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American Indian, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian Project

Supporting Economic Growth Across Native Communities

The American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (AIANNH) Project is a national initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the MBDA is dedicated to advancing the inclusion and growth of minority-owned businesses through strategic support, public-private partnerships, and innovative development programs.

Program Overview

The AIANNH Project is designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing Native-owned businesses. Through this initiative, the MBDA supports projects that promote entrepreneurial growth, increase access to capital, and provide critical business services to Native enterprises. These efforts are not duplicative of other MBDA programs, but rather fill existing gaps through targeted outreach, education, and innovation.

Our Objectives

The core focus of the AIANNH Project is to foster job creation, job retention, and sustainable economic impact in Tribal communities. Participating centers—like NABEDC—offer direct services and strategic support in key areas, including:

  • Entrepreneurial training and business development
  • Capital access and funding readiness
  • Federal procurement and contracting assistance
  • Joint ventures and strategic partnerships
  • Infrastructure planning and broadband development
  • Networking, deal sourcing, and relationship building
  • Education and technical assistance for tribal entities

Strategic Priorities

The MBDA has identified three strategic initiatives that guide the work of the AIANNH Project:

  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    Supporting Native-owned businesses through training, access to capital, incubators, accelerators, and federal program navigation.
  • Strategic Planning
    Fostering long-term business and economic development through tailored planning services and guidance for Native entrepreneurs and Tribal organizations.
  • Transformative Projects
    Driving large-scale impact through support for infrastructure-focused public-private partnerships, broadband access projects, and other high-impact initiatives.

A National Commitment

Through the AIANNH Project, NABEDC plays a vital role in delivering the MBDA’s mission to Native communities. By empowering entrepreneurs, strengthening Tribal enterprises, and connecting businesses to the resources they need to thrive, we are helping to shape a more inclusive and prosperous future for generations to come.