Prospective Aboriginal entrepreneurs will be better prepared to benefit from economic opportunities in northern BC thanks to a unique community-based program through the University of Victoria that combines education and mentorship.

UVic’s Gustavson School of Business and the Tribal Resources Investment Corporation (TRICORP), which provides financial services to First Nations entrepreneurs, have formed the Northwest Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs™ (NW-ACE™) to support people who want to start their own business.

 “It is an honour to be invited to co-design and teach this unique community-based program,” said NW-ACE program director Dr. Brent Mainprize of UVic’s Gustavson School of Business.

Frank Parnell, chief executive officer of TRICORP, notes that the program is a response to the ‘perfect storm’ of economic opportunity forming in Northwest BC.

“At the industry level, more than $50-billion worth of economic development projects are happening in the region.  At the government level, there are new relationships forming between First Nations communities and government through reconciliation.  There are also new partnerships being created between business and First Nations communities around these development opportunities,” said Parnell.

The program includes six weeks of classroom skills-based curriculum taught by Gustavson faculty, followed by 12 weeks of entrepreneurial mentorship from experienced executives. 

Enrollment is full for the program’s first offering, which starts in Prince Rupert on May 21, but interested people can get on a waiting list for the next NW-ACE cohort in fall 2013.

All Aboriginal people are encouraged to apply for the NW-ACE™ program. To start, go the NW-ACE website and have a look at the video or download the brochure. Then, you can download an application form from the website (or call (250) 624-3535), complete a one-pager about yourself, and a TRICORP representative will contact you.