Applications for the 2022 Dream Venture Masterclasses are now open for budding Indigenous entrepreneurs

Are you an ambitious Indigenous entrepreneur looking to take your venture to the next level?

$150,000 is on the table as Minderoo Foundation’s Generation One in partnership with Youth Co:Lab expands its support for Indigenous Australian entrepreneurs. 

The joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme and the Citi Foundation is inviting Australia’s Indigenous entrepreneurs to apply for the 2022 Dream Venture Masterclasses. 

Here, they’ll have access to world-class entrepreneurial training and mentorship and an opportunity to participate at the UN Global Entrepreneurship Conference, while also putting themselves in the running for a share of $150,000 of seed funding. 

What is Dream Venture Masterclasses?

Dream Venture Masterclasses is a first-of-its-kind program by Generation One that is dedicated to equipping Indigenous Australians with the connections, capabilities, and access to capital to become investor ready. 

Generation One Indigenous Entrepreneurship Director Leslie Delaforce said the program helps bring equal opportunities when it comes to investment. 

“We believe that Indigenous people should have the same opportunities to achieve economic independence and empowerment through employment and business as every other Australian, and Dream Venture Masterclasses will help to address some of the barriers that Indigenous Australians often face in accessing investment.”

This year’s programs

This year, two tailored programs will be delivered through July and August in partnership with Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship.

Indigenous entrepreneurs will receive a high level of coaching and mentorship to promote business growth and investment, as well as access to networks that can make that growth possible. 

The Youth Program

Offering places to 20 of Australia’s brightest young Indigenous founders between 18 – 30.

An Australian first, the Youth Program will be partnering with Youth Co:Lab, co-led by UNDP and Citi Foundation the largest youth social entrepreneurship program in the Asia-Pacific. With this partnership, entrepreneurs will get a chance to connect with the best and brightest from the Asia Pacific and tap into global networks. 

All participants will make a pitch to share in $75,000 worth of seed funding from Minderoo Foundation.

The Open Age Program

Offering places to 20 of Australia’s First Nations entrepreneurs at any age.

This masterclass will be tailored to support Indigenous Australian entrepreneurs and prepare their enterprise for growth with connection to mentors, investors, and peers. 

All participants in the Open Age program will make a pitch to share in $75,000 in seed funding from Minderoo Foundation.

Applications are open now – get yours in!

Applications for the 2022 Dream Venture Masterclasses are now open, and Indigenous entrepreneurs who have already started a business and want to grow or scale their enterprise to the next level are strongly encouraged to apply.

Visit dreamventure.com.au to put in your application now

Key Dates

• 18 May – 10 July: Applications open to all Indigenous entrepreneurs
• 2 – 25 August: Dream Venture Masterclasses delivered 100% online
• 25 August: All participants travel to Melbourne for gala pitch event

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