Land – The Next Economy

Walking Together: A conversation with Darryl French-Majid, CEO of Esparq Ventures

Esparq Ventures is quietly reshaping the Indigenous business landscape across Northern Australia. In less than two years, its community-led model has supported dozens of Indigenous entrepreneurs to launch and grow ventures across sectors like tourism, agriculture, technology and education. These businesses are creating jobs, building founder confidence, and strengthening local economies – all while staying grounded in culture and Country.

Esparq Ventures is an Indigenous-led organisation working alongside Indigenous entrepreneurs to grow strong, successful businesses and a thriving First Nations business ecosystem. Founded in 2024, Esparq exists to back Indigenous founders with the tools, networks and support they need to take their ideas to market and succeed on their own terms. This includes building ventures, unlocking new market opportunities, and strengthening the infrastructure needed to support a connected and resilient Indigenous economy. Everything we do is grounded in self-determination and a belief in what’s possible when communities have the resources to shape their own futures. Esparq has 100% Indigenous membership and a majority Indigenous Board.

 To find out more visit: www.esparq.com.au

Darryl Majid, founder and CEO of Esparq, is modest about his own achievements – but when he speaks about his team, their work, and the people they walk alongside, his enthusiasm is unmistakable. In this conversation, Darryl shares the thinking behind Esparq’s approach, the lessons learned from walking alongside entrepreneurs in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait, and the bold vision driving the company’s next chapter.

This conversation accompanies Walking Together, Esparq’s first official report, co-authored with The Next Economy, and explores the challenges, opportunities and stories shaping a new Indigenous-led business ecosystem.

Tell us about your journey – what’s your background, and what inspired you to start Esparq Ventures?

I started out working in the space as a First Nations Lead, alongside some incredibly talented and passionate people. We were making early progress in building Indigenous social enterprises, and that experience gave me a real sense of what was possible. But it also highlighted the limitations of traditional structures for Indigenous businesses.

In August 2023, I made the decision to leave and build something new. I’d just become a father, so part of it was necessity – I needed to bring in income. But I also knew I had a unique skill set and a deep passion for this work. I’ve always thrived on the challenge of raising capital and pitching ideas, it scratches a competitive itch for me.

More importantly, I saw that there were all sorts of people and funders who genuinely wanted to support Indigenous businesses but didn’t know how to connect with the right people or navigate the cultural context. Esparq was born out of that gap – to walk alongside entrepreneurs, unlock opportunities, and build something that could truly shift the landscape.

You often talk about ‘walking alongside’ entrepreneurs, and it’s the name of the paper, what does that look like in practice?

It means going the long route. We’re not just handing over a business plan and walking away. We pitch for our clients, call out bad actors, ring government on their behalf. We pool shared resources like bookkeeping. It’s a tough model – expensive and time-intensive – but we believe the long-term investment will pay off.

We’re deeply embedded in the work. We’re part of the business, not just advisors. That’s what walking alongside really means.

What are the biggest barriers Indigenous entrepreneurs face – especially in remote or regional areas? Why haven’t traditional investment models worked?

Capital is the biggest barrier – always. There are lots of other barriers, but they all come back to money. Non-Indigenous entrepreneurs are more likely to have access to family savings or assets they can leverage. That’s not the reality for most Indigenous people. If you don’t have money, you can’t get money.

Traditional investment models assume that kind of access. They’re built around people who can self-fund or bootstrap. That’s why they haven’t worked – they don’t account for the structural disadvantage Indigenous entrepreneurs face.

What kind of future do you imagine for Indigenous entrepreneurship, and how does Esparq help bring that to life?

I imagine a future with more access, more exposure, and more maturity in the Indigenous business sector. Right now, a lot of businesses are sole traders or joint ventures – many are dependent on grants, not loans; not independently owned or scalable. We need to build models that allow Indigenous entrepreneurs to grow and thrive, not just survive.

Esparq is about creating those models. We’re building businesses that can replicate and scale across northern Australia – like Bush Beef, which allows Indigenous cattle breeders to supply into a single entity to better access markets. Through one business, we can create many. It’s about solving our own problems and using those learnings to drive systems change.

What strengths do you see in the businesses you work with, and what are some common misconceptions?

One big misconception is that Indigenous people aren’t entrepreneurial – but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There’s a genuine entrepreneurial spirit in our communities. People are running multiple micro-businesses, juggling jobs, and constantly innovating. In the past two weeks alone, we’ve had leads ranging from drone tech to AI tools for classrooms. The ideas are out there.

