Pijunnautitaaq
Inuit Business Capacity Building Initiative (IBCBI)
Explore your idea. Learn the steps. Decide what comes next.
Have you ever thought about starting your own business, but weren’t sure where to begin? You may have a skill to offer, a product in mind or a need in your community you would like to meet. This 10-day blended program combines self-directed online learning with instructor-led webinars for a total of 80 hours. It will help you explore business opportunities, develop practical skills and decide whether business ownership is right for you. No previous business experience or fully developed business idea is required to participate.
Designed and reviewed by Inuit business owners and cultural advisors, Pijunnautitaaq connects business learning with Inuit values and real business experiences. Through Inuit business profiles, case studies, discussions and activities, you will learn from the challenges others have faced and the opportunities they have explored. You will apply those lessons to your own ideas as you build a draft business plan.
Financial Support for Your Participation
$1,760 Training Stipend + $150 Internet Support
As an accepted participant, you will receive a $1,760 training stipend and $150 toward internet costs. Both payments are made at the end of the full 10-day training, subject to attendance and completion of required session work. All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
Is This Program for You?
You can apply if you are an eligible Inuit beneficiary enrolled under an Inuit land claim agreement and living anywhere in Canada. You may live in Inuit Nunangat or elsewhere in Canada, North or South.
Whether you are exploring business ownership for the first time or have an idea you are ready to develop, you will have space to ask questions, explore your options and plan your next steps.
What you will learn
1. Explore Business Ownership and Your Strengths
Begin with your interests, experience and goals. Explore what it means to be an entrepreneur, what business owners do and which skills you may need to build. Learn how leadership, clear communication, Inuit values and community relationships can guide your choices. Consider what success would mean for you, your family and your community.
2. Develop Your Idea and Find Opportunities
Learn how to turn an idea into a clear business concept. Identify who might buy your product or service, what they need and how to test your idea before investing money. Compare different ways to own and run a business, including working on your own, with partners or through a community-owned business. Explore where your idea could work: locally, across your region, throughout Canada or in other countries. Business examples include arts, tourism, food services, construction, repairs, transport, online services, and defence and northern security support.
3. Plan Your Costs, Find Funding and Reach Customers
Explore funding options, including grants, loans and investment. Begin building a startup budget and learn what funding applications may require. You will also explore pricing, marketing, social media, online sales and customer service, helping you plan how to reach customers and build a trusted business name.
4. Plan Your Costs, Find Funding and Reach Customers
Explore funding options, including grants, loans and investment. Begin building a startup budget and learn what funding applications may require. You will also explore pricing, marketing, social media, online sales and customer service, helping you plan how to reach customers and build a trusted business name.
5. Understand Registration and Prepare for Contracts
Learn the steps for setting up your business, including registration, permits, insurance and basic tax responsibilities. Explore Inuit Firm registration, the ownership information and documents you may need, and where to find help. You will also be introduced to procurement, the process governments and organizations use to buy goods and services. Learn about purchasing rules that support Inuit businesses and how to prepare for contracts with municipal, provincial, territorial and federal governments, Inuit organizations and companies. Topics include supplier registration, explaining what your business can offer and working with other businesses on contracts.
6. Bring Your Business Plan Together
Build and improve your own draft business plan as you learn. Bring together your idea, startup budget, funding options, marketing approach and next steps. Practise explaining your idea through a short presentation. You will also identify what needs more work and when to seek help from an accountant, lawyer or business advisor.
Explore AI, with You in Control
Learn how artificial intelligence (AI) could support your research, planning, writing and
marketing. Explore its benefits and risks, how to check its answers and what information should
stay private. Protecting Inuit knowledge, respecting consent and using your own judgment are
central to this learning. You choose whether to use AI.
How You Will Learn
Your training runs Monday to Friday over two weeks, with weekends off. The program
combines individual learning and practical work with instructor-led discussion.
Work through the online modules in Articulate, using activities and templates to develop your
own business ideas. Join a two-hour Zoom webinar each training day to review topics, discuss
what you are learning and ask questions. Your course content is available 24/7, including
weekends, with resources you can download for business planning and development.
Training is facilitated in English, with Inuktitut co-facilitation by Pitsulala Lyta and access
to translated learning materials. You will learn alongside a small group of 10 Inuit
participants.
Choose Your Training Cohort
There are 40 funded places across four cohorts, with 10 participants in each group. Choose the dates that work for you and register during the matching registration period.
Cohort 1
Registration Period: November 16–December 2, 2026
Training Dates: December 7–18, 2026
Cohort 2
Registration Period: December 14–31, 2026
Training Dates: January 4–15, 2027
Cohort 3
Registration Period: January 11–27, 2027
Training Dates: February 1–12, 2027
Cohort 4
Registration Period: February 8–24, 2027
Training Dates: March 1–12, 2027
Go Further with Optional FREE Procurement Sessions
Interested in selling your products or services to the federal government? Continue your learning through free, optional modules and discussions, separate from the 10-day core program.
Federal Procurement | March 15–16, 2027
Learn how to pursue contracts with the Government of Canada. Explore where to find opportunities, how to read requests for proposals (RFPs) and how to structure and write your proposals.
Defence and Northern Security Procurement | March 17–18, 2027
Explore opportunities with Defence Construction Canada and northern security procurement. Learn how to find and interpret RFPs, prepare proposals and understand applicable security clearance requirements. These sessions are designed for businesses ready to explore these types of contracts.
Take the Next Step with Your Idea
You do not need all the answers before you begin. Start with your interests, learn the steps and build a clearer plan for what comes next.
Choose your cohort and register during its registration period. For program information, contact iSDC Solutions at (819) 440-6743.
What Makes This Training Possible?
iSDC Solutions acknowledges the financial support of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) through the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP). Funding supported toolkit development in 2025–26 and training delivery in 2026–27.
The initiative builds Inuit business skills and readiness to compete for government contracts, in line with the objectives of Article 24 of the Nunavut Agreement. While its Article 24 focus relates to government contracting in the Nunavut Settlement Area, the funded program supports business development for eligible Inuit beneficiaries across Canada.