Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce launches queer entrepreneur development program

The Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce is launching a new initiative aimed at helping LGBTQ entrepreneurs gain essential skills and strategies to build their businesses.

The newly created Emerge initiative is the chamber’s queer entrepreneur development program for LGBTQ entrepreneurs living and working in Manitoba. Thanks to funding from Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Canada, the Chamber will run the program over the span of six months.

“We are thrilled to announce this pilot program, the first of its kind in Manitoba,” said Jenny Steinke-Magnus, executive director of the chamber. “We have been working on plans for the program for a long time, but we have finally been able to make it come to fruition now with funding and increased internal capacity.”

The chamber received $300,000 in funding, the majority of which will go to Emerge.

Emerge participants will go to workshops, networking events, have group discussions, and regular one-on-one meetups with mentors. The program aims to support entrepreneurs in creating long-term successful pathways to success in the business world.

“Although a lot of progress has been made in recent years, queer entrepreneurs still face unique challenges,” said Steinke-Magnus. “One in four 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs have lost out on business opportunities or have experienced discrimination in the past because of their identity. And one in three people report being unable to access mentoring and coaching because of their queer identity.”

Steinke-Magnus said some of the questions LGBTQ entrepreneurs and business owners face is whether they should “reveal their true identities” to their clients and whether it’s safe to travel and how should they dress.

“Nearly one in three entrepreneurs have intentionally hidden the fact that their business is queer owned. Twenty-five percent of entrepreneurs that were surveyed lost out on business opportunities because of their identity or they’ve maybe experienced discrimination in the past because of their identity, all of these maybe barriers to having a successful business. So, we really wanted to offer a space where it would be safe for queer entrepreneurs to come together to build those strategies to succeed in the business world,” she said.

Steinke-Magnus agreed that it is surprising that in 2025 there are still barriers for LGTBQ people in the business world.

“It is 2025 you’d think we’ve come such a long way but there’s still certain segments of the LGBTQ community that may do better than others depending maybe how they present. I think trans people and non-binary people in particular will face specific barriers that cis gendered people may not, so there’s definitely some different dynamics at play there.”

How many businesses that are queer owned in Manitoba is still being compiled by the Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce, but they do have 115 members that are a mix of business owners and allies.

Emerge begins Sept. 24 and the deadline to apply is Sept. 5. Participants from rural Manitoba and more remote areas of the province may take part in video, phone, and/or email check-ins with mentors and will have access to the workshops via livestream and/or video recordings following each event. There is no cost to participate. Entrepreneurs who live 25 kilometres or more from Winnipeg can receive stipends in order to get to the workshops. To apply or become a mentor, visit mb-lgbt.biz/emerge.