Early Stages of Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneurship

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Early Stages of Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneurship

Sponsored by the Government of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

Published: October 24, 2024

The Early Stages of Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneurship is a collaborative project between the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB), the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) and the Diversity Institute (DI) aimed at studying Indigenous women’s entrepreneurship in Ontario.

In partnership with DI, CCIB conducted a literature review to provide insight into the entrepreneurial landscape for Indigenous women-owned businesses in Canada and an

environmental scan of available supports for Indigenous women entrepreneurs. In-depth interviews with 16 Indigenous women entrepreneurs offer detailed insights into how they navigate the startup phase, transform ideas into businesses and overcome challenges.

Through these women’s lived experiences, the research highlights the motivations, obstacles and crucial support services that Indigenous women entrepreneurs need to succeed, including access to mentorship, financial resources and affordable training programs.