How can Hamilton create a BIPOC entrepreneurship program that meets and reflects the experiences and needs of the community?
Project Description:
Hamilton is one of the nation’s most diversified economies, the fastest-growing mid-sized city for tech talent, and carries a fantastic community approach to supporting investment big and small. Opening and operating local small businesses takes a lot of support and strategy and these businesses are vital to our community. Ontario Small Business Grants are available to Ontarians looking to launch their own business. However, based on research and current programming, there is a lack of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour) specific entrepreneurship programming offered in the City of Hamilton. In the past few years, local stakeholders and community groups have developed programs and networks to encourage and promote BIPOC owned businesses in Hamilton. In order to further support this community, there is a need to carry out research in the hopes of creating a new entrepreneurship program that specifically services Hamilton's BIPOC communities.
Challenge Summary:
Redeemer University: To identify barriers, research existing programs and needs, and develop best practices on the creation of a BIPOC entrepreneurship program.
McMaster University: To build on the environmental scan and best practice research that the Redeemer Team builds by interviewing BIPOC entrepreneurs in Hamilton to understand their experiences
City Staff: Michael Marini, Coordinator, Marketing, City of Hamilton Economic Development
Faculty, Course & Students: Gloria Kim, Redeemer University, Core Capstone Shahad Al-Saqqar & Jen Pearson, McMaster University, Course: HTHSCI 4D06, 4D09, 4D12
Where will the work go and what will it be used for: Students will develop survey and/or an interview guide to engage directly with the BIPOC entrepreneurs in Hamilton, identifying their needs and barriers. They will then use this information in combination with the research done by the Redeemer students to provide a holistic report and recommendations for the City of Hamilton’s Economic Development office.
McMaster Group:
Redeemer Groups:
