Meet the First Nations entrepreneurs changing the game and be a part
of their next chapter.
Crystal Ailan
Overview
Crystal Ailan, established in 2021, is a Torres Strait Islander owned business that currently provides a pick-up and refund service for Containers for Change (QLD’s Container Refund Scheme) in Torres Strait. Since opening a container refund point (CRP) on Badu Island in 2022, Crystal Ailan has collected and refunded up to 1 million eligible beverage containers from the local community including containers from other neighbouring islands.
Crystal Ailan is in the final stages of a contract negotiation with Containers for Change, to extend its service to three neighbouring communities of St Pauls and Kubin on Moa Island and Mabuiag Island, with the potential to also service the remaining 11 communities in the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) area.
Crystal Ailan is committed to provide equal access to Containers for Change and potentially other recyclable materials. The opportunity to recycle eligible containers and reduce the amount of these recyclables going into the local landfills is a key solution to waste reduction, littering and extend the life of landfills.

Funding need
At their Badu Island depot, Crystal Ailan currently collects approximately 10,000 to 20,000 recyclable containers. They are now seeking funding to expand operations into nearby communities, including Kubin, St Pauls, and Mabuiag Islands.
To support this growth, they require a vessel that will enhance their operational capacity and provide a reliable foundation for employment, training, and sustainable development across the communities they serve.
Ithangee Fisheries
Overview
Ithangee Fisheries is a 100% Indigenous-owned Tropical Rock Lobster business based in Seisia and led by Ian Wymarra, an experienced diver with deep local knowledge, strong buyer relationships, and a commitment to sustainable and community-driven operations. The business has already established a successful track record, supplying premium live lobster to TS Seafood on Thursday Island.
With over nine years of diving experience, including four as a harvest diver, and a background in the navy and underwater construction, Ian is exceptionally well-placed to expand this operation. His strong work ethic, existing market connections, and deep knowledge of local waters position the business for sustainable growth and increased Indigenous participation in the seafood industry.

Funding need
Ithangee Fisheries is seeking capital to purchase a commercial fishing boat to support and expand its crayfishing operations. The boat is a critical asset required for safe, efficient, and sustainable harvesting of crayfish across the Torres Strait Region.
Currently, Ithangee Fisheries operates with limited marine access, restricting the scale and consistency of its catch. With a dedicated vessel, the business will be able to increase catch capacity, improve time on water, access more productive fishing grounds, and maintain the quality and freshness of the harvest. This will also support compliance with licensing and safety regulations.
Maluka Escape
Overview
Maluka Escape Pty Ltd is an Indigenous-owned and operated tourism company that capitalises on eco-cultural tourism around the inner island and the western cluster group of islands in the Torres Strait. Their Salt and Sand getaways are a seascaper’s dream, to escape the hustle and bustle of the land and experience life on the ocean, our way.
Maluka in the local Kala Lagaw Ya language means ‘into the ocean’. Maluka Escape’s foundational focus is seafaring. To celebrate our heritage and history as seafarers who have relied heavily on the maritime industry and trade with other islands and coastal villages, we bring to you the best experience of Torres Strait’s life on the ocean, boasting our fishing adventures, luxury accommodation, island-hopping cultural tours, and a spot of billy tea and damper on the beach while yarning with the locals; and if you’re lucky, indulge in our mouth-watering freshly caught seafood cuisine.

