The NSW government and Charles Sturt University (CSU) have announced they have partnered under the government’s Boosting Business Innovation Program to develop an Indigenous Entrepreneurship Pop-Up Innovation Hub.

Deputy Premier and Small Business Minister John Barilaro said the ‘Walan Mayinygu Indigenous Entrepreneurship Pop up Innovation Hub’ will help Indigenous people interested or already engaged in local business to expand their business skills and take advantage of the unique business opportunities around them.

“Our Indigenous business sector is extremely diverse covering all spectrums of our economy: professional services, tourism, importing and exporting, mining, defence and civil contracting, landscape design, trades and artists to name just a few,” he said.

“The Pop Up Hub will create an opportunity for Indigenous people to be mentored and taught by established Indigenous entrepreneurs and business people.”

The Parliamentary Secretary for the Deputy Premier and Southern NSW, Bronnie Taylor, said the hub offered benefits to indigenous businesses throughout regional NSW.

“Targeting regional areas, the hub will be established for a week at a time in Lismore, Dubbo, Albury and Port Macquarie to develop regional Indigenous businesses,” she said.

“Each Pop-Up Hub will feature a series of events and activities including business master-classes, practical workshops, panel discussions, a business plan and pitch development studio, guest speakers and networking opportunities.”

CSU Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said through the Boost program CSU will develop a 'multi-region hub program' to continue its 100-year tradition of engaging with communities and industry to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.

“As well as Walan Mayinygu and the CenWest Innovate launched at Bathurst last week, CSU plans to develop an Agritech Incubator Hub in Wagga Wagga to develop agricultural technology innovation and start-ups for regional Australia,” he said.