About CCAE
The CCAE serves all Canadians.
- Indigenous people with The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc, and
- Non-Indigenous people with the Canadian Centre for Accelerated Entrepreneurship.
CCAE Provides:
- Entrepreneurship project management
- Entrepreneurship training
- Speaking and writing services on Entrepreneurship and the New Gig Economy
- Consulting to government and Indigenous businesses, organizations and individuals
This is accomplished by forming virtual partnerships with complementary team members.
The CCAE is owned by Bruce Lacroix, President and CEO. Born in Halifax of mixed Mi’kmaq and French heritage, Bruce now lives in the picturesque heritage town of Nelson, BC with his family.
A life-long entrepreneur and self-professed “terrible employee working for others”, Bruce works best in collaboration wth others to help achieve success for all involved
About Aboriginal Best
BEST helps to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of people, communities, and organizations. Participants meet guest speakers, identify viable business ideas, determine their feasibility, and take steps to start or grow their own businesses. Learn to conduct market research, write business plans, and explore financing options on your journey to self-employment success!
Aboriginal BEST is for Aboriginal, Métis, and Inuit, status or not, who are interested in becoming self-employed or starting their own business. BEST benefits people in all stages of business development who want to turn their dreams into reality. Some people are looking for a part-time business opportunity, others have a solid idea to research, and some are eager to write a plan that will help them launch or grow their venture.
Over 3000 people in 130 communities across Canada have taken part in Aboriginal BEST in the past 15 years.
OUR TEAM
We have years of experience working with all people, all across Canada. We are super easy to get along with, speak in every day, easy to understand language, and are ourselves currently entrepreneurs. We believe in having fun while helping others.
Testimonials
It’s not important what we say about ourselves: It’s what others have to say that is the true worth of a business.
COMMENTS FROM FUNDERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND OTHER BIGWIGS…
“Programs such as Aboriginal BEST – the Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training Program illustrate our commitment to entrepreneurship development. … evaluations of the program have shown that a high percentage of BEST graduates move quickly into employment or self-employment.”
- The Honourable Barry Penner, as BC Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Strategic Conversations Annual Forum
“The Aboriginal BEST material that Mr. Lacroix developed is a great resource and is easy to teach to students. … When I met Mr. Lacroix I was working as the Economic Development Coordinator for my organization. I also maintain contracts with the Universities to teach business and economic development courses. The teaching material that Mr. Lacroix developed is very exceptional for our First Nations students. I have struggled to find good textbooks and I often refer to sections of the Aboriginal BEST Participant’s Manual. He maintains a First Nations perspective to business. This is hard to find.”
- Crystal Verhaeghe, MBA, Past Executive Director, Tsilhqot’in National Government
“Programs such as Aboriginal BEST – the Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training Program illustrate our commitment to entrepreneurship development. … evaluations of the program have shown that a high percentage of BEST graduates move quickly into employment or self-employment.”
- The Honourable Barry Penner, as BC Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Strategic Conversations Annual Forum