Indigenous Digital Accelerator at Capilano University

Founded in 2020, the Indigenous Digital Accelerator is helping Indigenous entrepreneurs scale up in the digital economy — one business at a time. After reading studies by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, Doreen Manuel, MFA, (Secwepemc/Ktunaxa) developed a business accelerator program designed to fill gaps in the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the high-tech, digital-creative and cultural sectors. A residential school survivor, Manuel is the Director of the Bosa Centre for Film and Animation and the Director of the Indigenous Digital Accelerator at Capilano University. She is the sixth child of Grand Chief George Manuel and spiritual leader Marceline Manuel — an award-winning filmmaker, educator and bead artist, and a highly regarded leader and role model. PacifiCan and TD Ready partnered with Capilano University to fund the accelerator. IDA program management is Indigenous with an MFA; the advisory board comprises Indigenous MBA graduates with a minimum of 20 years of business experience, and the support staff are majority Indigenous professionals. "To empower Indigenous entrepreneurs by assisting them in scaling up their early-stage Indigenous companies with high growth, commercialization and innovation potential within a framework emphasizing community development and low environmental impact." — IDA Mandate IDA works with for-profit businesses that have existing customers and sales, community support and demonstrated growth potential. The accelerator also delivers a collection of highly successful professional development workshops in the tech and digital creative sectors, the film industry and business. Sectors IDA Supports Digital and creative technology Media production and distribution Language revitalization Virtual and augmented reality Film and animation Business digitization Online platform development Professional development workshops In 2022, IDA was proud to sponsor the first Indigenous delegation from Canada to attend the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival. The delegation — Eva Thomas, Kelvin Redvers, Roger Boyer, Ryan Cooper, Colin Van Loon and Dan Foreman — had their total travel expenses covered and received full mentorship for the trip, provided by Screen Sirens Pictures and supported by Creative BC. A Selection of IDA Clients IDA clients include businesses in food, fashion, film, jewellery, botanicals, fundraising, media and more: Tohkapi Cinema Chastity Davis Up the Hill at Loakin The Shine Network Wapanatahk Bear Essential Oils Raven House Films White Otter Design & Co. Bangin' Bannock Skwalwan Botanicals Raven Song Soap House of Copper Films Copper Canoe Woman Naomi Bourque Jewelry The New School of Fundraising Sriracha Revolver Hot Sauce Michael Hill Designs Weaving House: Hawk Lace Super Natural Models Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week The House of Copper Salish Blanket Company Partners & Sponsors Funding partners: PacifiCan, TD Ready Project sponsors: The Indigenous Screen Office, TELUS Storyhive, ImagineNative, Google, Reel Canada, NBC Universal, Warner Brothers Discovery Access Canada, Alberta Media Production Industries Association, Creative BC, Women in Computerology