Business bulletin: 06 August 2026

October Business Month (OBM) is back in 2026 with some of Australia’s most accomplished entrepreneurs headlining this year’s program.
OBM is the Northern Territory’s premier annual business event providing access to a month-long program of inspirational and education events designed to inspire and grow Territory businesses.
Under the theme ‘Embracing Change’, the OBM 2026 program will explore how local businesses can adapt to rapidly changing technologies, shifting market demands and evolving workplace dynamics.
Early bird tickets are now on sale for this year’s keynote program, which will feature four flagship events across Alice Springs, Darwin and Katherine, including:

• Friday 2 October – Alice Springs: Founder and CEO of New Era Energy Aerospace Ms Renee Wootton Tomlin
• Friday 9 October – Darwin Women in Business Lunch: Founder and Managing Director of Share the Dignity Ms Rochelle Courtenay
• Friday 16 October – Katherine: Stand-up comedian Mr Brett Blake
• Friday 30 October – Darwin: Co-Founder of The Iconic and Hatch Mr Adam Jacobs.

Each keynote event will include a panel discussion with local Territory Success Stories to highlight the achievements of Territory businesses.
OBM partner events will continue to be held on the calendar along with a new Business Support Series of events aimed at focusing on the needs of business communities across the regions.

Tickets for the keynote speaker events are now on sale.

The full OBM 2026 program will be launched in the coming weeks.

Some 190 global investors, C-suite executives, business leaders and decision-makers from 11 partner nations recently gathered in Darwin for the 2026 Northern Territory Investment Summit.

The Summit,  in its second year in 2026, has become an important program for accelerating private investment and international partnership discussions with visiting business leaders, government decision makers, investors and stakeholders.

The Summit came at a pivotal moment for the Northern Territory as it rapidly emerges as one of Australia’s strategically significant investment destinations.

Transformative projects including the Beetaloo Sub-basin, Arafura Rare Earths Nolans Project and the Northern Marine Complex are reshaping our region’s future and driving economic momentum in the Northern Territory.

The Beetaloo Sub-basin presents opportunities across exploration, development, service infrastructure and long-term LNG offtake, making it a highly prospective investment environment.

The Nolans Rare Earths project highlights the Northern Territory’s growing role as a reliable, long-term supplier to international markets and supporting the global energy transition and industries of the future.

The Northern Marine Complex is one of the Northern Territory’s most significant and strategic infrastructure investments which offers a clear, long-term vision for East Arm’s economic potential.

Throughout the Summit delegates explored investment opportunities across a range of sectors in the Territory including energy, defence, mining, agriculture, tourism, digital infrastructure, space, advanced manufacturing and maritime.

The Investment Summit provided an unparalleled opportunity for the Territory to promote opportunities across these sectors, strengthen existing partnerships and foster new investment opportunities.

Northern Territory Chief Minister, Lia Finocchiaro welcoming investors to the 2026 Investment Summit.

In a Northern Territory first, Darwin has been selected to host the inaugural Asia-Pacific Qualifier of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge in 2027.

The event positions the Northern Territory as an emerging Asia-Pacific hub for marine innovation, leveraging Darwin's unique tropical maritime environment, strategic location and close connection to some of the world's fastest-growing maritime markets.

Created and developed by the Yacht Club de Monaco, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge World Series creates a pathway for university teams from across around the world to compete and qualify for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge World Final, and the first World Series qualifying round will be held in Darwin for the Asia-Pacific region.

The World Series reflects the Yacht Club de Monaco's ambition to extend the reach of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge internationally, creating regional qualification pathways that bring the competition closer to emerging talent while accelerating collaboration and innovation in sustainable maritime mobility.

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge Asia-Pacific Qualifier – Darwin is being brought to the Northern Territory by Big Blue Ventures APAC Pty Ltd, in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and the Yacht Club de Monaco.

Big Blue Ventures spokesperson,Suzie Celotti said "Darwin's selection as host of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge Asia-Pacific Qualifier represented a significant opportunity for the Territory to become a recognised centre for marine innovation, technology testing and industry collaboration."

"Our harbour, our climate and our proximity to the world's fastest-growing maritime markets make Darwin a natural proving ground for technologies that will shape the future of marine transport and energy." Ms Celotti said.

"We want the world's best engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs competing here, learning here, testing here and ultimately building the next generation of maritime technologies here" she said.

The event will be broadcast to a global audience through digital and social media channels, showcasing Darwin Harbour, the Northern Territory's unique lifestyle and natural environment, and the region's growing role in innovation, technology development and maritime excellence.

The winning team will earn the opportunity to compete at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge World Final, organised annually by the Yacht Club de Monaco in Monaco each July.

Darwin will host the inaugural Asia-Pacific qualifier of the Monaco Energy Boat challenge in 2027.

The Territory Government is making it easier for local clubs and associations to operate in the Territory with a new package support released under the Stronger Associations Program.

Clubs and associations play a critical role in the social, cultural and economic life of the Northern Territory. It is therefore essential clubs and associations have the right support and resources available to thrive and continue delivering important services for Territorians.

The Stronger Associations Program is designed to support incorporated associations improve governance capability, support long-term organisational sustainability and strengthen compliance with the Associations Act 2003 (the Act).

Under the program clubs and associations can access a governance health check or attend a governance information session.

These programs are delivered in partnership with Territory businesses who have extensive experience in governance, compliance and organisational development services working with not-for-profit organisations.

The governance health checks are delivered by Matrix on Board who will provide an independent review of your association’s governance, and sustainability.

Matrix on Board Managing Director, Sally Clifford said, “there were developing resources that recognise the diversity of Territory associations, making governance information practical and accessible for people with different levels of experience, financial and language literacy and cultural backgrounds."

Governance health checks are delivered both face-to-face and online providing greater flexibility for associations to access support.

The governance information sessions will be delivered in-person and online by Treeti Business Consulting enabling associations in regional and remote communities to easily access support.

Managing Director, Treeti Business Consulting, Claire Maradani said, “they were proud to partner with the Northern Territory Government.

Through interactive and informative workshops Treeti will help incorporated associations strengthen their governance, build capability, and create sustainable organisations that can continue making a positive impact for years to come" Ms Maradani said.

Read information about stronger associations.

A new government program is helping Territory start-ups and businesses ignite their innovative ideas into commercial realities.

Ignite is the next evolution of the Business Innovation Program, redesigned to enable more businesses access the program with new founder training, pitch workshops and two stream of support:

Stream A provides a $2,000 voucher for advisory and mentorship services to develop an Innovation Project Plan and is open year-round.

Stream B offers up to $15,000 to develop a Minimum Viable Product, along with pitch training and enrolment in the next Accelerate Program founder stream.

Applications are faster and easier to complete, with unnecessary red tape removed so more businesses can take part – backed by strengthened advisory support and new pitch training to help founders become investor-ready.

Innovation Partner, Ignite and Start NT manager at the Darwin Innovation Hub, Dante St James said, "innovation is always a process of collaboration, partnership and connection. In the Territory, that's even more the case.

“Having access to funding for innovation from the Northern Territory Government means that great ideas surface that are unique, local and address Territory challenges", Mr St James said.

Further information and how to apply for the Ignite Business program.

Innovation Partner, Ignite and Start NT manager at the Darwin Innovation Hub, Dante St James with Liandra Gaykamangu, owner of Liandra Swims.