A new online business school will specifically help Indigenous entreprenuers.
VANCOUVER, B.C.-A new online business school is being launched for First Nations people in Canada with the first course being Indigenous Entrepreneurship 101 for those interested in starting a business.
Activ8, the developers of the online business school, point out that the untapped potential of Indigenous communities combined with government resources in education and funding through economic reconciliation has created a rise in Indigenous entrepreneurship. Indigenous people are starting businesses nine times faster than non-Indigenous Canadians, and their population is growing three times quicker.
Forty-six percent of Indigenous people are under the age of 35 years old. This significant talent pool from urban and rural communities can become entrepreneurs, tradespeople and working professionals helping to replace the workforce shortage left by retiring baby boomers.
The Indigenous economy in Canada was estimated at $32 billion in 2016 and is expected to balloon to $100 billion within the next five years. Much of the growth is in big projects, however, developing areas means greater opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs to meet the demand for goods and services in these regions. Procurement mandates of Indigenous communities, corporate Canada and government give priority to hiring member-owned businesses from a nation's community whose land is in development.
"We have partnered with Activ8 to provide entrepreneurial training at The Squamish Nation so that our members learn about self-employment and are better prepared to access procurement opportunities happening on our lands", said Brian Titus, Chief Operating Officer at Nch'Kay Economic Development Corp. He continued, "Cultivating member-owned businesses contributes to local prosperity and job creation benefiting not only the individual and their family but the entire community."
Evolving technologies and an increase in highspeed connectivity for rural First Nations also give Indigenous entrepreneurs in remote regions access to the digital economy. Indigenous learners will receive training in eCommerce, sales, marketing and digital communications skills.
Activ8 has provided marketing services to companies in various industries since 2000. In 2012, the training arm was developed to deliver a 15-course Indigenous business program.
