Idea Connector Network Information

The Idea Connector Network (ICN) has developed Canada’s first engagement platform linking Aboriginal people, businesses and governments in their business relationships, economic and community development. The ICN team and advisory circle are made up of people with Aboriginal and non-aboriginal heritage, experienced in social integration and social change. The Idea Connector Network (ICN) focuses on Aboriginal entrepreneurship and on helping enhance entrepreneurial capabilities. Our ICN hosts with the help of subject area experts set out to explore (using video interviews, online panel discussions and workshops) challenges and opportunities facing Aboriginal entrepreneurs. ICN has also introduced the use of Foresight methods with Multimedia to explore issues important to building sustainable economic futures for Aboriginal people. All content is made available at www.IdeaConnector.net for FREE. Our subscription based network is some 7,000 subscribers. We are now extending our reach through partnerships with selected Aboriginal groups. Our subscriber network is 53% female / 47% male and some 70% of our subscribers own a business (23% have no employees -- 46% have one employee – 23% have 3 or more, and 8% have 6 or more) – Most (68%) live in urban areas, 23% on reserves with road access and 8% on remote reserves. Over 90% of our subscribers have completed high-school; most have completed some college courses or better. In a recent survey of viewers, responders gave ICN a score exceeding 90% for the quality of its interviews, panel discussions and workshops and for the pertinence of the ICN content. However, viewers are now encouraging ICN to launch peer discussion groups on entrepreneurship. ICN is a social enterprise, a third party independent organization. We do not seek and have never received core funding from government. But ICN does need financial support to produce content of value to help enhance Aboriginal entrepreneurship capacity.