NACCA celebrates small businesses each and every day. When it comes to Canada’s Small Business Week, it’s more than an event on our calendars. It marks another opportunity to share big ideas, new beginnings, and growth for Indigenous communities from coast to coast to coast. This year for, we want to shine a spotlight on our future: our youth. Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship is on the rise and with some bold moves from our National Indigenous Youth Business Advisory Council, engaged youth who have participated in our research, and the diligence of our programs team, our National program has launched! Now offered by many of the 50 Indigenous Financial Institutions we work with, here’s how it all began.  

The Stats: Momentum and Opportunity 

Why does it matter? According to the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, Indigenous youth are launching businesses at five times the rate of their non-Indigenous peers, fueling a wave of vivid economic resurgence. With over half the Indigenous population under 25, youth entrepreneurship is poised to drive future innovation and prosperity for communities nationwide.  

How much of a difference can it make? Today, more than 50,000 Indigenous businesses contribute nearly $50 billion to the Canadian economy annually. The numbers tell us there’s room to grow. According to BDC, 1.1% of Canadians who are fifteen or older are Indigenous entrepreneurs. Women and youth are leading the charge. Indigenous women are twice as likely to own a business as non-Indigenous women, and youth entrepreneurs are adopting technology at double the average rate.  

Research: Listening and Learning 

At NACCA, our programs are based on research and listening. We led a national inquiry, speaking with over 100 young Indigenous entrepreneurs across every province and territory. The findings were clear: young entrepreneurs want mentorship, access to culturally rooted business training, and support to navigate early-stage hurdles. They also want to be able to learn online and access digital tools. Their voices have shaped everything from new programs to strategic partnerships.  

Leadership: Youth Advisory Council 

The National Indigenous Youth Business Advisory Council was formed to turn research insights into action. These council members are successful business owners and changemakers championing youth perspectives, bringing lived experience and flipping the script on the way traditional financial programs are run. Their advocacy has shaped NACCA’s youth programming and continues to keep youth voices front and center in the development and ongoing improvement of the Youth Entrepreneurship Program.  

Launching Forward: The Youth Entrepreneurship Program 

We are proud to share that NACCA’s Youth Entrepreneurship Program is now up and running with over 30 Indigenous Financial Institutions nationwide. Whether it’s business planning, financing, or peer support, this program offers the resources young Indigenous entrepreneurs need to launch, manage, or grow up their ideas. Early results show youth-led startups supported by such programs have a 60% higher success rate, with 76% surviving their first two years which outperforms the national average. We like those odds.  

The Spirit of Small Business Week 

This Small Business Week, let’s celebrate the next generation of Indigenous leaders. With new programs, remarkable stats, and the energy and creativity of Indigenous youth, there’s never been a better time to take the leap into business. The future is bright. Through our network of Indigenous Financial Institutions, NACCA is here to help every step of the way. 

Ready to turn your ideas into action? Explore NACCA’s interactive map, connect with an IFI near you, and join a vibrant community of trailblazers