The North Forge Indigenous Entrepreneur Scholarship continues to remove barriers and create opportunities for the next generation of innovators. This year’s recipients, Tyler Braun-Colombe and Zac Poitras, have joined the North Forge community with full access to the FabLab™, one of North America’s largest public fabrication and rapid prototyping facilities.
The year-long scholarship includes:
A 1-year FabLab membership
Training on state-of-the-art machines
Shelf space for project development
Materials and consumables
Access to mentorship and the broader North Forge community
Meet the 2024-2025 Indigenous Entrepreneur Scholarship Recipients
Tyler Braun-Colombe
Aiming to make a mark in the fashion and clothing industry, Tyler plans to use equipment like the heat press, laser engraver, and vinyl cutter to create meaningful designs that reflect Indigenous identity and inspire change. “This scholarship greatly improves my chances of spreading the message of elevation from person to person,” he said.
Zac Poitras
Zac aims to “level up” their artistic practice. With a background rooted in creative expression, Zac seeks to explore new artistic mediums and challenge the boundaries of their work through experimentation with advanced fabrication tools. The FabLab will provided access to cutting-edge equipment and a supportive environment for creative exploration—empowering Zac to take steps toward more complex, innovative projects.
Why This Scholarship Matters
The North Forge Indigenous Entrepreneur Scholarship, supported by Indigenous Business Development Services and Community Futures Manitoba, empowers Indigenous innovators by eliminating financial barriers to prototyping. With access to tools, mentorship, and a supportive community, recipients can take their ideas from concept to commercialization.
Join the Movement
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a maker with a big idea, or part of an organization looking to support innovation, North Forge offers the training, tools, and community to help you succeed.
👉 Visit northforge.ca/fablab to learn more about our programs and how you can get involved.
