(Milwaukee, June 3 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 participantsreceive 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, as well as artisans seeking to take their work 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 across Indian Country. All non-FCPC applicants must be connected to a federally recognized tribe.
Program participants will develop skills in core business fundamentals, receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, learn from industry experts, and have 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 as “the one who starts a fire.” To learn more about the Bwadwét Innovation Community or to apply for the cohort program, please visit https://www.potawatomiventures.com/bwadwet-innovation-community. Applications will be open on a rolling basis and are limited to a maximum number of cohort participants. The first cohort will be limited to 15 participants, so early application is encouraged.
Interested parties 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.
