PrairiesCan support under the Black Entrepreneurship Program will provide services and training to help Saskatchewan entrepreneurs start and grow businesses
Building a strong Canadian economy means ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Black entrepreneurs on the Prairies and across Canada face systemic barriers to financing, mentorship, and networking, which can limit opportunities to start and grow businesses.
Today, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), on behalf of the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced over $2.3 million in funding for two Saskatchewan-based organizations. This strategic investment will deliver training, mentorship and business development services to help Black entrepreneurs start businesses, scale up and succeed.
The Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc. (BPES) will expand access to entrepreneurship training, procurement opportunities and advanced digital skills for Black entrepreneurs across Saskatchewan, helping them start and grow successful businesses. BPES's new Procurement Readiness Program will help Black entrepreneurs enter supply chains, improve financial planning and compliance, and develop their businesses for long-term success. A new AI and Digital Innovation Program will increase technology readiness, improve competitiveness, and enable adoption of AI and other digital skills. These programs, and the services provided through the BPES Community Hub in Saskatoon, will increase access to services for Black founders in cities and bring new services to rural and remote areas. This work will be supported by a federal investment of nearly $1.4 million.
The Coalition of Black Small & Medium Enterprises (CoBSMEs) will provide Black entrepreneurs with targeted training, mentorship and networking opportunities to help them build strong foundations and scale their businesses up through technology. Through business planning and financial literacy workshops, technology-focused training, a pitch competition and its annual Black Business Networking Event, CoBSMEs will help increase visibility for Black-owned businesses and open doors to new markets and partnerships. These activities are supported by a federal investment of more than $925,000.
Investing in Black-led organizations that support entrepreneurs strengthens local economies, expands opportunities for Black owned businesses, and builds a more inclusive, resilient and strong Canadian economy.
