Kinaway-The Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce

What Kinaway-The Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce does

Kinaway-The Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce is a registered charity and dedicated chamber of commerce founded in 2010 and headquartered in South Melbourne, Victoria, that serves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across Victoria. The organization operates as the lead certifying body in Victoria for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander businesses, validating that member businesses are at least 51% Indigenous-owned and operated, and provides a Business Directory connecting certified suppliers with government and corporate buyers for Indigenous procurement opportunities under the Victorian Social Procurement Policy.

The organization's core product surface spans certification and membership services, the Business Directory (an online registry at mms.kinaway.com.au), the Kinaway Employment Program (KEP) for workforce upskilling, the Sistas in Business statewide program for Indigenous women entrepreneurs, Health + Wellbeing Training Modules, a curated Grants + Tenders resource hub, and member discount programs (Sofitel, Crown). Its event portfolio includes the annual Deadly in Melbourne expo (50+ member stalls targeted), the Victorian Aboriginal Business Awards, Indigenous Business Month programming, and participation in the World Indigenous Business Forum. Content distribution occurs through Kinaway TV (video), social channels, and case studies. Underlying technology is a web-based directory and membership management system with no disclosed AI/ML components.

Kinaway's revenue model is a mix of three annual subscription streams: membership fees from majority Indigenous-owned businesses, Corporate Partnership fees from companies pursuing reconciliation and Indigenous procurement engagement (e.g., ANZ, Alstom, CommBank, Multiplex, Liberty), and Government Partnership Program fees from Victorian State departments operating under the Social Procurement Policy (notably the Department of Transport and Planning). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales through direct partnership engagement and events-driven networking, with the Victorian Government serving as the anchor buyer in the procurement ecosystem — $23.81M was spent with 120 certified Aboriginal businesses in FY2022-23. The organization employs 21 staff and is led by an Acting CEO with dedicated heads for corporate partnerships and government relationships.

Name

Kinaway-The Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://kinaway.com.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kinaway is the Victorian lead certifying body and chamber of commerce for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, certifying 120+ member firms and connecting them to government and corporate procurement under the Victorian Social Procurement Policy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

South Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Kinaway offers membership to majority Indigenous-owned businesses in Victoria, providing access to a support network, financial services and products, networking and procurement opportunities, and mentoring and coaching.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate organizations become Kinaway Corporate Partners to directly engage with and contribute to the development of the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander economy, representing a meaningful step toward reconciliation.
3. Government Partnership Program: Kinaway works with Victorian State Government departments through its Government Partnership Program to support departments meet their commitments to Aboriginal procurement under the Social Procurement Policy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kinaway is the lead certifying body in Victoria for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, providing official certification that confirms at least 51% Indigenous ownership. It sells annual membership subscriptions to Indigenous-owned businesses and Corporate Partnership subscriptions to enterprises, while running bespoke Government Partnership agreements with Victorian State departments to facilitate Aboriginal procurement under the Social Procurement Framework. Supporting programs include the Kinaway Employment Program (KEP) for workforce development and the Sistas in Business Program for First Nations women entrepreneurs.

Product overview

Kinaway Chamber of Commerce operates as a unified service platform providing business certification, membership, employment, and training services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in Victoria. The core offerings include the Kinaway Business Directory for procurement connections, the Kinaway Employment Program (KEP) for workforce development, the Sistas in Business Program for women-led enterprise support, and Health + Wellbeing Training Modules. Additional services include Grants + Tenders Resources, Corporate and Government Partnership Programs, and member discount programs. Events include the annual Deadly in Melbourne Expo, Victorian Aboriginal Business Awards, Indigenous Business Month activities, and participation in the World Indigenous Business Forum. The organization also provides educational content through Kinaway TV and case study resources. These services collectively support the growth, certification, and economic participation of Indigenous businesses across Victoria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kinaway Business Directory An online resource listing Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, managed by Kinaway, that connects government and corporate buyers with certified Aboriginal businesses for procurement opportunities.
• Membership Services (with Aboriginal Business Certification) Annual membership subscription for majority Indigenous-owned businesses in Victoria, providing official Kinaway certification that the business is at least 51% owned and operated by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, plus access to Kinaway's support network, financial services and products, networking and procurement opportunities, mentoring, and coaching.
• Corporate Partnership Program Annual partnership subscription enabling corporate organisations to engage with and contribute to the development of the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander economy, supporting reconciliation through direct engagement with certified Aboriginal businesses and the Kinaway ecosystem.
• Government Partnership Program Bespoke partnership agreements with Victorian State Government departments that build and map social procurement opportunities, facilitate certified Aboriginal business participation, and support departmental fulfilment of Reconciliation Action Plan obligations under the Victorian Social Procurement Framework.
• Kinaway Employment Program (KEP) A community-informed initiative supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Victoria to upskill, access funded educational pathways, and move into sustainable employment by removing barriers, building skills, and connecting participants to meaningful employment opportunities.
• Sistas in Business Program A statewide, culturally grounded business development program supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women at all stages of business, offering connection, practical capability building, mentoring, and access to procurement opportunities, delivered in collaboration with Karabena Consulting and Professor Kerry Arabena.