The strength lies in the people.

We look for founders with tenacity, creativity and character … the kind of high-agency individuals who move with urgency, challenge the status quo and find a way to keep going when others stop looking. Like the woman who catered for a full group from a tiny kitchen with a single burner — and still delivered unforgettable food, by boat. Or the tourism founder who couldn’t get funding, but rallied volunteers, built partnerships and got a bus on the road to market his vision. You can’t help or teach this stuff. The rest – pricing, bookkeeping, operations – we can help with.

What does success look like for Esparq, beyond just the numbers? How should we be measuring value in Indigenous business?

Success is about empowering people to create wealth and autonomy. If people have money, good things follow. We don’t need to define impact narrowly – we just need to record the great things that happen when communities are empowered.

Measuring jobs, revenue, and businesses supported has its role. But a job in Cairns isn’t the same as a job in remote Cape York. We need to tell the stories of what happens when people are given wealth and autonomy – that’s the real impact.

What did the Esparq Partner Experience in Cairns and the Torres Strait mean to you – personally and professionally?

It was surreal. I’ve never had many traditional jobs, so I’m always figuring things out. Professionally, it opened new opportunities for Esparq and the businesses we support. Personally, it was more relief than excitement – just knowing it worked, and it all came together.

The trip wasn’t about showcasing our work – it was about introducing people to the communities we work with. That’s the difference. We’re not saying, ‘come see what we’ve done’ – we’re saying ‘come meet the people we’re walking alongside’.

What’s next for Esparq, and what are you most excited about in this next phase?

We’re shifting toward building scalable businesses and co-founding with community. Bush Beef is another good example – one head business that Traditional Owners can supply to. We’re piloting tourism and logistics networks to break down barriers of remoteness. It’s about replicating and scaling models across northern Australia.

We’re also using those learnings to shape new products – like our Futures Fund, alongside shared services. It’s about solving our own problems and building systems that work for our communities.

What message would you share with investors, policymakers, or aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs reading your new report?

There’s a quote I relate to: ‘It’s human nature to overestimate risk and underestimate opportunity’. The risks aren’t as big as you think, and the opportunities are bigger. Despite all the barriers, people are still finding a way to win. Imagine what we could do if we unlocked those barriers.

For entrepreneurs, I don’t want to sugarcoat it – business is hard. It’s not for everyone. But if you’re still keen after hearing that, then maybe it is for you. We’re here to walk alongside those who are ready to take that leap.

Read Walking Together: Building Indigenous Business in Northern Australia – a new report by Esparq Ventures, co-authored with The Next Economy.

Walking Together: Building Indigenous Business in Northern Australia

A new report by Esparq Ventures, co-authored with The Next Economy

Esparq Ventures is working with Indigenous entrepreneurs across northern Australia to grow successful businesses grounded in culture, community and self-determination.

Walking Together shares early insights from this work. It highlights the challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous businesses, and how Esparq’s model is helping to grow a more connected, resilient and thriving Indigenous business ecosystem.

Co-authored with The Next Economy, the report features stories from the ground, reflections from the team, and lessons to inform policy, funding and systems change. It also captures the spirit of Esparq’s approach – walking alongside communities and backing their vision for the future.

Read the full report here

Find out more in our Q+A with the CEO of Esparq Ventures: Walking Together: A conversation with Darryl French-Majid

Nature, people and place: why Australia’s environmental laws are critical for regions

Australia is rewriting its national environmental laws in response to widespread recognition that the current system is failing both nature and communities. In our submission to the reform process, we shared what we’ve heard from regional Australians around how to make these laws work for people, place and the environment.

Australia’s national environmental laws (commonly referred to as the EPBC Act) are under reform, a long-awaited response to widespread recognition that the existing system has been failing both nature and communities.

Regional Australians and communities are on the frontline of economic and environmental change. Major infrastructure and industry projects are reshaping landscapes, economies and communities at a pace not seen for decades. These developments will often fall under the scope of these reforms, and how the new national environmental laws are designed and implemented will directly affect regional people, places and industries. Getting it right for the regions is key to getting it right for the country.

Lake Moondarra in Mt Isa, an important water resource for locals. Credit: Chris Grose

At The Next Economy, we made a submission to the recent national review process. Drawing on years of work alongside regional communities, we highlighted how clear and effective national environmental laws are essential not only for protecting biodiversity, but for ensuring regional communities can participate in, inform, and benefit from sustainable development.

