Steve Jones AM is a Yorta Yorta Aboriginal man and is passionate about giving back to First Nations peoples. Steve is a Senior First Nations Adviser to Aspen Medical and prior to this he was the CEO Equity Health Solutions (EHS). Steve is also the CEO and founder of Daborra Pty Ltd which focusses on enabling First Nation people to reach their potential, and companies to become successful in the pursuit of business opportunities throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific Region. Steve is also Chair of i2i Development Global Pty Ltd a majority-owned and led Aboriginal Company providing Advisory Services to optimise the employment of indigenous people and enhances indigenous business capabilities to pursue targeted opportunities; assists in the design and delivery of Indigenous Engagement Plans & Strategies; the implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and identifies and delivers on social impact investments to improve the social and economic welfare of Australia’s First Peoples.

Previously Steve worked in senior positions in large commercial organisations where he brought his knowledge, leadership and business development expertise to achieve outstanding results. He is a thought leader who ensures that technical solutions are at the forefront of industry requirements with a focus on innovation. During the period 1974 to 2005 Steve had a distinguished career spanning 31 years in the Australian Defense Force (ADF), achieving the rank of Colonel. During his service he built a strong reputation as an outstanding leader and an expert in the fields of security, logistics and management.

In January 2001 he was awarded a Member of the Military Division of the Order of Australia in recognition of his outstanding performance. He is recognized as both a highly skilled project manager and a 'change agent' who has a simple philosophy that the best way to manage change is to create change. Steve earned his EMBA in 1998 from the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), University of NSW.

He also holds a BA (Military Studies) from the University of NSW; a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies, from the University of Canberra; a Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies from Deakin University; and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As a result of Roger Allen’s own entrepreneurial background starting in his 20’s and his extensive experience in the technology sector and venture capital, the focus of Indigenous Capital Limited has been to apply these entrepreneurial, technological and finance based skills to assist in addressing indigenous economic development.

Roger Allen is a highly-experienced serial entrepreneur and investor in early-stage growth companies in both in Australia and globally. He grew Computer Power Group (CPG) in the 1970s from a small start-up, to a worldwide group of 3,000 people operating from 50 offices in 12 countries. Taking it public in 1987 before it was acquired in the mid-nineties. He spent considerable time building the USA and EU businesses based in New York and London. In 1996 he co-founded Allen & Buckeridge, the first early-stage venture capital fund in Australia with offices in the Silicon Valley and Australia. Allen & Buckeridge raised over $200m and invested in some 40 early stage companies. He retired from the partnership in 2008 after helping set up two successor Venture Capital (VC) firms (who currently manage over $400m) to concentrate on his own investments and social ventures. He is an active direct investor in over 20 technology companies in Australia, US, UK and EU as well as some 12 International VC funds.

He is particularly committed to social entrepreneurship applying VC principles to social problems. In particular, he has developed an innovative cloud-based model for Indigenous economic development and has directly funded several Indigenous businesses. Serving on two Prime Ministers’ Science and Technology Councils and Advisory Boards, Mr Allen was also Deputy Chairman of the Australian Government’s international trade organisation Austrade from 1990 to 1997. Currently an adjunct professor in the Business School of the University of Technology Sydney, he has also lectured occasionally at the School of Entrepreneurship at INSEAD. Mr Allen has been awarded the top two lifetime awards in the IT industry – the CSIRO Tony Benson award and the Pearcey Medal for lifetime achievement. He received the Order of Australia Honour for his services to the IT sector through leadership roles, venture capital investment and professional development, and in recognition of his support of the Indigenous sector and philanthropic interests.

Ms Maggie Gray has extensive experience in Social Policy and Research especially at the Brotherhood of St Laurence, a major Melbourne based social policy research institution in Melbourne and at the Benevolent Society in Sydney. She was one of the founding supporters of the Redfern Community Foundation and co-founded the Virtual Sisters of Mudgingal which funds community projects such as a computer centre and a learning to drive program.

She has worked with Black Business to fund and develop Indigenous Women’s Leadership Programs. Maggie has shaped and directed our Indigenous Arts and Education Scholarship Programs. She also co-commissioned the Sydney Symphony to compose a new work with the leading Indigenous didgeridoo player William Barton.

Rochelle has over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting roles including 5 years experience in leading the finance teams in early stage technology companies. Prior to this she worked at Ellerston Capital and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Rochelle is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Rochelle has worked at ICL since 2020.

We exist to promote the self-determination, economic development and wealth creation of First Nations people and their communities, through grants and social impact investing.

Photo Credit: Tourism Australia, Wilpena Pound Resort via Welcome To Country

Many First Nations entrepreneurs apply for grants from Government or philanthropic bodies to scale and grow. Ochre Ventures exists to disrupt the inefficient grant based system through social impact investing.

Photo Credit: Tourism Australia, Wilpena Pound Resort via Welcome To Country

ICL has founded an Indigenous-focused fund where it is driving real change by helping entrepreneurs realise their vision, support their growth and achieve self-determination.

Photo Credit: Tourism Australia, Wilpena Pound Resort via Welcome To Country