EntrepreNorth’s flagship Cohort-Based Entrepreneur Growth Program offers 8-10 Indigenous and community-based entrepreneurs in Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills and support to help take their businesses to the next level and create a positive community impact at the same time.
Our Program Offers
Indigenous-Centered Business Education
We offer practical business education that is rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being. EntrepeNorth uses The Multi-Directional Business Compass created by Benjamin Scott, our Project Director which offers a multi-dimensional perspective on value creation, business development and systems thinking. Our programming covers topics such as business leadership, marketing, operations, finance, and community impact. We take program participants on deep dives in areas that are relevant to their business and growth journey. Program delivery occurs both in-person at cohort gatherings and online through distant applied sprints.
We offer practical business education that is rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being. EntrepeNorth uses The Multi-Directional Business Compass created by Benjamin Scott, our Project Director which offers a multi-dimensional perspective on value creation, business development and systems thinking. Our programming covers topics such as business leadership, marketing, operations, finance, and community impact. We take program participants on deep dives in areas that are relevant to their business and growth journey. Program delivery occurs both in-person at cohort gatherings and online through distant applied sprints.
Professional Coaching and Business Mentorship
Entrepreneurs are invited to work one-on-one with professional coaches to gain clarity on their business goals and hone in on their strengths. In addition, each participant is offered one-on-one business mentorship with a variety of industry experts and professionals to help guide their marketing, operations, and finance strategies.
Entrepreneurs are invited to work one-on-one with professional coaches to gain clarity on their business goals and hone in on their strengths. In addition, each participant is offered one-on-one business mentorship with a variety of industry experts and professionals to help guide their marketing, operations, and finance strategies.
Personalized Wellness Plan
We believe that holistic well-being is an integral part of entrepreneurial success. Program participants have access to culturally-grounded supports and are invited to design a personal self-care plan that suits their goals and needs.
We believe that holistic well-being is an integral part of entrepreneurial success. Program participants have access to culturally-grounded supports and are invited to design a personal self-care plan that suits their goals and needs.
Peer Support and Alumni Network
Our program fosters deep connections between cohort members. They all become a part of our EntrepreNorth family, and they support each other’s growth and success in the program. Our active Alumni Network is made up of past cohort members who we continue to support and engage as guest speakers, instructors and mentors.
Our program fosters deep connections between cohort members. They all become a part of our EntrepreNorth family, and they support each other’s growth and success in the program. Our active Alumni Network is made up of past cohort members who we continue to support and engage as guest speakers, instructors and mentors.
Networking Events and Opportunities
We host dynamic Networking Events that showcase guest speakers and give entrepreneurs a platform to share their story. These events also provide an excellent opportunity for local networking with funders, investors, and the broader business community. EntrepreNorth continues to build a growing network of pan-Northern, North/South, and International supporters.
We host dynamic Networking Events that showcase guest speakers and give entrepreneurs a platform to share their story. These events also provide an excellent opportunity for local networking with funders, investors, and the broader business community. EntrepreNorth continues to build a growing network of pan-Northern, North/South, and International supporters.
Northern Travel and Culture
This program is a once in a lifetime opportunity for entrepreneurs to travel across the North, connect with like-minded innovators, and immerse themselves in local culture. We dedicate time and space to celebrating cultures and facilitating knowledge exchanges.
This program is a once in a lifetime opportunity for entrepreneurs to travel across the North, connect with like-minded innovators, and immerse themselves in local culture. We dedicate time and space to celebrating cultures and facilitating knowledge exchanges.
Pitch Events
To honour everyone’s journey and progress, we organize pitch events for program participants to share their new business knowledge and impact story. These provide an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to potential funders and investors.
To honour everyone’s journey and progress, we organize pitch events for program participants to share their new business knowledge and impact story. These provide an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to potential funders and investors.
Perks and Benefits
All program participation costs are covered including travel, accommodations, and per diems. Other program benefits include a bursary of up to $5000 to support participation costs to attend in-person gatherings. Participants can also access pro-bono legal, finance and marketing support, plus access to discounted rates for community partner service offerings, such as a free six-month Shopify subscription.
All program participation costs are covered including travel, accommodations, and per diems. Other program benefits include a bursary of up to $5000 to support participation costs to attend in-person gatherings. Participants can also access pro-bono legal, finance and marketing support, plus access to discounted rates for community partner service offerings, such as a free six-month Shopify subscription.
Cohort Themes
A new cohort theme is selected each year. The cohort theme approach ensures that we provide highly relevant and industry specific content to all program participants.
Delivery Structure
The in-person program gatherings rotate across the three territories and are complemented by distant online supports after each gathering.
Eligibility
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The Entrepreneur
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The Venture Product/Service
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Screening Priorities
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Delivery Schedule
This is a 7-month program that typically runs from early October to the end of March. Below is an example of the program delivery schedule we have followed in the past.
Please visit the cohort theme for more specific program delivery dates.
- Yellowknife Gathering: 6 days in October + distant applied sprints
- Whitehorse Gathering: 6 days in November/December + distant applied sprints
- Iqaluit Gathering: 6 days in February/March + distant applied sprints
Please visit the cohort theme for more specific program delivery dates.
Application Process
- Call for Applications Deadline: July 12, 2024
- Screening Process: July 15-August 2, 2024
- Announcement: August 7, 2024
