MURRA Indigenous Business Program
Deepen your business skills with a course designed for Indigenous entrepreneurs and professionals.
MURRA Indigenous Business Program Overview
MURRA is named after the word for "fish net" in the Woi Wurrung language of the Wurundjeri people of Melbourne.
It represents a gathering of Indigenous entrepreneurs and professionals who are joined by a common purpose to develop business opportunities for the benefit of their communities.
If you are an Indigenous entrepreneur or professional and would like the tools to grow your business and develop economic opportunities for your community, this is the program for you.
Who Should Attend the MURRA Indigenous Business Program?
Indigenous Professionals
- Who are small business owners, entrepreneurs or professionals, wanting to develop their business knowledge and confidence.
Indigenous Managers
- Who work in corporations, government, not-for-profit, prescribed bodies corporate, land councils and other traditional owner entities.
MURRA Indigenous Business Program Key Takeaways
Practical Business Frameworks
- Grow and consolidate your business, organisation and career
- Understand key areas that are vital to success: strategy, finance, marketing, people and talent, negotiations and leadership.
Networking and Relationships
- Experience the power of informal relationships that continue beyond the program
- Collaborate with a diverse cohort that provides joint venture and other opportunities for Indigenous Business in Australia.
Post-program Support
- Draw on our faculty and the MURRA alumni for mentoring and consulting support.
MURRA Indigenous Business Program Topics Covered
Strategy & Marketing
Finance
People and Talent
Negotiations
Leadership
MURRA Indigenous Business Program Success Story
I absolutely loved MURRA. My cohort had some amazing people from all around the country, who inspired the idea behind Indigenous Business Month, to share our business success stories and breakdown negative stereotypes.
MAYRAH SONTER
Co-founder, 33 Creative and Indigenous Business Month
MURRA Indigenous Business Program Key Facilitators
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
Michelle is a Professor of Leadership as well as the Director of the MURRA Indigenous Business Program. Her area of research focus is Indigenous leadership and entrepreneurship.
CO-FOUNDER OF MURRA
Ian is Dean of UCI Paul Merage School of Business in California. His area of focus is how organisations recruit, select and retain knowledge workers.
PROFESSOR OF MARKETING
Don is a marketing and brand expert who studies the impact that marketing activities have on company performance. He has worked with brands including Johnson & Johnson, NAB and Nestle.
PROFESSOR OF STRATEGY
Geoff worked at the highest levels of international finance before becoming an academic focusing on risk-taking by executives. He has received several research excellence awards from the University of Melbourne.
PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT, ASSOCIATE DEAN, RESEARCH
With a PhD in social psychology, Jennifer specialises in organisational behaviour, negotiation and people management, and conducts research into the ways in which power is used in the workplace.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN MARKETING
Michal is an expert on ethical consumption, shopper behaviour and strategy. She is a former Research and Engagement Manager at Target and MBA Director of Programs at La Trobe University.
VISITING PROFESSOR
Anne is the Managing Director of Lytle and Associates Pty Ltd who has served as a consultant to the United Nations as well as a principal investigator for the Hong Kong government.
PROFESSOR
Brad is a Professor at the University of Melbourne and head of the Department of Accounting. He has collaborated with key organisations, including CPA Australia, CA ANZ, key NGOS, accounting standard setters and government regulators.
Upcoming Sessions
This is a residential program in which participants stay on campus and engage in workshop activities after hours.
The program fee covers tuition, meals and accommodation.
Enrolment in MURRA is subsidised to enable participation of Indigenous entrepreneurs and managers from across Australia.
This is made possible thanks to generous sponsorship by:
Dates for the 2026 intake (Applications closed):
Module 1: Strategy & Marketing - 4-7 May;
Module 2: Finance & Creating Value Through People (HR) - 13-16 July;
Module 3: Negotiations & Leadership - 7-10 September
Dates for the 2027 intake (Applications open late 2026):
Module 1: Strategy & Marketing - 3-6 May;
Module 2: Finance & Creating Value Through People (HR) - 12-15 July;
Module 3: Negotiations & Leadership - 5-9 September
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