Mashup Lab has worked over the past year with Cape Breton University and Unama’ki College to develop and execute an Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Program.
In June 2021, with the Cape Breton Partnership, we launched a new cohort for the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Program in Potlotek. This important program shows the value in investing in today’s youth to help create tomorrow’s leaders and entrepreneurs.
The project began when the Cape Breton Partnership led an extensive research study about the barriers to entrepreneurship for females and First Nations communities. This research showed there was a need for youth training in these communities so that they could learn about entrepreneurship at a young age and explore the option of starting their own business and it becoming a viable business.
This is the third cohort since the program began that Mashup Lab has led in the organization and facilitation. Each program consists of four weeks of training, which includes skills development, followed by an eight-week work placement of the participants’ choice.
The first two cohorts in late 2020 and early 2021 were held in person. This cohort in Potlotek’s is being executed virtually. There has been a great turnout!
The program is designed for youth between the ages of 15-30 and has plans to run two programs after this one, one in We’koqma’q and one in Wagmatcook, both located within the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere region.
Our work has proven to us that untapped entrepreneurial talent is on the sidelines in every rural community.
CLICK HERE to book a no-obligation Discovery Call with Andrew to discuss how we might be able to help ACTIVATE the untapped entrepreneurial talent sitting in your community!