We made a number of suggestions in our submission – including the need to involve regions as active partners in decisions around land, water, biodiversity and cultural heritage. Done well, this approach can build trust and provide long-term certainty for communities, industry and government.

Regions care deeply about the environment, and want a say in looking after it

People in regional areas have a deep connection to their local environments. First Nations peoples continue to care for Country they have for thousands of years. Farmers, land managers, and local organisations are restoring landscapes, protecting biodiversity, and trialling regenerative practices.

The clear message from across our engagement is: people want to contribute to environmental stewardship, not be excluded from decisions that shape the places they live and work in. In turn, national environmental laws should reflect and support this shared responsibility.

We’re not asking for handouts. We want the government to help us build sustainable, thriving and diverse regional communities.
Hunter Valley, NSW, resident

The pace of development is accelerating, and planning needs to keep up

From energy infrastructure to new mines and transport projects, many regional communities of Australia are experiencing a scale of development not seen before in their lifetimes. While most recognise the importance of reducing emissions and diversifying local economies, there is also legitimate concern the speed of development could damage the ecosystems they depend on.

For example, regional councils and planning bodies are under pressure, often managing overlapping project proposals without the resources or tools to coordinate them well. Proposed reforms to introduce bioregional planning could help manage cumulative impacts most effectively if the plans are developed transparently, with strong national environmental standards and meaningful community input.

National Environmental Standards set the rules and benchmarks that guide how environmental decisions are made. Embedding the intent of the Standards into the reform bill itself avoids the risk of processes being inconsistent, politically vulnerable, and failing to meet their intended goals.

What we have left in terms of biodiversity is precious and irreplaceable.
Uralla, NSW, resident

Community hopes and concerns around how renewables might impact nature and land use, Uralla NSW. Credit: Lyndsay Walsh

Community engagement is essential to building trust

Across every region we work in, from coal regions to those with agriculture and primary production as their foundation, people are asking for the same thing: early, clear and respectful engagement. They want to be involved in shaping the future, not just responding to decisions after they’re made.

Good engagement can’t be rushed and should be covered in its own Standard. It needs to be local, inclusive, and transparent – especially when dealing with complex planning issues. Structured dialogue, space for different views and clear feedback loops are essential to making engagement meaningful.

Staying informed, sharing what we are witnessing on the ground, and engaging in new ideas helps us better support Mount Isa families and individuals in need.
Mount Isa, Qld, resident

What’s needed to make these reforms work for regional Australia

Our submission to the reform process highlighted several opportunities to improve outcomes through the EPBC Act:

1. Participatory regional planning

Our experience working with regions highlights that effective regional planning considers cumulative environmental, social, economic and cultural impacts. Processes should be place- based, participatory and inclusive of diverse local voices including Traditional Owners and communities, who have local knowledge of land, water and climate pressures.

2. Safeguards around fast-track pathways

While faster assessments may be beneficial, they should not come at the cost of strong environmental standards or community input. Trust in planning systems relies on transparent, consistent rules that apply to all projects – including large and high- risk developments.

3. Local benefits from offsets and restoration

Offset mechanisms provide an opportunity to support environmental repair in the regions they affect. That means investing in locally governed land care and restoration efforts that create jobs, strengthen drought resilience, and go some way in compensating for damage and impacts to local ecosystems.

4. Embedding First Nations leadership

It is critical that environmental laws respect cultural values and rights, including Free, Prior and Informed Consent. Recognising First Nations knowledge, governance and land management is essential to ecological restoration and climate resilience.

5. Adapting to climate risk

Assessment frameworks must account for a changing climate, not just today’s conditions. Climate risk and future impacts on ecosystems, water and communities should be central to all planning and approvals.

We will know we are achieving a good energy transition when the environment is protected and nurtured.
Latrobe Valley, Vic, resident

Looking ahead: implementation will be the true test

Sunset on the Hay Plains, NSW. Credit: Jacqui Bell

Legislation matters, but what matters more is how it’s applied on the ground. For our national environmental laws to be effective, implementation should happen in ways that:

Deliver real improvements for the environment

Support strong, inclusive regional economies

Build public trust through transparency and accountability

Reflect the values and knowledge of local communities.

