The 2017 Innovation Challenge video is here!

Get to know the six finalists – Timothy Clani Jr’s Mobile Automotive Technician, Laura Clelland’s Salt Woman (formerly Diabetes Source), Shayla Yellowhair, Edward Chato-Seaton‘s Rezlist, Cyndi Frank, and Amber Kanazbah Crotty’s Beauty is Restored Family Farms. We’re looking forward to following their journey!

In January 2017, we launched an open competition to identify high-potential Native American entrepreneurs with an idea that benefits Southwestern tribal communities. We selected six finalists to pitch their idea at Change Labs 2017, our annual entrepreneurship and innovation event, in Tuba City, AZ. A panel of judges selected three winners to each receive $5000 in seed money, one year of business incubation support, and on-going mentorship. Our objective in launching the competition was to elevate Native social entrepreneurs and highlight to the public the many challenges that entrepreneurs face when implementing an idea on tribal lands. The Native American Business Incubator and New Mexico Community Capital were our partners in this effort. We are thankful to the National Endowment for the Arts and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for funding this initiative.

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