BEEM Connects Black entrepreneurs to $37 Billion Buyer — The Government of Canada

August 30, 2024 — Imagine having access to a client with a $37-billion budget who is constantly seeking goods and services. This is now a reality for Black entrepreneurs with the help of the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub’s Ecosystem Map (BEEM). With this new addition, Black entrepreneurs across the country can now see how their business links to one of the largest buyers of goods and services in Canada— the Government—unlocking unprecedented opportunities for growth for Black entrepreneurs.  
 
What Makes BEEM Unique
BEEM, the Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Map, is a unique, interactive tool designed specifically for Black entrepreneurs. This one-of-a-kind resource visually illustrates the connections between Black-owned businesses, organizations that support Black entrepreneurship, and entities looking to engage with these businesses. Plotted over a geographic map of Canada, BEEM provides a comprehensive view of the networks supporting Black-owned enterprises, showcasing these connections at both national and provincial levels. This makes it easier for entrepreneurs to identify opportunities, build partnerships, and tap into resources that drive business growth.
 
What distinguishes BEEM from other support tools for Black entrepreneurs is its ability to unify the fragmented Black business landscape in Canada. Until now, information about the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem in Canada has been scattered, with no central source for entrepreneurs—or those looking to engage with them—to consult. BEEM changes this by serving as a dynamic, continuously expanding tool that consolidates valuable resources for Black entrepreneurs nationwide. By bringing together information from Black-owned businesses, potential clients, support organizations, and funders from across various industries, BEEM creates a comprehensive, user-friendly tool that maps the Black business landscape. This unique platform makes it easier for all parties to connect, collaborate, and access opportunities that were previously difficult to find.
 
How BEEM Connects Black Entrepreneurs with Opportunities
For many Black entrepreneurs, who are often solo operators and small business owners, the idea of securing a contract with the Government of Canada might seem out of reach. However, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is committed to increasing the participation of businesses owned or led by underrepresented groups, including Black entrepreneurs. PSPC’s Office of Small and Medium Enterprises has expanded its outreach to engage these businesses, ensuring they understand and can access federal procurement opportunities. Through BEEM, Black entrepreneurs can now see the connection between their business and Procurement Canada, while Procurement Canada has a new resource to access Black-owned businesses.
 
Procurement Canada offers low dollar value contracts that present a valuable opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to begin building a business relationship with the Government of Canada. By starting with these smaller contracts, Black-owned businesses can gradually establish a proven track record of delivering quality goods and services, positioning themselves for future growth. These contracts not only provide revenue but also the experience and credibility needed to compete for larger projects. By adding their business to BEEM, Black business owners can take a strategic step towards expanding their market reach and solidifying their reputation within the public sector.
 
Additionally, as a feature of BEEM’s connectivity, the map opens the door for Black entrepreneurs to partner with one another, forming alliances that can tackle larger contracts from entities like Procurement Canada. By leveraging their collective strengths, these partnerships can bid on more substantial projects that may be beyond the reach of a single small business. This approach not only enables Black entrepreneurs to scale their operations but also fosters a sense of community and shared success. Through BEEM, Black business owners can find potential partners, share resources, and work together to seize bigger opportunities, further enhancing their growth and impact on the Canadian economy.
 
BEEM and the Black Business Community in Canada
The BEEM is the result of a collaborative effort driven by Black researchers, for Black entrepreneurs. This innovative tool was developed by researchers at the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) in partnership with Carleton University’s Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre (GCRC) and with the support of Innovation, Science, Education and Development Canada (ISED). With Dream Legacy Foundation (DLF), a co-lead organization of the BEKH, the BEKH has engaged in extensive consultations with the Black business community to develop the map. Designed as an ever-evolving resource, BEEM empowers Black business owners by giving them control over their own information. Organizations featured on the map can update their details whenever they choose, ensuring the platform remains accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to its users.
 
By joining BEEM, Black business owners can gain valuable insight into the numerous opportunities available to help their business grow. With BEEM, the path to building meaningful, long-lasting business relationships with, not only the Government of Canada but others as well, has become clearer. Whether they are Black business owners aiming to expand their reach or organizations dedicated to supporting Black entrepreneurship, BEEM is a necessary resource to navigating the Black business landscape in Canada. Add your business to BEEM today and become part of a powerful network dedicated to growth, collaboration, and economic empowerment.

The team from the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH), Carleton University’s Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre (GCRC) and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) meet to discuss PSPC’s as a new addition to the ecosystem map (BEEM).

Dominic Laporte, Assistant Deputy Minister, Procurement, explores the Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Map (BEEM) with Deborah Allotey, BEEM Mapping Coordinator at the Small Business Information Expo in February 2024.