The 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
About the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub:
The 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (Knowledge Hub) is a national research network dedicated to generating data and consolidating resources, best practices, and tools to benefit 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. The goal of the Knowledge Hub is to provide public access to these resources, supports, and information, regarding the 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurial landscape in Canada, through an accessible online platform.
As an underdeveloped field of research, 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and businesses lack equitable access to support systems, business opportunities, and resourceful information. By conducting nation-wide qualitative and quantitative research in Canada, the Knowledge Hub will identify these research gaps and seek to support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and businesses in overcoming the challenges and systemic barriers they encounter.

Announcing the Knowledge Hub funding recipient:
We are thrilled to announce that the Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity, in partnership with eHUB Entrepreneurship Centre, at the University of Alberta, has been selected as the funding recipient for the Knowledge Hub.
University of Saskachewan
Project Involvement: The University of Saskatchewan will develop the REKH evaluation project, which…
Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
Project Involvement: The Women’s Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), the Black Entrepreneurship…
Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
Project Involvement: The Women’s Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), the Black Entrepreneurship…
MacEwan University
Project Involvement: MacEwan University, led by Dr. Leanne Hedberg, is contributing to a national qu…
Gender and the Economy (Rotman)
Project Involvement: Over the two-year project period, one research bulletin will be produced annual…
Brock University
Project Involvement: The Own It Documentary & Original Research Project will spotlight the voice…
University of New Brunswick
Project Involvement: The Own It Documentary & Original Research Project will spotlight the voic…
University of Alberta – Fyrefly Institute
About the organization: The Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity is a non-profit organ…
The 519
About the organization: The 519 is committed to the health, happiness and full participation of th…
Queer Yukon
About the organization: Queer Yukon Society supports, promotes, and organizes events for the 2SLGB…
Quadrangle
About the organization: A quadrangle is a shared space that is enclosed in the centre of a group o…
Edmonton 2 Spirit Society
About the organization: The Edmonton 2 Spirit Society (E2S) is a non-profit organization dedicated…
Dream Legacy Foundation
About the organization: Dream Legacy Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to provide …
Map Legend
- Community Partner
- Academic Partner
University of Saskachewan
Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
MacEwan University
Gender and the Economy (Rotman)
Brock University
University of New Brunswick
University of Alberta – Fyrefly Institute
The 519
Queer Yukon
Quadrangle
Edmonton 2 Spirit Society
Dream Legacy Foundation
Partners: The Fyrefly Institute will be working alongside 7 research partners to develop the Knowledge Hub, as well as a host of other collaborators. The consortium’s partners include:
- MacEwan University – AB
- Edmonton 2 Spirit Society – AB
- GATE (Rotman) – ON
- Queer Yukon Society – YT
- University of New Brunswick – NB
- Research Impact Canada – ON
- The 519 – ON

The 2SLGBTQI+ Knowledge Hub will contribute to the following objectives:
- Develop and maintain an ecosystem database and map that inventories key stakeholders, programs, and types of business support available to 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs across Canada, in both French and English.
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative research and analysis to generate reports and publications on 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurship, both academic and non-academic.
- Strengthen and expand the network of stakeholders, including educational institutions, and provide leadership on how 2SLGBTQI+ data disaggregation and generation can be supported by other organizations across Canada. This includes activities related to knowledge mobilization, ensuring that research findings and best practices are effectively shared and utilized across the network.
A press event was held on August 29, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, to announce the Fyrefly Institute as the Funding Recipient of the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program. To read more about the recent announcement, you can access the press release here in English and here in French.

Research Advisory Committee:
Applications for the Knowledge Hub were reviewed by an external selection committee with a wealth of expertise in research and entrepreneurship.
We would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their participation on the Selection Committee:
- Isaac Cook
- Cornel Grey
- Kojo B. Otoo
- Jade Pichette
- Stephanie Sinclair

Contact
If you have any questions or issues, our Grant Manager is here for you:
Abdi Hassan (he/him), Grant Manager Research
abdi@cglcc.ca
(416) 761-5151 – ext. 104

For media inquiries, please contact:
Reggie Lemaire Costa (she/her), Marketing Coordinator
reggie-lemaire.costa@cglcc.ca
(416) 761-5151 – ext. 124

