Government of Canada investments to help Indigenous entrepreneurs thrive in British Columbia’s growing creative and technology sectors
News release
New Indigenous Digital Accelerator Centre will nurture the next generation of visionaries, storytellers, and digital entrepreneurs.
April 17, 2019 – North Vancouver, British Columbia – Western Economic Diversification Canada
Demand for talent in British Columbia’s growing creative and technology sectors has created opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs and storytellers to transform traditional knowledge and history into innovative digital solutions for their communities and the marketplace.
That is why the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, on behalf of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), the Honourable Navdeep Bains, today announced $1,937,500 in funding towards Capilano University’s new Indigenous Digital Accelerator Centre.
This funding will help establish a dedicated space for Indigenous entrepreneurs to start-up or scale-up their own businesses in a culturally supportive environment. Capilano University has partnered with Indigenext, an Indigenous business accelerator, to provide hands-on mentoring and technical advice to Indigenous entrepreneurs. Elders will also be available to mentor students and ensure cultural values and community engagement are built into business opportunities. This targeted approach directly supports Indigenous economic growth and will help inject over $13 million into the Canadian economy over the next three years.
Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan aims to build an economy in which Canadians have access to high-quality jobs and Canadian businesses are well-placed to participate in a rapidly evolving and competitive global marketplace.
Quotes
“Our government is laying the foundation for Canadians to become more competitive and succeed in the global economy. Today’s investment in Capilano University builds on our competitive advantages and will result in Indigenous students bridging their cultural values with opportunities in British Columbia’s growing creative and technology sectors. This boosts inclusive economic growth and creates good, middle-class jobs for Canadians.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada
“Innovation is key to a growing economy and creating good middle class jobs for Canadians. That’s why our government is investing in projects like Capilano University’s new Indigenous Digital Accelerator Centre, which will provide Indigenous students the opportunity to their own digital and creative businesses.
- The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver
“The new Indigenous Digital Accelerator represents a tremendous opportunity for our University to boost collaboration with our Indigenous partners and further support Indigenous individuals, businesses and groups to enhance skillsets that contribute to strengthening the digital and creative sectors in B.C.”
- Laureen Styles, Vice President Academic & Provost, Capilano University
Contacts
Ben Stanford
Regional Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
604-365-8050
ben.stanford@canada.ca
Lara Chibuk
Senior Communications Officer
Capilano University
604-986-1911 x 3011
mediarelations@capilanou.ca
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