Funding need
Maluka Escape is seeking to raise $200,000 to launch and grow a premium tourism experience in the Torres Strait. This investment will fund the purchase of a vessel to kick off operations, provide essential capital for business setup, and cover wages and on-costs for a skilled team to deliver high-quality, culturally connected guest experiences. With strong market potential and a clear vision, Maluka Escape offers a distinctive opportunity to invest in sustainable, experience-led tourism that showcases the beauty and stories of the region.
Maluka Escape offers a distinctive opportunity to invest in sustainable capacity building programs through training and employment pathways and experience-led tourism that showcases the beauty and stories of the region.
Mangrove Solutions
Overview
Mangrove Solutions is a 100% First Nations-owned and operated environmental services company, combining cultural knowledge with scientific expertise to care for Country. They deliver hands-on conservation and restoration projects while creating meaningful employment and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
They are based in the Cairns region and work across land and sea Country, from the mangroves to the reef.
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Funding need
Mangrove Solutions is entering its next phase of sustainable growth, focused on increasing operational independence and environmental resilience. As part of this expansion, the business aims to:
- Purchase and customise its own shipping containers to enable mobile, scalable infrastructure tailored to remote project delivery.
- Operate entirely off-grid, reducing reliance on external utilities and increasing adaptability in diverse locations.
- Implement solar energy systems to power operations sustainably, aligning with eco-conscious values and reducing long-term energy costs.
- Transport in fresh water to maintain autonomy and ensure reliable access in remote or undeveloped areas.
This strategic shift positions Mangrove Solutions to deliver agile, low-impact services in challenging environments while reinforcing its commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Normanby Aboriginal Corporation
Overview
The Normanby Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) manage Normanby Station, Balnggarrawarra Country, and have dual missions of; sustainable natural resources management to maintain the cultural and environmental values of Country, and to use the Balnggarrawarra estate to develop nature positive and economically sustainable business on Country.
Normanby Station in Cape York is over 30,000 hectares, with many sandstone escarpments containing extensive rock art paintings and cultural sites. Normanby Station is operated with healthy and sustainable land management practices at the core of their efforts.
The corporations’ work includes conserving rock art and cultural sites, managing fire and vegetation (using both traditional knowledge and best practice), protecting the original Normanby homestead, and monitoring native species like rare Coix grass. They also control feral animals and priority weeds, monitor water quality and wetlands, carry out large-scale erosion control to reduce sediment in the Normanby River and Great Barrier Reef, and engage youth through work experience programs.
Funding need
A feature of this land management is removing the roaming wild cattle, which cause erosion in the many escarpments, degradation of riparian zones and sedimentary run off into rivers, and ultimately the great barrier reef to the east.
NAC are about to launch a pilot program that works to address an ongoing ecological and cultural threat to the land on Normanby Station in Cape York by developing an innovative, Indigenous-led regenerative enterprise, Normanby Bush Beef.
This initiative is designed to deliver four key social outcomes: Caring for Country, food security amid extreme weather patterns, economic inclusion for First Nations families and local communities, and Indigenous employment.
NAC needs capital to operationalise this pilot program and establish the foundational infrastructure required for its successful delivery and long-term sustainability.
Pinga Skincare
Overview
Pinga – meaning ‘to flower, blossom’.
Pinga Skincare is an innovative Australian skincare brand with a mission to celebrate the natural beauty and cultural richness of Cape York Peninsula — while creating real, lasting social and environmental impact.
Founded by Kaantju, Umpila, and Kuuku Ya’u woman Shonae Hobson, who was raised in Coen, Cape York. At its core, the brand is about more than skincare — it’s about protecting and promoting the unique ecosystems of Cape York, and ensuring that Indigenous knowledge systems are respected, valued, and shared ethically.
Pinga works in close partnership with Indigenous suppliers to identify and sustainably source bioactive ingredients, while also raising awareness of Cape York’s extraordinary biodiversity. Through this model, we aim to support the conservation of fragile ecosystems, promote regenerative land practices, and strengthen the role of Traditional Owners as custodians of Country.
We are committed to building employment pathways and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities through training, enterprise, and participation in the native botanicals and skincare industries. By investing in cultural knowledge transfer and supporting community-led development, Pinga is helping to grow a future where First Nations people are leaders in both conservation and innovation.
Our vision is to position Pinga as a values-led skincare brand that is results-driven, environmentally responsible, and socially grounded — a brand where every product tells a story of care for skin, Country, and culture.

