World Indigenous Business Forum

What World Indigenous Business Forum does

The World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) is an annual international conference founded in 2010 by the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDII), an Indigenous-run not-for-profit incorporated in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Each year the forum rotates to a different host city across 10+ countries (including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Namibia, Guatemala, Chile, Colombia, and Papua New Guinea), drawing Indigenous entrepreneurs, business leaders, youth, and institutional supporters to network, form cross-border partnerships, and explore Indigenous economic development. The 2025 Melbourne edition attracted 500+ delegates from 12 countries; the 2026 Winnipeg edition at the RBC Convention Centre is targeting up to 1,000 delegates and is projected to generate over CAD $3 million in local economic impact.

WIBF's product portfolio centers on the annual in-person forum, complemented by the World Indigenous Business Network (WIBN) — an online community platform that extends the annual gathering into a year-round digital network for Indigenous organizations and entrepreneurs across national chapters. Additional components include a Global Artisan Village (curated exhibition space for Indigenous crafts and products), a separately ticketed Gala dinner, and content artifacts such as executive reports. Technology infrastructure is limited to a website-based registration system, email marketing, and the WIBN community platform; the organization has no mobile apps, no public API, no proprietary AI systems, and no patents or trademarks.

Revenue is generated primarily through tiered delegate registration fees priced in CAD: standard adult ($949+), SME rate ($649, limited availability for Indigenous-owned businesses under $2M annual revenue), and youth ($450, for ages 18-29). A separately ticketed Gala, group bookings, and event-level sponsorships supplement registration income. The organization is privately held as a not-for-profit with no external equity funding, governed by ILDII's board, and operates with a small core leadership team led by founder and CEO Rosa Walker.

Name

World Indigenous Business Forum

Legal name

World Indigenous Business Forum Inc.

Website

https://wibf.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The World Indigenous Business Forum is a Winnipeg-based not-for-profit that runs an annual rotating international conference and online community network (WIBN) connecting Indigenous entrepreneurs, business leaders, and supporters from 10+ countries to form cross-border partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Conference and Event Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Indigenous business networking
• International business conference
• Indigenous economic development
• Event management services
• Business community platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Winnipeg

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Registration: WIBF generates revenue through delegate registration fees for its annual in-person forum. Pricing tiers include standard adult registration (from $949 CAD), youth registration (from $450 CAD), SME special rate ($649 CAD), and group rates for 10 or more registrations. Early bird pricing was available until June 30, 2026. Refunds are accepted with a 25% admin fee if requested by September 1st, 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WIBF operates an annual three-day international in-person conference hosted in rotating cities worldwide, bringing together Indigenous entrepreneurs, business leaders, and allies for keynote sessions, panel presentations, networking, and an Artisan Village exhibition. The forum is complemented by the World Indigenous Business Network (WIBN), an online community platform that sustains year-round connections and partnership opportunities between events.

Product overview

The World Indigenous Business Forum operates as a conference-and-platform organization offering the annual WIBF in-person event as its core product alongside the World Indigenous Business Network (WIBN) online community. The portfolio includes registration tiers (Standard, SME, Youth), the Global Artisan Village exhibition, and the WIBF Gala dinner. The annual forum runs over three days featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking, while WIBN provides year-round digital connectivity for Indigenous business collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• World Indigenous Business Network (WIBN): An online community that connects, inspires, and mobilizes organizations and entrepreneurs for collaborations in the sustainable development of Indigenous businesses at national and international levels.

