Tribe Network

Tribe Network is a Canadian social enterprise and innovation hub dedicated to supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) in their entrepreneurial and innovation pursuits. Founded in 2021 by Alfred Burgesson, the Halifax-based organization was born from his personal experiences of navigating the entrepreneurial ecosystem and recognizing the need for a more inclusive and supportive environment. Burgesson, who immigrated from Ghana to Canada at a young age, has a background in community building and has advised various leaders and organizations in Canada, including the Prime Minister and the African Canadian Senate Group. His work on projects exploring the barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs was a direct catalyst for creating Tribe Network.

The organization operates as a non-profit and focuses on providing racialized entrepreneurs with access to community, coaching, and capital. It offers a range of programs and services, including mentorship, expert-led workshops, an online learning platform, and referrals to ecosystem partners. Specific initiatives include the 'Accelerate Tech' program for tech entrepreneurs, the 'Start Small Grant' which provides non-repayable funding for early-stage ideas, and the 'Black Youth AI Fellowship', an 8-week virtual AI education program. Tribe Network also facilitates programs aimed at specific demographics, such as the 'Out East' program for racialized 2SLGBTQIA+ founders in Atlantic Canada. By 2024, the network had grown to serve over 1,000 people.

Tribe Network has established numerous partnerships with incubators, accelerators, and universities across Atlantic Canada, including Volta, Venn Innovation, Dalhousie University, and Saint Mary's University, to enhance its support system. The organization's business model is supported by funding from partners such as the Government of Canada and Emera, which committed $800,000 between 2021 and 2024. Looking forward, Tribe Network has set a goal to generate $1 billion in economic value for racialized entrepreneurs in its network by 2030 and is developing an early-stage venture fund to invest equity into its members' companies.

Keywords: racialized entrepreneurs, BIPOC founders, innovation hub, entrepreneurship support, social enterprise, Atlantic Canada, mentorship, venture capital, tech accelerator, community building, diversity in tech, economic empowerment, Black entrepreneurs, Indigenous innovators, startup funding, skills development, professional networking, business coaching, youth entrepreneurship, AI fellowship