Darwin Innovation Hub (DIH) recently kicked off the year’s networking season by hosting the NT Chamber of Commerce’s first Business at Sunset event for 2025. With over 100 attendees gathering at The Hub, the event marked a significant moment for the NT business community—a year of fresh challenges, new leadership, and evolving opportunities.
The NT Chamber of Commerce has undergone considerable change, with Acting General Manager Glen Hingley addressing the crowd on the shifting landscape of business in the Territory. Hingley spoke about the legislative changes that are creating new avenues for growth, as well as the strategic trade delegations to Indonesia and Singapore, opening doors to fresh international markets. With government and private enterprise both pushing forward, the atmosphere at the event was one of cautious optimism—an eagerness to navigate the road ahead despite broader economic headwinds.
From DIH’s perspective, the Territory’s business environment is increasingly being shaped by innovative startups tackling some of the region’s biggest challenges. DIH’s Director of Innovation and Investment Readiness, Dante St James, highlighted the growing cohort of startups based at The Hub that are developing solutions in:
- Engineering efficiencies to drive productivity across industries
- Labour hire innovations to combat workforce shortages
- Skills and educational capacity building extending beyond Darwin into remote NT communities
As always at Business at Sunset, conversations buzzed around new markets, emerging technologies, and collaborative opportunities. Chamber members and DIH guests exchanged insights, built connections, and explored how to push the Territory forward—both in addressing social challenges and capitalising on our strategic position as Australia’s gateway to Asia.
With strong attendance and dynamic discussions, this first major NT Chamber member gathering set the tone for an exciting and transformative year ahead in the NT business landscape.
