Creating opportunities together

Waalitj Foundation and Supply Nation have announced a partnership extension as they work together to provide support to Indigenous Businesses in Western Australia.

Originally commenced in 2020, the partnership will be extended through to June 2024 and aims to enable Indigenous Businesses to achieve their goals and aspirations.

The Waalitj Hub, a program of the Waalitj Foundation, assists the Indigenous business sector to thrive in WA by providing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wanting to start, grow or sustain their businesses.

Indigenous business owners have access to a range of services through the Waalitj Hub including state-of-the-art facilities, mentoring from business coaches, industry connections and independent professional services.

Since 2009, Supply Nation has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses along with procurement teams from government, corporate and not-for-profit Australia to help shape today’s emerging and rapidly growing Indigenous business sector. Supply Nation currently connects over 4,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses with over 700 member organisations, who are committed to embedding Indigenous business into their supply chain.

The partnership will include having a Supply Nation representative co-located on site at the Waalitj Hub as well as the delivery of client information sessions to increase uptake of Supply Nation certification. To date, the Waalitj Hub has supported over 300 Indigenous businesses and 159 procurement clients in Western Australia.

Waalitj Hub General Manager, Shane Devitt said working together with Supply Nation is a great fit for the Waalitj Hub and their mission of cultivating competitive and sustainable Indigenous businesses.

“Connecting with existing organisations such as Supply Nation further improves the quality and range of support services we offer Indigenous Businesses,” he said.

“Waalitj Hub is a great facility providing the opportunity for businesses and community to come together and have access to office facilities and collaboration space. It has proved to be extremely beneficial for our team to co-locate and engage with the community, while also supporting a community led business in Perth”, said Supply Nation CEO, Michelle Deshong.