Ecosystem

We are proposing the co-creation and implementation of a National Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs’ Ecosystem (NIWEE) to positively shape the journey of indigenous women entrepreneurs.

At the Core of NIWEE is new Indigenous Entrepreneur start-up program to be delivered online. This course is co-created by the ICN, the University of Ottawa, Indigenous partners and Canadian corporations. This experiential online Indigenous Entrepreneurial course reflects Indigenous world views, ways of knowing and being and provides step-by-step guidance for what it takes for prospective entrepreneurs to bring their business idea to launch.

Post-course, learners will have the opportunity to prepare their market-ready pitch deck. We will introduce our prospective entrepreneurs to a supportive group of potential investors, business partners, government and financial agencies and provide them with the opportunity to pitch their business. We will assist our new entrepreneurs in launching their business, providing access to comprehensive support for up to a 36-month period including coaching and mentorship.

The objective of establishing an ecosystem (Figure 1) in addition to the training course is to help Indigenous women launch their business, to accelerate growth and success and decrease the likelihood of failure. This will provide a pathway to financial sustainability for the women and girls.

The program is based on extensive consultations, including a pilot. Throughout the design and implementation, consultations will continue with program participants, Indigenous entrepreneurs and community leaders (e.g. economic development officers, education managers, Knowledge Keepers). In addition, coaches, mentors and educational support experts will provide feedback on a regular basis, allowing for adjustments in the program delivery and ecosystem creation as needed. Curriculum development experts from the University will remain available throughout the program to effectively act on participant suggestions and needs.

We have obtained funding for the “Indigenous Entrepreneurship” course co-creation, we are now in the early stage of its development. We are now in talks with corporations for the funding needed for the full deployment of the program. We anticipate deploying the course as a pilot in January 2022.

Our Collaborators

Gisèle Richard, UI/UX Design Specialist

NIWEE’s History (Chronology)

ICN Observes a gap where despite their talent and strength many Indigenous
women are powerless when it comes to launching their small business.

Rapid experimentation produced over a 3-month period to test programming ideas.

Pivoted to a national consultation

i. Inventory of Start-up Support Programs in Canada;

ii. Scanning of 25 plus study reports;

iii. One-on-one Consultations – a collection of anecdotal evidence;

iv. Use of Foresight methods – 2 national panels

v. Public Survey to validate scenarios as part of the Foresight process.

vi. Production of a Framework report for creating a NIWEE – published May 2018

Collaboration with Ottawa U instituted

Implementation

i. Funding for the co-creation of Indigenous Entrepreneur course in place

ii. Pitching Canadian corporations for NIWEE’s full deployment

iii. Set-up Indigenous Advisory Committees focus on Embedding both Indigenous and Western world views in course co-design.

Jun 1st – First consultation with an Indigenous panel on the creation of an Indigenous
Entrepreneurs’ course.