Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise

The HUB supports entrepreneurship, social enterprise development, and local economic resilience by offering programs, resources, and collaborative opportunities. Below is an overview of our past work and the foundations that continue to guide our approach.

Lillooet Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (LEAP)

The Lillooet Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (LEAP) was a pilot program focused on testing and launching new businesses and social enterprises in the Lillooet area. The program offered a flexible curriculum and 1 on 1 coaching that tailored to the specific needs of each participant and the level of business skills they had.

Core Pillars of LEAP:
  • Local Business & Corporations:Supporting new and existing small businesses.
  • Social Enterprise in the Nonprofit Sector:Helping community groups build sustainable revenue models.
  • Youth Entrepreneur Education:Encouraging young people to explore entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Lillooet Chamber of Commerce, Lillooet Community Connect Innovation HUB, and Community Futures Sun Country are partnering on this community economic development initiative, funded as part of the Northern Development Initiative through the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.

Social Enterprise Development

The HUB continues to support social enterprise ideation development. Social enterprises combine business tools with community impact and generate revenue while addressing local needs.

Our social enterprise development work includes:
  • Education on business models and social innovation
  • Support for nonprofits exploring earned revenue
  • Connections to social enterprise resources and coaching

This work helps organizations build long-term sustainability while strengthening community impact.

Learning Resources

Many resources were developed during this initiative. Click on the links below: