The Blak Angels Investment Network was launched this morning in Perth, a First Nations-led program aimed at fostering economic growth, investment and empowerment within our First Nations communities.
The initiative has been made possible through the collaboration of the U.S. Consulate Perth, Minderoo’s Generation One, and a team of visionary First Nations investors from across Australia. The fund is already seeded with $500,000, including from the founders’ own money.
At the core of the Blak Angels Investment Network lies a delegation of 10 esteemed First Nations investors, the “Blak Angels”, 5 of whom are from WA. Their mission is to support early-stage and high-growth First Nations companies through investment and strategic funding.
The Blak Angels will also embark on a journey to the United States, where they will engage with and learn from investors and leaders from Native American, LatinX, and African American communities in the U.S. investment ecosystem.
In return, they will bring ten American investors back to visit Australia, meeting with the Blak Angels and other First Nations business leaders and investors.
The fundamental aim of the Blak Angels Investment Network is to increase investment in First Nations startups, generate more job opportunities and ignite collaboration between the U.S. and Australia.
Les Delaforce, Head of Indigenous Entrepreneurship, Minderoo
US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, who met with Minderoo in Perth in February, has backed the program.
“The Blak Angels Investment Network is a tangible demonstration of the US and Australia working together to create economic opportunities for underrepresented communities,” said Ms Kennedy.
“Through these exchanges, investors will gain knowledge, experience, and the people-to-people ties that underpin successful businesses – all of which will expand First Nations investor ecosystems in both our countries.”
Les Delaforce said he was hoping to attract 100 First Nations investors to the Blak Angels program over five years.
Having been inspired by the experience of New York-based Harlem Capital, who Les had been introduced to when he participated in the US government’s International Visitors Leadership Program in 2022.
Harlem Capital has grown rapidly over five years, raising $US174 million and investing in 51 businesses owned by African and Latin American entrepreneurs.
“I saw the need to think bigger and look internationally,” he said, “Businesses are 100 times more likely to employ indigenous staff if they are indigenous-owned.”
The Blak Angels
The 10 founding members of Blak Angels are:
- Kent Matla, managing director of Triangle Capital Partners.
- Jahna Cedar, executive drector at IPS Management consultants; a Nyiyaparli woman from the Pilbara.
- Alisha Geary, founder of Provvy and a director of Faebella; a Gurang-Gurang, Deibau, and Wuthathi descendant from North Queensland and the Torres Strait.
- Jerome Cubillo, CEO of Northern Territory Business Network; a Larrakia and Wadjigan man.
- Amanda Healy, founder and CEO of Warrikal an indigenous-owned mechanical services company in the Pilbara; a Wonnarua woman from the NSW Hunter Valley.
- Gordon Cole, a Noongar man who is CEO of Cole Supplies, a corporate apparel business, and director of Blak Digital.
- Jake Berthelot, a Potaruwutj Padthaway man with experience in strategy and finance across a variety of industries.
- Carol Vale, CEO of Murawin Pty Ltd, a specialist inter-cultural consultant and facilitator.
- Darryl Lyons, co-founder of Rainstick and a Maiawali man.
- Jaynaya Winmar, a Noongar/Balladong woman who is a “SheEO Activator”, the CEO and founder of Blakbone Sistahood, and founder of First People Property Group.
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