Potawatomi Ventures Launches Bwadwét Innovation Community to Empower the Next Generation of Indigenous Entrepreneurs
The new Indigenous-centered hub invites Indigenousentrepreneurs into a community of resources, mentorship and cultural grounding
(Milwaukee, May 28, 2026)- Potawatomi Ventures announced today the launch of its newest subsidiary, the Bwadwét Innovation Community, marking a significant step forward in strengthening Indigenous entrepreneurship among Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC) tribal members and across Indian Country. Created to fill a critical gap, the community provides the tools, mentorship and culturally grounded support needed to turn strong ideas into thriving businesses.
Bwadwét Innovation Community will host two cohorts annually for a 15-week session where participants receive personalized guidance based on where they are in the entrepreneurial journey. The Community’s curriculum integrates business fundamentals with Indigenous ways of knowing, 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.
“What began as a spark — an idea to help tribal members step into business ownership — is growing into a movement designed to transform the future of Indigenous entrepreneurship,” said Alexis Harris, Director of Bwadwét Innovation Community. “At its core, the Bwadwét Innovation Community exists to uplift Indigenous innovators and ensure they don’t have to build alone. We are creating an opportunity rooted in culture, connection and resilience and we are excited to deliver a supportive ecosystem empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.”
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.
Through the program, participants will develop skills in core business fundamentals, receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, as well as opportunities for peer learning, networking and community building.
“We are thrilled to bring this program to life in Wisconsin and ultimately, across Indian Country,” said Kip Ritchie, CEO of Potawatomi Ventures. “As a leader in economic diversification, we have long believed in sharing our best practices and lessons learned because we know we are stronger together. Supporting Indigenous innovators in ways that help them achieve their business goals is deeply meaningful, and with Alexis at the helm, we are confident this program will help cultivate the next generation of Indigenous business leaders.”
Bwadwét is pronounced bwah-DWET and translates to the one who starts a fire. To learn more about the Bwadwét Innovation Community or to apply for the cohort program, visit https://www.potawatomiventures.com/bwadwet-innovation-community. 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.
Interested participants can also attend one of the following informational sessions: In-person sessions will be held on June 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM at the FCP Community Center, 5471 The Place Where Everyone Comes To Play Rd., Crandon, WI 54520. A virtual session will take place on June 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM via Microsoft Teams. Participants can register for the virtual session in advance.
About Bwadwét Innovation Community: A subsidiary of Potawatomi Ventures, Bwadwét Innovation Community is an Indigenous-centered innovation hub dedicated to empowering Native entrepreneurs through culturally relevant education, mentorship and community. By blending business fundamentals with Indigenous ways of knowing, Bwadwét Innovation Community works to create lasting economic opportunity and generational prosperity across Indian Country. To learn more, or to apply for the program, visit https://www.potawatomiventures.com/bwadwet-innovation-community.
About Potawatomi Ventures: Potawatomi Ventures is owned and operated by the Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin. The Company seeks to generate wealth and improve the quality of life for the Tribe by making strategic investments, acquisitions and prudent asset management decisions. Resources generated by Potawatomi Ventures and its holdings help diversify the tribal economy supporting Forest County Potawatomi’s tribal government and help improve the lives of tribal members. Potawatomi Ventures subsidiary companies include Greenfire Management Services, Data Holdings, Sagewind Development, Wgema Leasing, fireside MARKET, Lyons Electric, Bwadwét Innovation Community and several Federal contracting operations. For more information, visit potawatomiventures.com.