Quantifiable outcome

• $23.81 million in government procurement with 120 certified Victorian Aboriginal businesses in 2022-23

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ANZcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting First Nations businesses through Indigenous Strategy. Under leadership of Simone Kenmore, Head of First Nations Business Banking, ANZ provides dedicated First Nations Small Business Banking team providing culturally informed support. Partnership reflects shared commitment to creating greater opportunities for First Nations businesses.
• AlstomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of Deadly in Melbourne 2026. Has been providing sustainable infrastructure solutions in Australia for more than 100 years, employing approximately 2,500 people across 25+ sites. Launched Reconciliation Action Plan in November 2024.
• Aboriginal MelbourneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of Deadly in Melbourne 2026.
• IBA (Indigenous Business Australia)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Deadly in Melbourne 2026.
• Yarra Valley WaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Deadly in Melbourne 2026.
• CommBankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of Indigenous Business Education and Networking events, providing procurement expertise for tendering and support.
• Karabena ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivering Sistas in Business program in collaboration with Professor Kerry Arabena. Combines cultural strength with practical business capability for real pathways for growth, leadership and economic participation.
• Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Kinaway for Quality First Peoples Tourism Business Program, supported by Victorian Government. Sessions align with First Peoples Tourism Plan for Victoria 2025-2030.
• LibertyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Sistas in Business program and 2026 International Women's Day Lunch.
• MultiplexminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Sistas in Business program.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• First Australians Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI): National Indigenous-led chamber supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across Australia. Comparable membership, advocacy, and procurement-connection model to Kinaway, with overlapping corporate and government partner networks.
• Indigenous Business Australia (IBA): Federal government agency providing finance and capability support to Indigenous Australians in business. A Kinaway partner/sponsor but also a peer on the Indigenous enterprise development mandate — directly comparable audience and outcome metrics.
• Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB): Canada's leading Indigenous business organization providing certification, networking, and procurement matching. Most internationally comparable to Kinaway in purpose, member services, and corporate/government engagement model.
• Supply Nation: Australia's national Indigenous business certification and directory body. Most direct competitor to Kinaway's certification role; operates at the national level (including Victoria), making it the closest peer on the core certifying-body business model.

Others

• Diversity Council Australia: National body advancing workplace diversity and inclusion, including Indigenous inclusion. Adjacent member-services, advocacy, and corporate partner model to Kinaway, addressing overlapping reconciliation buyers in ASX-listed corporates.
• National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE): Australian Indigenous-led organization supporting cultural, educational, and economic outcomes. Adjacent to Kinaway in mission and audience, with overlapping capability-building and training services for Indigenous Australians.

Regional players

• NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce: State-level Indigenous business chamber for NSW. Same chamber-of-commerce model, member-based revenue, and reconciliation/procurement purpose as Kinaway, but operating in a different Australian state.
• QLD Indigenous Chamber of Commerce: State-level Indigenous business chamber serving Queensland. Same chamber-of-commerce business model, member types, and reconciliation/Indigenous procurement purpose as Kinaway, but operating in a different state.
• Māori Business Network (MBIE-affiliated entities): New Zealand ecosystem of Māori economic development and procurement support. Comparable Indigenous business advocacy and government-procurement mandate to Kinaway, but anchored in Aotearoa rather than Australia.

Emerging players

• Social Traders: Australian social enterprise certification and procurement body. Comparable directory plus corporate/government matchmaking model, with overlapping corporate partner ecosystem though serving a broader social-enterprise audience rather than Indigenous-only.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kinaway-the-victorian-aboriginal-chamber-of-commerce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kinaway-The Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce