SASKATOON — The SOAR Indigenous Entrepreneurship Competition is expanding across Saskatchewan, giving Indigenous entrepreneurs provincewide access to mentorship, business development and a larger prize fund.
The expansion will provide more opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs to build successful businesses through the continued partnership between the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority's Saskatchewan Startup Institute and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.
Transforming the program from a regional initiative into a provincewide program opens the door for Indigenous entrepreneurs from communities across Saskatchewan to access mentorship, business development workshops, networking opportunities, and a larger $50,000 prize fund to help grow their businesses. The program has awarded $120,000 since 2022.
SOAR has helped Indigenous business owners strengthen their operations, build confidence, expand professional networks, access virtual learning opportunities and in-person cohort gatherings, and connect with mentors, investors, and industry leaders. A provincial pitch competition aims to remove geographic barriers for entrepreneurs living outside Saskatchewan's major centres.
Stephane O'Reilly, entrepreneurship director with SREDA's SK Startup Institute, said expanding the program was driven by their desire to ensure Indigenous entrepreneurs throughout the province have the same opportunities regardless of where they live, as they recognize that there are many great Indigenous entrepreneurs across Saskatchewan.
"Although a lot is happening in Saskatoon, there were so many entrepreneurs who weren't getting the chance to be part of this community, the growth potential that comes out of a program like this and the funding as well," said O’Reilly, who added that many business support initiatives have traditionally focused on larger urban centres, creating barriers for entrepreneurs in rural and northern communities.
He said they wanted to make this inclusive because many programs can be overly focused on major centres. His experience working with entrepreneurs over the past seven years has convinced him that innovative Indigenous businesses are emerging across the province, and that this is an exciting opportunity to extend his partnership with SIIT, which shares their vision and passion.
The expanded program will begin accepting applications on July 20. Eligible businesses must be majority Indigenous-owned, have operated for at least two years and employ between one and 20 people. Fifteen businesses will be selected to participate in workshops before advancing through semifinal and final pitch competitions.
SIIT Innovation Director Tia Larocque-Graham said that as the institute marks the 50th anniversary of its founding, supporting entrepreneurship complements the institution's longstanding focus on education, skills training, and employment, and that their goal is to build stronger partnerships and relationships with SREDA’s SK Startup Institute.
"Indigenous entrepreneurs are creating opportunities not only for themselves, but for their families, their communities and future generations," said Larocque-Graham, who added that the enhanced prize pool demonstrates SIIT's confidence in Indigenous business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators throughout Saskatchewan.
SIIT Chief Economic Reconciliation Officer Milton Tootoosis said the announcement represents an investment in Indigenous economic futures while recognizing a history of Indigenous trade and commerce that long predates modern Canada, adding that current Indigenous entrepreneurs are creating businesses in industries ranging from technology to agriculture, showing diversity.
"Our ancestors created trade networks, exchanged knowledge and resources and built relationships that connected Nations across this continent. Trust was our contract, integrity was our reputation, and reciprocity was our business model. Indigenous knowledge and modern innovation are not competing ideas. They are a competitive advantage,” said Tootoosis.
