian ingredients in products including spirits, jams and chutneys.
Seven Seasons has expanded into whisky, vodka and liqueurs, with plans to establish a cellar door in Darwin.
Mr Motlop emphasised the importance of Aboriginal ownership, protecting native ingredients and ensuring communities benefit from their use in commercial products.
"I think we've got to find a way to work with, I guess, places like ILSC and try to work with those guys to try to protect some of our native ingredients and make sure the right people's story is being told where these things are from," he said.
"All our suppliers are Aboriginal focused and we create products that, you know, we're going to buy from an Aboriginal community."
Munda Wines - Pauly Vandenbergh
Wirangu and Kokatha man Pauly Vandenbergh founded Munda Wines to increase First Nations representation in Australia's wine industry.
Established in 2021, the business produces wines from different regions and acknowledges Traditional Owners through its labels.
"Munda in my Wirangu language means land and country and it was all about celebrating the traditional owners as well," Mr Vandenbergh said.
The business currently has eight wines on the market, with products available online, through restaurants and retailers.
The showcase provided an opportunity to encourage businesses to purchase from Indigenous suppliers.
"Those small opportunities go a long way for us as Indigenous owners," he said.
Tribes United Fitness - Rikki Milera-Wilson
Narungga, Adnyamathanha, Kokotha and Wirangu woman Rikki Milera-Wilson established Tribes United Fitness in 2015, focusing on preventative health, cultural connection and community wellbeing.
Her work has expanded from personal training into empowerment programs and immersive guided breath work sessions used by government organisations.
Ms Milera-Wilson identified a gap between disease management and prevention when developing her business.
"I started to kind of go down the rabbit hole and ask questions around the Closing the Gap initiatives and why there was only disease management programs and not disease prevention programs," she said.
As a sole trader, she has built the business around cultural protocols and community connections.
"I'm very big on connecting with community, doing things right way, cultural protocols," Ms Milera-Wilson said.
Nukkan Supply Co - Sara Bingapore
Ngarrindjeri and Torres Strait Islander woman Sara Bingapore established Nukkan Supply Co to provide products and equipment to the construction industry.
The business supplies everything from office consumables to heavy machinery and is already servicing Lot Fourteen.
Ms Bingapore founded the company four months ago, inspired by her father and a desire to build something for her son.
"This to me is more than just a company. This to me is a legacy leaving behind for my son," she said.
"For me this is the biggest achievement of my life and that's why I lead with a lot of integrity," she said.
The 2026 First Nations Business Showcase was presented by The Circle in partnership with the National Wine Centre of Australia and the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
The full list of exhibitors is available on The Circle's website.