Funding need
Pinga Skincare is seeking an investment of $100,000 to bring their innovative skincare range to market. They are currently in the research and development stage, refining our formulations to ensure they are effective, safe, and aligned with our values.
This funding will support essential next steps, including product testing and certification, branding and marketing, and establishing initial sales channels. With a clear roadmap, a unique product offering, and a growing demand for high-quality skincare, Pinga Skincare is excited to launch strong.
Rainforest To Bush
Overview
Rainforest to Bush Cultural Experiences (RTBCE) was established in 2021 by members of the Rosas/Walker family, who recognised the importance of creating a lasting entity that fosters employment and economic opportunities within their local Indigenous community. This initiative stems from a long-held vision to reconnect with culture and to protect, preserve, and share traditional knowledge with others.
Based on the Atherton Tablelands, RTBCE is proud to be an Aboriginal-owned and operated family business offering immersive cultural tours across their traditional homelands of Yidinji and Mbabaram Countries. Their tours are designed not only to provide meaningful cultural engagement but also to create training and employment pathways for the local Indigenous community, ensuring that their cultural heritage is upheld and passed on to future generations.

Funding need
RTBCE is seeking $30,000 in funding to support the ongoing growth and development of their tourism operations, with a focus on building local capacity and improving infrastructure. The funds will enable essential training for tour guides, upgrades to campground facilities, and maintenance equipment that will enhance visitor experience and ensure long-term sustainability.
Remote OpShop Project
Overview
Remote OpShop Project is a national network of community-owned and operated opshops across remote First Nations communities.
The opshop serves three key purposes:
- Provides access to affordable clothing and household good
- Offers enterprise training and small business skill development.
- Generates income to support locally-led cultural initiatives.
Grounded in circular economy principles, the project diverts excess goods from landfill and transforms them into social, economic, and cultural opportunities in some of Australia’s most remote and underserved areas.
With a current network of 40 opshops, we’re backed by a donor community of over 45,000 people and operate a Reuse Hub in Darwin, which also receives stock from national brands.
In the next five years, we aim to scale our impact through regional hubs in Cairns, Broome, and Alice Springs—supporting 120 remote communities and giving over 75,000 people improved access to essential items, training, and opportunity.

Funding need
$1.5 million over three years.
The Remote OpShop Project seeks multi-year philanthropic funding to support core operational costs at our Darwin headquarters. This investment will provide our central hub with the necessary resources to drive the next phase of growth and expand our initiatives to remote communities across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland.
The Darwin headquarters will serve as the operational heart of the project, ensuring efficient coordination and centralised management. It will also be instrumental in enabling our long-term growth and deepening our impact across remote First Nations communities.
Salty Monkeys
Overview
Salty Monkeys is a 100% Indigenous-owned brand that showcases the ocean, Torres Strait Culture, and its people. Their purpose is to build revenue through sustainable products to deliver social impact across the Torres Strait.
They are ocean enthusiasts, offering high-quality apparel and promoting sustainability through education, community, and creative collaborations. Some of their current projects include; Marine Debris Task Force and Future Leaders Workshops. The Marine Debris Task Force is endeavouring to collect data from community beach cleanups, work with professionals and key stakeholders to spark innovative solutions, and create opportunities for locals to use the marine debris as a potential resource.
Funding need
We are currently seeking funding and support across several key areas to help scale our impact. Firstly, we require $450,000–$500,000 to secure a multipurpose vessel, which will significantly expand the scope of our operations across the Torres Strait Islands. This vessel will enable safer, more efficient transport and open up opportunities for deeper community engagement and service delivery. We are also looking to secure $400,000–$500,000 to continue the development of our innovative dive fins made from recycled plastics – a project that combines sustainability, cultural relevance, and economic opportunity. In addition, we’re seeking support for website development and enhanced functionality, as well as video editing capacity to better tell our stories and reach wider audiences. We welcome conversations with those interested in contributing financially, and we also invite any potential pro bono support in the areas of web development and video editing.
TRAWQ Indigenous Corporation
Overview
TRAWQ stands for the five communities that reside at the back of Thursday Island: Tamwoy, Rosehill, Aplin, Waiben, and Quarantine. TRAWQ’s vision is to empower the TSI people by providing sustainable economic development that allows the community to manage its own affairs; provide greater degree of autonomy and to maintain its rich culture.
At TRAWQ Indigenous Corporation, their aim is to also provide youth in the area with activity and education services that extend beyond the normal school day.

Funding need
TRAWQ is rolling out a 12-month community bus pilot program addressing the challenge residents face in lack of transport options across the island. This initiative is about reconnecting our community and making everyday travel more affordable and accessible. The bus will be affordable for community and operate a regular loop from Monday – Friday.
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