Regional Australia is where these reforms will play out – in our forests, farms, waterways, landscapes and towns. The knowledge and leadership already present in these communities is a critical part of getting it right.

The Economy We Could Have – Webinar

Australia’s economy has delivered prosperity for some, but left many behind. The divides in housing, health, income and opportunity are widening — and they’re not inevitable. They’re the result of decisions, shaped by values and power.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Across Australia and around the world, communities are already building alternatives — from cooperative energy projects and regenerative food systems to new legal frameworks and circular design. These examples show that change is not only possible: it’s already happening.

In this one-hour session, The Next Economy CEO Lizzie Webb joins lead author Katherine Trebeck to unpack insights from The Economy We Could Have — a new paper that looks under the bonnet of the Australian economy and reveals how we can move beyond isolated ‘Lego wins’ toward a wellbeing economy that prioritises dignity, fairness, connection and ecological care.

📅 Date: Thursday, 12pm AEST (1PM AEDT), 4 December 2025

📍 Location: Online

🎟 Tickets:  This event has already happened – watch the video below!

🎤 Speakers: The Next Economy CEO Lizzie Webb in conversation with lead author Katherine Trebeck.

🔗 Explore the paper here

Watch the video

The Economy We Could Have: new paper out now

Australia’s economy looks strong on the surface, but behind the averages lie deep divides in housing, work, health and opportunity. Our new paper, The Economy We Could Have, asks what our economy is really designed to do, who it is working for, and how it can support people’s wellbeing.

Australia is at a pivotal moment. While headline statistics suggest strong performance, looking under the bonnet of these numbers reveals widening divides in housing, health, income, and opportunity. Rising inequality and climate disruption demand a closer look at our economic system: what is it designed to do – and who benefits?

The Economy We Could Have explores how Australia’s economic story has shifted over the decades, the divides created along the way, and the alternatives already being built. It sets out practical steps for governments, enterprises and communities to move beyond isolated “Lego wins” and instead embed a wellbeing economy – one that puts dignity, fairness, connection and ecological care at its centre. 

As lead author, Katherine Trebeck, puts it:

Transformational change is possible. Australia has done it before – from Medicare to minimum wages – and we can do it again. 

The challenge

The paper traces Australia’s shift from predistribution – fair wages and public investment – to a model marked by precariousness, asset accumulation, and financial advantage for a few. It also highlights how system-compliant fixes and short-term crisis responses can stall deeper progress.

One in seven Australians live in poverty. Many face insecure work, unaffordable homes and stretched services that respond to crisis rather than prevent it. These outcomes are not inevitable. They are the result of decisions – shaped by values and power – that have concentrated advantage for some and shifted risks onto others. 

The alternatives

The good news that is change is possible. The economy is a human-made system, and it can be redesigned. Across the country, communities are already showing what that momentum for change is growing. Australians are increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo and open to rethinking economic priorities.

One promising framework is the wellbeing economy, which according to the Wellbeing Economy Alliance can deliver the following needs:

Nature, connection, dignity, fairness, participation

There are plenty of examples of these goals already being delivered in practice:

Earthworker Cooperative (Latrobe Valley, VIC)	Australia’s first worker-owned factory, producing solar hot water systems to serve its worker-owners.
Food Connect Shed (Brisbane, QLD):	A cooperative food enterprise owned by 500+ ‘careholders’, rooted in equity and regeneration.
Marlinja Power Project (NT):	Community-installed solar panels and battery storage enabling near energy self-sufficiency – an example of climate resilience.

Governments are beginning to respond. The Federal Government’s Measuring What Matters statement is expanding how national success is defined, incorporating indicators for health, sustainability, and social cohesion. In Victoria, the Early Intervention Investment Framework is embedding preventative health and social approaches into budget decisions, valuing long-term wellbeing over short-term fixes.

Australia’s future depends on whether we can move beyond piecemeal reforms to embrace systemic change. By learning from community-led initiatives and adopting frameworks like the wellbeing economy, we can build a more inclusive, resilient, and caring society – one that works for everyone.

Read the full report here:

DOWNLOAD REPORT

In Profile: First Nations Hub Network, Forever Reef Project

Partnering for Coral Biodiversity Conservation

The Next Economy is proud to partner with Great Barrier Reef Legacy on the Forever Reef Project. Our contribution will support the co-design, launch and operation of the project’s First Nations Living Coral Biobank Hub Network—an ambitious initiative to protect coral biodiversity and strengthen regional economies through First Peoples leadership and innovation.