Products and services

• World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) Annual Conference An annual three-day international in-person conference held in rotating host cities worldwide, connecting Indigenous entrepreneurs, business leaders, and allies through keynote speeches, panel presentations, networking sessions, an Artisan Village, and a separately ticketed Gala. The 2026 edition will be held at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from October 26-28, 2026.
• World Indigenous Business Network (WIBN) An online community platform that connects, inspires, and mobilizes Indigenous organizations and entrepreneurs for sustainable development collaborations at national and international levels, providing year-round market access, partnership formation, and economic prosperity opportunities between the annual in-person forums.
• Global Artisan Village A curated exhibition space within the annual forum showcasing Indigenous creativity, culture, and entrepreneurship, featuring authentic products including art, crafts, jewelry, food items, personal care products, and wearable art from artisans across participating countries.
• WIBF Gala A separately ticketed evening event held at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, featuring dining, cultural performances, live entertainment, and networking to celebrate Indigenous culture, business, leadership, and community. The 2026 Gala is presented by Dreamcatcher Promotions.
• Standard Delegate Registration Standard adult registration from $949 CAD per delegate with Early Bird pricing available until June 30, 2026. Includes full access to the WIBF Conference, sessions, panels, the Artisan Village, networking, and the Welcome Reception at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
• SME Registration Rate A reduced registration rate at $649 CAD per delegate, available to Indigenous-owned businesses with less than $2 million CAD in annual revenue. Includes full conference access with limited spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Indigenous Youth Registration Discounted registration starting from $450 CAD per delegate for Indigenous youth between ages 18-29. Two categories are available: Canadian Indigenous Youth (Non-Status, eligibility confirmed by contacting ILDI) and Status & International Indigenous Youth. Includes full conference access.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ Indigenous business leaders from 12 countries gathered at 2025 Melbourne forum
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Dreamcatcher PromotionsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Indigenous-owned promotional products company (Canada's largest) founded by Michelle Cameron of Peguis First Nation. Presented the 2026 WIBF Gala. Also founder of Indigenous Nations Apparel Company and Dreamcatcher Executive Offices.
• Tourism WinnipegminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Tourism Winnipeg provides travel and visitor guidance for WIBF delegates attending the Winnipeg event, offering resources on getting around, attractions, dining, and Indigenous experiences in the city.
• Hampton Inn by Hilton Winnipeg DowntownminorOthers · 1 March 2026Official hotel partner for WIBF 2026, located at 330 York Ave, Winnipeg. Offers walking distance to the venue and complimentary breakfast. Delegate booking codes available.
• Holiday Inn Express Winnipeg AirportminorOthers · 1 March 2026Official hotel partner for WIBF 2026, located at 1740 Ellice Ave near the airport. Offers delegate booking codes for convenient airport-area accommodation.
• Manitoba Métis FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026The Red River Métis sash presented to Hans P. Bokelund at the 2025 Melbourne forum symbolizes ongoing partnership and mutual respect between Manitoba Métis Federation and international Indigenous partners in the WIBF network.
• Canadian Museum for Human RightsminorOthers · 1 March 2026The opening reception for WIBF 2026 will be held at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, providing a culturally significant venue for the forum's opening.
• Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDII)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026ILDII is the founding organization that initiated WIBF in 2010 and continues to organize and operate the forum. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba (incorporated in 2000), ILDII is an Indigenous-run not-for-profit and the organizational backbone of WIBF. Rosa Walker is President & CEO of both ILDII and WIBF.
• Winnipeg Economic Development & TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Host partner for WIBF 2026. Frances Wellink serves as Director of Business Development Tourism. The organization bid for the event starting in 2023 and is co-organizing the 2026 forum with ILDII. Located at 810 One Lombard Place, Winnipeg.
• Victorian Government (Aboriginal Economic Development)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Led by Hans P. Bokelund (Associate Deputy Secretary for Aboriginal Economic Development), the Victorian Government co-organized WIBF 2025 in Melbourne alongside Kinaway Chamber of Commerce and Indigenous Business Australia.
• Kinaway Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce (Kinaway) co-organized WIBF 2025 in Melbourne alongside the Victorian Government and Indigenous Business Australia.
• Indigenous Business AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Government agency that co-organized WIBF 2025 in Melbourne as part of the Victorian collaboration, advancing Indigenous economic development through international partnerships.
• Manitoba Métis FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Andrew Carrier (Vice President) serves as Chair of the International Leadership Development Institute (ILDI). David Chartrand, President of the Manitoba Métis Federation, expressed strong support for WIBF 2026 in Winnipeg. The federation presented Hans P. Bokelund with a Red River Métis sash at the 2025 Melbourne forum.
• Central Queensland Indigenous Development (CQID)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Australian Indigenous organization whose CEO Jason Field and other staff are featured speakers at WIBF 2026. CQID is described as a regionally significant platform for Indigenous-led system change.
• Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Key partner in bringing WIBF 2024 to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Minerva Jurado-Perea of the Hispano Chamber noted the market is 'Hispanic/Native American.' The Chamber worked for three years to bring the forum to the city.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• New Zealand Māori Business Network: Indigenous business networking initiatives across Aotearoa New Zealand, including those featured at WIBF 2018 in Rotorua. Comparable as a regional peer in the global Indigenous business ecosystem that WIBF aims to connect.
• First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC): Canadian organization supporting Indigenous participation in major resource and infrastructure projects. Comparable as a specialized Indigenous business network with a different economic-development focus but overlapping Indigenous entrepreneur audience.

Direct peers

• Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB): A leading Canadian Indigenous business organization that hosts awards (e.g., Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award received by WIBF ambassadors), events, and networking programs. Directly comparable as an Indigenous business convening organization operating in Canada.
• National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED): Operates the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) and other Indigenous business events across the U.S. Directly comparable as a mission-driven Indigenous economic development conference organizer serving a similar entrepreneur base with a similar annual summit format.
• Kinaway Chamber of Commerce: Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce that co-organized WIBF 2025 in Melbourne. Operates a parallel mission of connecting Indigenous businesses and is a regional peer with growing event and membership offerings.
• National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA): Canadian umbrella organization for Indigenous financial institutions, hosting events and Indigenous Business of the Year awards (a recipient presented at WIBF 2026). Comparable as a national Indigenous business convening body with capital-access programming.

Others

• Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDII): Parent organization of WIBF, an Indigenous-run not-for-profit in Winnipeg offering executive training and leadership programs. Related as the institutional backbone and funding channel for WIBF's operations.
• HXM (HX) / The World Business Forum by Economist Impact: The original World Business Forum from which WIBF was incubated in 2010 (Rosa Walker attended the 2009 forum before launching WIBF). Comparable as a large international executive business forum that set the format template WIBF has adapted for an Indigenous audience.

Broad incumbents

• Indigenous Business Australia: Australian government agency supporting Indigenous business ownership and economic development; co-organized WIBF 2025. Comparable as a large, government-backed Indigenous business support organization with broader programmatic scope than WIBF.

Regional players

• American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California: U.S. regional Indigenous business chamber promoting economic development and procurement opportunities. Comparable as a peer chamber/network in the broader Indigenous business ecosystem, though focused on California-based members.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/worldindigenousbusinessforum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/indigenous-leadership-development-institute-inc-b8b31350
• Instagraminstagram.com/worldindigenousbusinessforum
• TikToktiktok.com/@ildii.main
• Xx.com/wibf_ildii

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about World Indigenous Business Forum