The Indigenous Digital Accelerator (IDA) offers a collection of professional development workshops in tech and digital creative sectors.
Empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs
The IDA scales up early-stage Indigenous companies with high growth, commercialization, and innovation potential within a framework emphasizing community development and low environmental impact.
The IDA also assists in addressing Indigenous participation gaps. The IDA program can last up to one year for participants.
What we offer
To be successful, entrepreneurs need more than a business plan, financial support and a website.
Our experienced mentors will work with you to identify the next steps for your business, and provide guidance and support to move forward.
During the program, you will receive:
- Up to $60,000 in support services to develop the digital capacity of your business;
- Mentorship — business plan development, financial management, fundraising support;
- Website advice and support; and
- Student research assistants.
IDA Workshops
Check out our series of helpful workshops designed to help you grow your business.
Eligibility requirements
- Resident of B.C.
- Majority Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) owned and operated
- Established Business of 1 year
- For-profit business only
Pre-application documents
Read over these important documents before submitting your Indigenous Digital Accelerator application.
- Indigenous Digital Accelerator Ancestry Document (pdf)
- Indigenous Digital Accelerator Guidelines & Preamble (pdf)
Ready? Download the application!
Once you've completed your declaration and read through the guidelines, fill out and send in your application!
Businesses we support
Designed to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and companies owned by Indigenous people, the IDA aims to address significant gaps in the participation of Indigenous peoples in the high tech, digital-creative and cultural sectors.
For-Profit Businesses that include companies involved in digital and creative technology, media production and distribution, language revitalization, virtual and augmented reality, as well as more traditional businesses that need assistance with digitization and online platform development. Businesses will have existing customers and sales, community support and be poised for growth.
Advisory committee
Dorothy Cucw-la7 Christian, PhD is of the Secwepemc and Syilx Nations from the interior plateau regions of B.C. Her home community of Splatsin, is one of 17 communities that comprise the Secwepemc Nation.
Christian is the eldest of 10, has one daughter and over 70 nieces, nephews, great nieces, and nephews and at least two great, great nieces. She is called to her home community and to her Nation to be a part of Nation or community engagements.
Dorothy is currently in the Department of Graduate Studies at SFU as the Associate Director of Indigenous Policy & Pedagogy at Simon Fraser University. Her academic research consistently centralized Indigenous knowledge long before those terms became the latest buzzwords in the academy, including Indigenous and Settler relations.
One of the responsibilities she upholds is sitting on the SFU Advisory for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as Special Advisor Auntie/Elder to the Vice-President, People, Equity, and Inclusion (VPPEI) and President’s offices.
Dorothy continues to be involved in the Indigenous cultural industries. She is a Board member of the National Indigenous Screen Office organization and on the Advisory for the Indigenous Digital Accelerator Program at Capilano University. She also works with the Women in the Director’s Chair organization on their equity, diversity and inclusion training.
Cynthia is a member of the Tzeachten Band and Stó:lō Nation in Chilliwack, B.C. She is an Ecosystem Catalyst in Indigenous Populations and the founder of Sp'oq'es Entrepreneurs.
Through her business and work as a facilitator, mentor, and business coach, she empowers Indigenous entrepreneurs to realize their potential to create sustainable economic and social value in the world.
An entrepreneur since 1987, Cynthia holds an MBA in Indigenous Business Leadership from Simon Fraser University and takes great pride in providing service leadership and inspiring new entrepreneurs to move forward and out of their comfort zones.
Debra previously held the position of Senior Manager of the Indigenous Business Programs at SFU. She has vast experience in business and has owned several retail businesses as well as a consulting practice.
Her background in leadership stems from her extensive work with First Nation governments and organizations such as the World Council of Indigenous Peoples. She is fiercely committed to maximizing opportunity, building capacity and economic self-sufficiency for First Nation communities.
Debra is a graduate of the EMBA IBL program. She also holds a certificate in Applied Project Management. Debra is from the Cree Nation in Alberta.
We had the privilege of having Slá’hólt, Hereditary Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Capilano University in-residence Elder Ernest (Ernie) George advise the IDA program in its early development. We remember him and the contributions that he made to all Indigenous people.
IDA clients
Check out IDA's previous clients:
- June Anthony-Reeves — Up the Hill at Loakin
- Alissa Assu — Bear Essential Oils
- Micheal Auger and Petie Chalifoux-Tohkapi Cinema Ltd. — Disappearing Moon
- Chastity Davis-Alphonse — Deyen: An Invitiation to Transform
- Tania Koenig-Gauchier and Shirley Mclean — Wapanatahk
- Jennifer Podemski — The Shine Network
- Jaymie Campbell — White Otter Design Co.
- Kaitlyn Redcrow & Cameron Watts — Raven House Films
- Destiny Hoostie & Kelsey Coutts — Bangin' Bannock
- Leigh Joseph — Skwálwen Botanicals
- Valerie Lamirande & Alissa Assu — RavenSong Soap & Candle
Our partners
For more than 30 years, PacifiCan has been working to diversify the western economy while improving the quality of life of western Canadians.
PacifiCan aims to be a leader in building a strong, competitive West by focusing on business development, innovation and community development.
Through the TD Ready Commitment, the TD Bank Group is working together with community organizations across the country to build a more inclusive tomorrow.
Focused on improving financial and digital literacy, TD support for the IDA will help enrolled Indigenous entrepreneurs and leaders build confidence, adapt to change and drive growth for their business today and into the future.
Project Sponsors
Frequently asked questions
A business accelerator is a program that helps developing companies build strong sustainable businesses by providing mentorship, funding and other support.
Accelerators are for companies that are already established, but need mentorship and support to build momentum and get to the next level.
The Indigenous Digital Accelerator was designed for Indigenous companies in the high tech, digital-creative and cultural sectors including film, television, games and digital media; however, it's also appropriate for more traditional companies that want to add a digital component such as a website or e-commerce platform to their business model.
The Indigenous Digital Accelerator will connect Indigenous entrepreneurs to CapU students who are interested in gaining work experience during practicums, internships, co-op work terms and summer employment. Students will be available to help entrepreneurs with research and other tasks.
Capilano University is committed to Truth and Reconciliation, and helping Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities grow and thrive.
Ready to take your business to the next level?
Find out if the Indigenous Digital Accelerator is right for you. Our team will walk you through how the program works, how to apply and what you will get out of the experience.
Doreen Manuel – Director
Call: 604 986 1911 ext. 3700
Email: ida@capilanou.ca