our programs
Black Youth Entrepreneurship
This program aims to encourage Black youth to get involved in entrepreneurship. We provide mentorship and resources to Black youth aged 15-30 from across Canada, helping them get started.
Black Youth Program
With Black community engagement and entrepreneurial growth at the heart of ACANEA Alberta, we are proud to participate and contribute to the education of young entrepreneurs. While our global involvement is focused on encouraging and supporting Black student entrepreneurs from all of Alberta’s French schools, we recognize that Alberta has incredibly talented and innovative thinkers and leaders. As we continually strive to impact our Black community, we encourage more young student entrepreneurs to participate in the competition and hopefully grow their businesses and experiences.
We believe that the next Google, Amazon, or Tesla type idea exists within our community. As leaders in the entrepreneurial world, we are here to support this idea. This program encourages youth to get involved in entrepreneurship, improves their entrepreneurial skills, and helps them avoid mistakes. We train them, for youth, aspiring entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 30 who are interested in starting a business.
Program Highlights
- During the training, participants will have the opportunity to connect with local entrepreneurs, mentors and funding sources and access other business resources during this training.
- During the training, interns will be paired with mentors to receive hands-on training and develop their network in the Black community.
Objectifs
- Entrepreneurship
- Training
- Mentoring
- Develop the network
Program plan
- Workshops on specific themes
- Networking activities
- 20 to 22 hours per week
Duration
- 21 weeks
HOW TO APPLY?
- Fill out an application here
ACANEA NextGen WHAT IS IT?
The ACANEA NextGen Program was created for the next generation of young Black entrepreneurs participating in ACANEA nationwide. This experience will provide access to capital, capacity, and community for visionary students ages 15-30. The top 7 visionary students will work on a curated program leading up to a demo day to showcase their business acumen. Then, they will compete in a tournament-style ACANEA pitch competition, giving them a chance to win additional capital and represent their ACANEA! Additionally, they will also have access to supplier diversity opportunities to increase the visibility of their companies. We are ready to usher in a new era of dynamic Black founders.
Our mission is to develop the entrepreneurial spirit of young Black students by providing access to capital, training, mentorship, and new networks. Through our multifaceted efforts, we will help prepare students for a highly competitive job market and provide them with experiences designed to make entrepreneurship a practical way to employ themselves and help others.
Our vision is to democratize entrepreneurship for the next generation of business leaders. This will help change the game for young Black women and men founders while closing the generational wealth gap, strengthening families, and creating a more equitable society.
WHAT’S IN IT?
During the 8-week Accelerator Training, Visionary Students will:
- Be matched with a peer group across the country.
- Gain access to culture-centered entrepreneurial training through ACANEA’s 8-week Accelerator Program.
- Develop money management and business development skills.
- Receive the opportunity to apply for access to capital for grow their business.
- Benefit from the opportunity to get mentoring and feedback on your business.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
To be eligible for the program, applicants must be:
- Have a viable business or business idea
- Must be between the ages of 15 and 30
- Must identify as Black.
- Have the ability to commit to approximately 3 hours per week for 8 weeks.
- Want to grow your network and be part of a community of student entrepreneurs across the country.
WHAT YOU WILL WIN
- You will receive a $10,000 stipend as well as in-kind resources to develop your business idea
- Training in the development of entrepreneurial skills through the ACANEA Jetpack for Early Entrepreneurs program.
- You'll have access to a network of visionary students, mentors and expert feedback to strengthen and grow your business.
- You will enroll at Harvard Business School (Harvard University) to earn the Business Strategy Certification (learn an effective, easy-to-understand framework for creating value and achieving exceptional financial performance).
- You will have the opportunity to present your business to funders.
- You will have the opportunity to qualify to participate in an ACANEA pitch competition and access more capital to grow your business.