Rainforest to Bush Cultural Experiences has raised $40,000 with the Esparq Futures Fund, run by Esparq Ventures, which is building a business ecosystem for Indigenous entrepreneurs to succeed.
They have received the $40,000 as a forgivable loan, providing the flexibility and support often valued by early-stage startups as they scale. Following a year of strong market traction, Rainforest to Bush Cultural Experiences will use the funding to expand its offerings from a walking tour to also delivering unique overnight experiences.
Esparq started supporting RTBCE at the business ideation stage and has helped the founders adopt an iterative approach to refining, launching and growing the business.
Driving business momentum among World Heritage-listed rainforests
Rainforest to Bush Cultural Experiences as immediately used the funds to purchase a tour bus, transforming the way the organisation operates. With this bus, tour guides and staff can transport clients to and from locations across the island faster, while expanding their offerings of tours and tailored experiences across the Atherton Tablelands.
“As our business started growing, we needed funding but didn’t have all the paperwork the big banks usually ask for,” Rainforest to Bush Cultural Experiences co-founder Allan Anderson said. “Esparq Ventures took the time to really understand our business and see our potential. They backed us with the funding we needed to buy a tour bus, which has made a huge difference.”
Values-aligned partnerships to enable sustainable business growth
“Our tourism business gives visitors an immersive cultural experience across our traditional homelands of Yidinji and Mbabaram Countries,” Anderson added. “The funding gave us what we needed to continue to grow the business and make our dreams happen.
“Traditional financial institutions didn’t see the potential we saw, but with Esparq’s support we were able to capitalise on the early traction the business created in the market while building sustainable back-office functions like finance and HR to ensure we were set up to grow and scale long-term. Now, with additional funding through the Esparq Futures Fund, we’re ready to take that next step and show those traditional financial institutions what they missed out on.”
“Allan’s resourcefulness and creative thinking made him an exciting partner for us,” Esparq Ventures CEO and founder Darrly Majid said. “When RTBCE started, they didn’t have a vehicle to use, but this didn’t stop Allan – he started with a walking tour, and hasn’t looked back since. We’re proud to be supporting RTBCE as they continue to reach for new heights.”
The Esparq Futures Fund was set up to attract and deploy funds differently, dedicated to supporting Indigenous-led businesses well-positioned to scale and set off a chain reaction of business success throughout the Indigenous economy and network. This capital is a good will loan with unique parameters, providing early capital access to Rainforest to Bush Cultural Experiences, while allowing flexibility and empathy as the business navigates a rapid growth journey.
