Innovations in Indianpreneurship®

2010 Awards Luncheon

"Building Innovative and Sustainable Enterprises in Rural America"

Wednesday September 22nd
10-12     Indianpreneur Showcase (Open to General Public)

• meet the finalists
• music
• art showcase

12-3         Luncheon
(Tickets Required - 35.00 per person and Tables of 8 for $250.00.
Contact Selena or Kristi 503.968.1500 to rsvp and purchase tickets)

12:00      Lunch
1:15        Awards
2:30        Closing Ceremonies

In order to achieve the potential for transformation that an innovation economy holds, we can’t sit back and wait for it to happen.  The renaissance in Tribal economic development in many areas illustrates what can be done, even in distressed rural areas.  The rise in Native entrepreneurship shows equally great promise for the emergence of a vital Native private sector.  ONABEN exists to facilitate these kinds of transformations.  ONABEN has been an innovator in creating new products and services to educate, counsel, coach, and inspire entrepreneurship in Indian Country.  For many years we have sought a creative and culturally appropriate way to generate more capital—financial and social capital—in support of entrepreneurship. We believe we have found a way to accomplish these goals.

Innovations in Indianpreneurship® is a business development process, a competition, and a showcase for Native innovation. Inspired by the World Bank’s Development Marketplace model and the Alaska Federation of Natives Alaska Marketplace, Innovations in Indianpreneurship® seeks to bring Native peoples, ideas, and capital together to create and grow new enterprises in rural Northwest Indian Country.

Through Innovations in Indianpreneurship®, ONABEN will bring new business ideas, entrepreneurs, their mentors and investors together. The business plan competition will test the abilities of entrepreneurs to refine and present their ideas.  The showcase and awards ceremonies will bring the communities of entrepreneurs together with their mentors, investors, and the community to celebrate and support the entrepreneurs.