Each year, the Indigenous Business Development Services project (previously Aboriginal Business Service Network) sponsors an Indigenous Business Planning Competition, evoking the spirit of entrepreneurship. Winners in each of the rural and urban (City of Winnipeg) categories receive $5,000 towards starting their business! In previous years, the three semi-finalists in each category pitched their business plan at the Dragon’s Quest competition, which was part of the Vision Quest Indigenous economic development conference.
While Vision Quest has been cancelled due to COVID-19 precautions, our Business Planning competition will continue without the pitch portion of the competition. Applicants will submit their business plan to be judged by a panel of experts from organizations involved in supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship.
The deadline to apply is March 27, 2020. Contest entries should be submitted to Bonita Lavallee, Indigenous Business Development Services Project Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Completed Business Plans and Entry Forms must be received by Friday March 27, 2020, at 4:30 pm.
Dragon's Quest Business Plan Competition
Past ABSN Business Plan Competition Winners
The Dragon's Quest Business Planning Competition hopes to promote and encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship among Aboriginal entrepreneurs across Manitoba. Each year two winners are selected - one in a Rural and one in an Urban (City of Winnipeg) category. For the a list of previous winners click here.
What is the Indigenous Business Development Services Program?
The Indigenous Business Development Services (IBDS) Program is comprised of organizations who offer services to Indigenous entrepreneurs.
We offer:
- Business information and resource materials
- Assistance with business plan preparation
- Business advisory services
- Training in the form of workshops and seminars
Business Development Resources
Call for Proposals 2020/2021 - Indigenous Business Development Services (IBDS) Capacity Building Projects
Community Futures Manitoba invites organizations serving Indigenous entrepreneurs to submit proposals for Indigenous Business Development Services (IBDS) Capacity Building Projects.
Capacity building projects are designed to allow organizations serving Indigenous entrepreneurs to access up to $5,000 to implement projects that will encourage, support and/or assist Indigenous entrepreneurs in communities served by the organization. Applications will be accepted from individual organizations, but preference will be given to applications demonstrating partnerships among service providers/partners.
The application deadline is July 17, 2020 at 4 PM; all projects must be completed by March 31, 2021.
Submissions must include a completed application form and a budget and cash flow summary. Additional information may be included and please attach additional pages if you require more space.
Submissions will be accepted by mail or email. Please forward all submissions to Bonita Lavallee, IBDS Coordinator (contact information below).
Click here to download an application form.
Contact IBDS
Bonita Lavallee, Project Coordinator
Phone: 204-944-8438
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.