The two-week Masterclass program in Luang Prabang, Laos in June 2026 facilitated by a wonderful team of Graham Poon, Jo’Anne Langham on GEDSI, Nina Grange and Phonemany Phommachack (Nok) from the University of Queensland, saw leaders in business, government and ecosystem support come together from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
Learning objectives covered the following areas:
- Identify financing barriers and develop inclusive strategies to improve SME access to funds, prioritising women and marginalised groups.
- Enhance practical financial management skills for diverse SMEs, including those led by women and persons with disabilities.
- Design climate-resilient and sustainable SME business models that promote gender equality, disability inclusion, and social equity.
- Address market barriers to boost equitable SME integration into value chains, ensuring participation of marginalised entrepreneurs.
- Navigate regulatory challenges and advocate for inclusive policies that support SME formalisation and growth for all groups.
Leaders presented on their work and projects, learning from each other and with several guest speakers from Australian networks including:
- Mark Koolmatrie on First Nations entrepreneurship
- The Circle First Nations Entrepreneurial Hub on their programs and support
- WEConnect International – Wendy Perry is a Global Ambassador
- Robin Sands from Link4 sharing his business story
- Ronan Analytics
- Dan Macias, on the approach taken by Business NSW
- Commissioner Cameron Baker, Chair of the South Australian Skills Commission on the role of workforce skills and vocational training in SME success
- Cassie Day, on her business story and working with people with disabilities
- Joann Schmider, First Nations Leader
The Innovation Tour designed in collaboration with Emi Weir took us from the Kuang Si Waterfall to local enterprises enabled everyone to see outstanding businesses in action, and this was followed by an evening networking event, stops included:
- Laos Buffalo Dairy, Susie Martin
- PatiHoub
- Luang Prabang Bio Bamboo
- Xaoban
- Ma Te Sai (Emi’s social enterprise)
Speakers sharing content and insight built upon the tour and linked to many key messages:
- Dr Kathryn Anderson on innovation ecosystems
- David Lee, from UNDP Myanmar, on policy and advocacy
- Anna Samios on scaling up and her business story
- Scott Perry with pitching and public speaking tips
- Sokunliny Kong from CAPRED on GEDSI in SME Models and Ecosystems
- Tallis Martin-Baker on building climate-resilient SME strategies and policy
- Navtej Bal from Ironwood Institute on building the green workforce
- Jim Ophakorn Kouphokham, Director at XM Technovator, sharing on the Laos ecosystem
- James Packham on what investors are looking for from SMEs, startups and scaleups
- Dana Bell from MTPConnect SA on rapid growth strategies for SMEs
- Rob Rutter from Many Rivers on programs and support for First Nations Owned Businesses
A 1-day Growth Hack was facilitated by Wendy Perry where teams of three achieved amazing results including 100 sales, meetings with Unilever, investors, new brand design, packaging, validation with 100+ response to a survey, new events, partnerships, business plans, action plans, pitch decks and traction.
There are many connections to make between Australia, countries and leaders in the Mekong region, which is what the next stage of the program will focus on via Get Stuff Done mentoring sessions, email introductions and online meetings to implement Work Based Projects.
If you could like an intro to people involved in this program, please reach out to me via wendy@workforceblueprint.com.au, thank you, Khob chai lai lai.
- Check out photos here and from the Innovation Tour.