Shot in the arm for growth aspirations of Northern Territory SMEs

early stages, grow, start-up

A collaboration between the Australian Centre for Business Growth (AUCBG), the Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory (CCNT) and the Darwin Innovation Hub (DIH) will offer a series of programs – Assessment Clinics, Growth Ramp, Business Growth Modules and Execute and Grow to SMEs looking to scale up in the NT

The programs, components of the NT government’s Business Acceleration Program, are sponsored by the Chamber and Innovation Hub and were created and are run by the AUCBG. The Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) has joined the group to assess which Indigenous-owned businesses are at a suitable stage to participate in the programs.

“The Northern Territory has experienced minimal disruption from COVID and has become an attractive tourist destination for Australians who cannot travel abroad,” ANZ Chair in Business Growth and Director of the Australian Centre for Business Growth, Dr Jana Matthews, said.

“This, plus mining, oil and gas exploration, agriculture, construction, and a build-up in defence spending are having positive impacts on the Territory’s economy.

“Given the growth opportunities in these sectors, it is critically important that business owners of small and medium enterprises understand how to grow their companies and capitalise on these opportunities,” Dr Matthews added. “Our Assessment Clinic and Growth Ramp programs provide a solid foundation for business owners of companies with five to 11 employees. Our Assessment Clinics plus Growth Modules equip business owners, MDs, and CEOs of companies with 12-200 employees with the knowledge and skills required to accelerate growth and scale their companies.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with the Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory, the Darwin Innovation Hub, and the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network to identify companies that will benefit from our growth programs so that more NT companies can grow and create more jobs.”

CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory, Greg Ireland, highlighted the value of the AUCBG’s business growth programs to local businesses.

“If we want to continue to grow the economy of the Northern Territory, we need to provide the owners and managing directors of NT companies with the knowledge and skills they need to grow their companies,” Ireland said.

“We encourage small and medium companies who want to grow to sign up for an Assessment Clinic as soon as possible, because places are limited.”