Canada Makes $25 Million Dollar Investment in LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs

In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with the co-founder and CEO of the CGLCC, Darrell Schuurman. The CGLCC is Canada’s LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and is a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to expand the opportunities and advancement of the LGBTQ+ business community in Canada and has been in operation for over 20 years. In June of this year, The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development, announced that the Government of Canada had selected the CGLCC to administer Canada’s first-ever LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurship Program. The $25 million dollar investment will assist entrepreneurs who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ in overcoming the systemic barriers they face when starting and expanding their businesses. Watch on YouTube --- [03:28] Canada's government invests $25 million in LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. [04:40] CGLCC worked for 3-4 years to advocate and lobby for dedicated programs supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. [06:05] LGBTQ+ businesses contribute over $22 billion to Canada's economy and employ almost half a million Canadians. [09:58] The $11.5 million Business Scale-Up Program focuses on national-level support, including mentorship, supplier diversity, and global market access for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. [22:50] The $8.5 million Ecosystem Fund strengthens LGBTQ+ business support organizations nationwide, helping them provide more assistance to entrepreneurs. [27:23] The program aims to support LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs by gathering more data and research on LGBTQ+ businesses nationwide and providing a knowledge hub with resources to aid their growth. [28:28] Understanding regional challenges: The program aims to analyze the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in different regions like Alberta, Northern Manitoba, and Northern Saskatchewan. [29:38] The program will collaborate with educational institutions to deliver resources and tools to support LGBTQ+ businesses' growth and development. [32:23] The initiative emphasizes supporting marginalized communities within the LGBTQ+ business community, including queer Black, Indigenous, people of color, and transgender entrepreneurs. [37:35] The CGLCC has two certification programs: the Supplier Diversity Program, which certifies businesses with 51% LGBTQ+ ownership, and the Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program, recognizing inclusive businesses supporting the LGBTQ+ community. --- ► Today’s Sponsor is ConvertKit. Claim your free 14-day free trial today to see if it's right for you. Learn the basics of becoming an online entrepreneur: Check out A Beginners Course on How to Start an Online Business Join the email list for news and updates --- The CGLCC website