Our Partnership Model enables both ecosystem impact and financial independence.
We are here to form and grow long-term partnerships with organisations that share our vision and are ready to co-invest in the future of local manufacturing.
We are building partnerships that create shared value where manufacturers, partners, and The MEF each stand to benefit from a practical and strong collaboration.
Whether it’s a partner gaining insight and access, a manufacturer receiving targeted support, or The MEF expanding its capacity to deliver — we look for opportunities that deliver tangible outcomes for all involved.
While every partnership involves an exchange, we focus on creating value that extends well beyond the financial — for partners, manufacturers, and the broader ecosystem. The transaction is not simply one of funding, but of alignment, action, and collective progress.
Whether it’s a partner gaining insight and access, a manufacturer receiving targeted support, or The MEF expanding its capacity to deliver — we look for opportunities that deliver tangible outcomes for all involved.
While every partnership involves an exchange, we focus on creating value that extends well beyond the financial — for partners, manufacturers, and the broader ecosystem. The transaction is not simply one of funding, but of alignment, action, and collective progress.
This includes an array of amazing manufacturers from small businesses in the beverage industry and start-ups in new product development, to scale-ups in mining hardware and medium enterprises in RV manufacture.
All supporting the same values as we do at MEF:
THINK BIG
Act with ambition for the region and its future
BUILD TRUST
Operate with integrity, transparency, and follow-through
EXPERIMENT & PERSIST
Be adaptive, fearless, and committed
PAY IT FORWARD
Contribute freely, support others, and strengthen the ecosystem
MEF cohort consists
+350
business members
+2500
community members
This includes an array of amazing manufacturers from small businesses in the beverage industry and start-ups in new product development, to scale-ups in mining hardware and medium enterprises in RV manufacture.
All supporting the same values as we do at MEF:
THINK BIG
Act with ambition for the region and its future
BUILD TRUST
Operate with integrity, transparency, and follow-through
EXPERIMENT & PERSIST
Be adaptive, fearless, and committed
PAY IT FORWARD
Contribute freely, support others, and strengthen the ecosystem
Partnership Options
Find what that suits you best
Tiered Partnership Model
The MEF offers a structured, tiered model to ensure clear value exchange and appropriate levels of involvement. Each tier provides a curated set of opportunities based on the partner’s level of commitment and engagement.
Each tier also includes participation in key engagement mechanisms such as roundtables, case studies, and flagship events.
Visionary Partners
Invite-only partners who co-lead major initiatives and help shape The MEF’s strategic direction
A defining feature of our partnership model is the Pay It Forward Fund — a good-faith, voluntary contribution model that reinvests value created through MEF relationships back into the manufacturing community.
Partners are encouraged to contribute a percentage of any business won through MEF introductions or engagement.
Contributions are not mandatory, tracked, or contractually enforced — they are an expression of shared values.
Once the fund reaches $10,000, manufacturers can apply for growth support.
100% of contributions go directly to manufacturers; none are used for MEF operations.
Alternative pathways (e.g. fixed annual contributions or education sponsorships) are available for partners with regulatory restrictions.
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Our aim is to foster a community of like-minded organisations who see the bigger picture, and are prepared to act in support of it.
Have any questions about which partnership model is best for you?
Sponsoring a one-off event is a fantastic way of spreading awareness within the community. Events are run monthly, with an average in person attendance of 120, with a typical cohort consisting of 50% manufacturers, 30% supporting industry, 10% education, 5% government, and 5% students and parents.
Funding from your sponsorship is used to provide free catering to the cohort, which is always incredibly popular. You’ll get a shout-out at the start of the event, place to put your banner up, and event a speaking slot.
