What is Initiate?
THE INITIATE PROGRAM
Initiate is a mentorship and incubator program supporting participants to launch a business idea and gain employment skills in sought after industries. Designed for Graduates of the Inspire program, the program is for aspiring entrepreneurs and employment seekers to build on their knowledge and skills in self-directed, gamified learning.
Inspire graduates across all regions are selected to participate in the Initiate program in cross Territory and provincial cohorts. It gives participants the option to choose between a business incubator, employment incubator, and work-integrated learning placements. Initiate utilizes labour market information and industry partnerships, to offer guidance, practical work experience.
How Initiate Works
The journey doesn’t need to end with Inspire! Initiate provides a variety of opportunities for Inspire graduates to continue along their path of leadership. Initiate offers more focused opportunities for graduates wishing to launch a business or community project, gain specific skills for employment, earn a paid work experience, or simply stay connected with your Inspire family!
Initiate is broken down into three interconnected streams, given Inspire Graduates options to choose how they wish to progress their goals.
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Initiate Incubator Program
The Initiate incubator is a safe space for our alumni to grow! It’s a supportive environment where participants can get support to achieve their goals. Our Initiate Incubator programs help participants fast track success while minimizing risks and maximizing rewards.
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Work Integrated Learning
Work Integrated Learning, or WIL, is a hands-on way for our alumni to learn on the job! WIL is all about connection and giving you opportunities to succeed in a work environment.
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Youth Network
Inspire Graduates will always be in our network and receive updates on our upcoming opportunities. They can also stay connected to the Inspire team and the Graduate Program Manager for guidance on education, employment and entrepreneurship.
INITIATE: INCUBATOR PROGRAM
What is The Initiate Incubator?
The Initiate Incubator is offered in two different streams, on a rotational basis. This gives participants the option to choose whether they want to focus on building employment skills and getting work experience, or launching a venture of their own.
Features of the Initiate Incubator:
Available to 10 participants per cohort with a selection process to help determine who is eligible for this program
12 week program estimated at 6-8 hours of work each week
Virtual program for cross Territory and provincial exchanges
Northern and Indigenous focused content, leadership and subject matter experts
Group cohort learning experience, the opportunity to continue to grow your support network
Focus on personalized mentorship and coaching
The Enterprise Incubator: For early stage entrepreneurs
Do you have a business idea you’re passionate about that you want to launch? This program may be the perfect fit for you! Entrepreneurship is about learning through doing, and that is exactly what Initiate allows you to do!
Initiate is a 12-week program that is customized for each participant to help them launch and operationalize their business outside of the classroom and in the real world. This program is designed to support the development of all types of business models from traditional for-profit businesses to non-profit projects and everything in between.
Through a unique learning experience, you will develop a personal work plan, complete tasks, checkpoints and goals to unlock rewards that will help bring your ideas to life. With the support of peers from across Nunavut, NWT and the Yukon and with mentorship from SEW and established entrepreneurs, develop your business and access start-up funding to take things to the next level!
The Initiate Incubator is looking for participants with:
Successful experience with Inspire Program, with community referrals taken into consideration on a case by case basis
Existing experience learning through digital platforms
Abilities and motivation to work independently on their goals
Aspirations to see rural, remote, and northern economies flourish either through the development of their own business/
non-profit idea or through local employment
Hear From Our Participants!
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Amira Strain
Yukon
“Initiate helped me get a better understanding of the financial side of things. I loved having the space and time and worksheets to break that stuff down. The worksheets will be super helpful for the future too.”
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Neevee Padluq
Nunavut
“I feel like I've gained more confidence in myself, and I‘m becoming a better business owner.”
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Katharine Thomas
NWT
“There are so many resources for starting a small business, especially as a young person in the North! Knowing this helps me feel less alone in the creation and operation of my business.”
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Sarah Long
Nunavut
“Keep your mind and effort towards your goal; you can achieve anything. I went from starting with almost nothing for my business to having almost everything I need!”
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Sahara James
Yukon
“One thing I value the most from this program is the connection to people and other entrepreneurs. I will stay connected to the people in the program.”
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Guna Jensen
Yukon
“Through Initiate, I learned about the importance of connection - it can make or break your business. lt is crucial to have like-minded entrepreneurial minds be part of your circle, especially in the early seed stages of a business.”
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Mavis Wedzin
NWT
“Small progress is big progress. Being a risk taker is something everyone should try doing!”
Employment Incubator: For Job Seekers
Coming Fall 2024!
INITIATE: YOUTH NETWORK
Inspire participants and graduates will always be part of the Inspire family! Stay connected via email updates as well and quarterly phone call check-ins.
This pathway includes invitations to participate in workshops with limited seats available. There will be a wide range of workshops offered. Some will be focused on personal development (for example, managing personal finances, wellness, mental health etc.), others will focus on career building, and there will also be entrepreneurial/business focused workshops if you are still interested in pursuing your business idea. You will also receive invitations to attend any in-person gathering happening in or around your community.
You also will always be able to contact the Graduate Program Manager to help advise you or guide you to the right resources regarding education, employment, or entrepreneurship.