The 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
About the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub:
The 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (Knowledge Hub) is a national research network dedicated to generating data and consolidating resources, best practices, and tools to benefit 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. The goal of the Knowledge Hub is to provide public access to these resources, supports, and information, regarding the 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurial landscape in Canada, through an accessible online platform.
As an underdeveloped field of research, 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and businesses lack equitable access to support systems, business opportunities, and resourceful information. By conducting nation-wide qualitative and quantitative research in Canada, the Knowledge Hub will identify these research gaps and seek to support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and businesses in overcoming the challenges and systemic barriers they encounter.
Announcing the Knowledge Hub funding recipient:
We are thrilled to announce that the Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity, in partnership with eHUB Entrepreneurship Centre, at the University of Alberta, has been selected as the funding recipient for the Knowledge Hub. The Fyrefly Institute is a non-profit organization and research institute housed in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. The Fyrefly Institute brings a wealth of expertise and commitment to advancing research and support initiatives for 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Partners: The Fyrefly Institute will be working alongside 7 research partners to develop the Knowledge Hub, as well as a host of other collaborators. The consortium’s partners include:
- MacEwan University – AB
- Edmonton 2 Spirit Society – AB
- GATE (Rotman) – ON
- Queer Yukon Society – YT
- University of New Brunswick – NB
- Research Impact Canada – ON
- The 519 – ON
The 2SLGBTQI+ Knowledge Hub will contribute to the following objectives:
- Develop and maintain an ecosystem database and map that inventories key stakeholders, programs, and types of business support available to 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs across Canada, in both French and English.
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative research and analysis to generate reports and publications on 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurship, both academic and non-academic.
- Strengthen and expand the network of stakeholders, including educational institutions, and provide leadership on how 2SLGBTQI+ data disaggregation and generation can be supported by other organizations across Canada. This includes activities related to knowledge mobilization, ensuring that research findings and best practices are effectively shared and utilized across the network.
A press event was held on August 29, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, to announce the Fyrefly Institute as the Funding Recipient of the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program. To read more about the recent announcement, you can access the press release here in English and here in French.
Research Advisory Committee:
Applications for the Knowledge Hub were reviewed by an external selection committee with a wealth of expertise in research and entrepreneurship.
We would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their participation on the Selection Committee:
- Isaac Cook
- Cornel Grey
- Kojo B. Otoo
- Jade Pichette
- Stephanie Sinclair
Contact
If you have any questions or issues, our Grant Manager is here for you:
Abdi Hassan (he/him), Grant Manager Research
abdi@cglcc.ca
(416) 761-5151 – ext. 104
For media inquiries, please contact:
Reggie Lemaire Costa (she/her), Marketing Coordinator
reggie-lemaire.costa@cglcc.ca
(416) 761-5151 – ext. 124