A New Chapter in Reef Conservation

As the climate crisis intensifies, the need for bold, collaborative action to protect the Great Barrier Reef has never been more urgent. Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, yet they are also among the most vulnerable. The Forever Reef Project, led by Great Barrier Reef Legacy (GBR Legacy), offers a powerful response: a living “Coral Ark” of coral species, safeguarded for future generations.

There is a clear window of opportunity to act immediately to secure the biodiversity of corals for all reefs, now and into the future. The Forever Reef Project will preserve the genetic biodiversity of hard coral species by collecting and maintaining living samples of over 400 species from the Great Barrier Reef and supporting reef-dependent communities to care for their corals around the world.
Dr Dean Miller, Founder and Managing Director, GBRL Legacy

At the heart of this effort is a commitment to First Peoples leadership. The Forever Reef Hub Network will be a series of purpose-built coral care facilities, managed by Reef Traditional Custodians across

the Reef’s expanse — from Bundaberg to the Torres Strait. These hubs will not only preserve coral biodiversity but also create jobs, support cultural knowledge sharing and education initiatives, and strengthen Sea Country stewardship.

The Next Economy’s Role

The Next Economy (TNE) is proud to support the delivery of Stage 2 of the Forever Reef First Nations Living Coral Biobank Hub Network. Our role focuses on supporting the establishment of the pilot Hub in partnership with Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation (DWAC); and laying the groundwork for development the broader network.

This work builds on the successful completion of Stage 1, which developed the business model for the Hub Network. Stage 2 is now underway, transitioning the project from concept to reality.

We’re excited to be making a difference by preserving and nurturing the coral biodiversity of Yirrganydji Sea Country through our cultural lens for our current and future generations.
DWAC Team

Project Phases and Outcomes

The Forever Reef Hub Network is being developed in three key stages:

Stage 1: Design (Complete)

Development of the First Nations Living Coral Biobank Hub Network Business Model

Engagement, planning, and analysis (Sept 2022 – June 2023)

Stage 2: Demonstration (Underway)

Establishment of the Pilot Hub with Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation

Collection and preservation of hard coral species from Yirrganydji Country

Creation of new jobs in aquaculture, facility management, and education

Generation of new revenue from biodiversity conservation and education

Demonstration of education and engagement experiences

GBR Legacy and Dawul Wuru have completed site planning, ranger training has commenced, educational material is being developed, and revenue raising options are being scoped. Construction is due to commence in August and operations shortly afterwards.

TNE is supporting the project team to develop opportunities for sustainable revenue generation like access to biodiversity markets and assisting with the co-design of collaboration and agreement making protocols that are culturally appropriate and reflect the team’s aspiration for strong, long-term collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Stage 3: Scaling (Future)

Establishment of multiple First Nations Living Coral Biobank Hubs across the Reef

Preservation of all 400+ hard coral species from the Great Barrier Reef

Creation of sustainable jobs and regional economic opportunities

Deepened cultural connection and stewardship of sea country

More About GBR Legacy and Forever Reef

GBR Legacy is a not-for-profit social enterprise with over 35 years of experience in reef expeditions, science, and education. The Forever Reef Project is their flagship initiative to preserve the genetic diversity of hard coral species—starting with the Great Barrier Reef and expanding globally.

Their parent facility in Port Douglas already houses over one third of the Great Barrier Reef’s hard coral species making it the most biodiverse collection of living corals in the world. The goal is to collect and care for all remaining species in collaboration with Traditional Owners, ensuring their survival in the face of climate change.

To find out more visit: https://www.foreverreef.org

TNE’s 2025–2030 Strategy

For the next five years, The Next Economy will prioritise partnerships within critical regions: those that hold the key to Australia achieving net zero by 2035. This includes regions with significant levels of First Nations land and sea stewardship, particularly across Northern Australia.

TNE’s role working with GBR Legacy aims to support First Nations leadership and participation in coral biodiversity conservation along the Great Barrier Reef, within a model that facilitates economic sovereignty. This project will generate new insights into how First Nations communities can be better resourced to protect and regenerate nature and achieve Australia’s biodiversity and climate goals.

Our Permaculture Life

Episode 16 of Morag Gamble’s podcast Our Permaculture Life

The Next Economy CEO Amanda Cahill shares a conversation with Morag Gamble exploring leadership, transition, power, way-finding, change and resilience.