(bwah-DWET) — named from the Potawatomi word meaning “the one who starts a fire”
BWADWÉT INNOVATION COMMUNITY
Bwadwét Innovation Community began as a spark - an idea to help tribal members step into business ownership - and grew into a movement to transform the future of Indigenous entrepreneurship. It was created to fill a gap in Indian Country, where great ideas often exist without the tools or support needed to bring them to life. Bwadwét Innovation Community opens new pathways for self-sufficiency, creativity, and community-driven prosperity.
CREATING PROSPERITY
As Potawatomi Ventures continues to serve as a model for economic development and income diversification in Indian Country while actively engaging with the Forest County Potawatomi Community, Bwadwét Innovation Community supports expanding a new generation of entrepreneurs and advancing a strong tradition of growing talent from within.
Bwadwét Innovation Community offers a 15-week, cohort-based training program, Ignite, designed to support Indigenous entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, and cultural connection. Bwadwét Innovation Community will host the first Ignite program where participants receive personalized guidance based on where they are in the entrepreneurial journey. Ignite’s curriculum integrates business fundamentals with traditional knowledge, meaning it will be grounded in culture, and will feature expert guest speakers and community-building activities. Future offerings will include quarterly workshops, self-guided resources, and plans for co-working spaces and artisan storefronts.
IGNITE
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Primary candidates for the program include FCPC tribal members, their spouses and descendants who own businesses or have business ideas and artisans with an inventory of work they would like to take to the next level. The inaugural cohort, which will begin July 13, 2026, will be comprised of FCPC tribal members located in Wisconsin. Future cohorts will be open to entrepreneurs from across Indian Country. All non-FCPC applicants must be connected to a federally recognized tribe.
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Week 1: Prepare to Succeed
Week 2: Exploring Your Business Idea
Week 3: Practical Business Planning
Week 4: Marketing Plan
Week 5: Legal Readiness
Week 6: Managing the Business
Week 7: Market Analysis
Week 8: What You Sell & What You Charge
Week 9: Channels & Campaigns
Week 10: Sales that Work
Week 11: Budgeting and Cost Planning
Week 12: Financial Statements, Cash is King
Week 13: Financing Your Business & Tips for Success
Week 14: Business Planning Studio
Week 15: Business Pitch Showcase
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Applications will be open on a rolling basis and capped once the maximum number of participants for the cohort is reached. The first cohort will be limited to 15 participants, so early application is encouraged.
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Alexis Harris
Bwadwét Innovation Community Director
Alexis Harris serves as the Director of Bwadwét Innovation Community, responsible for supporting entrepreneurial growth within Indian Country. She leads efforts mentoring business ideas from indigenous entrepreneurs and provides access to key resources. She’s an enrolled Forest County Potawatomi Tribal Member with experience as a former Potawatomi Ventures Board Member and her roles at Gartner and Nicolet College.
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Haley Garcia
Bwadwét Innovation Community Program Specialist
Haley Garcia serves as the Bwadwét Innovation Community Program Specialist, coordinating and co-facilitating programming that provides training for indigenous entrepreneurs on their path to small business ownership. As an entrepreneur herself, she has a unique ability to build community and connection amongst entrepreneurs. She’s an enrolled Katishtya (San Felipe Pueblo) and Navajo tribal member.
CASE STUDY
Wisconsin Tribes Empowering Tribal Entrepreneurs with State Grant