NACIA Among 50 Leading Partners in NSF Engines Semifinalist Coalition to Drive Water and Energy Innovation Across the Southwest
The Native American Capital and Investment Alliance (NACIA) is proud to announce its role as one of the 50 core organizations in the Energized Watershed coalition, a University of New Mexico (UNM)-led initiative recently named a semifinalist in the 2025 National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines competition.
Centering Culture, Scaling Impact: How Bernina Gray is Reimagining Capital for Indigenous Entrepreneurs
At NACIA, our Growth Capital Program isn’t just about helping Native entrepreneurs raise money—it’s about building futures rooted in culture, sovereignty, and community. One of our standout participants, Bernina Gray, is doing just that. As the founder of nDigitize and visionary behind the Béeso platform, Bernina is on a mission to create digital and financial tools that empower Indigenous entrepreneurs without compromising cultural identity. Her journey so far offers a powerful reflection of what’s possible when values lead the way.
Proven Wisdom, Modern Markets: Native Philosophies as a Framework for Better Impact Investing
The impact investing field has reached a critical juncture. With the market surpassing $715 billion according to GIIN’s 2020 Annual Survey, the industry faces pressing questions about authentic impact measurement and community benefit maximization. Native knowledge systems offer sophisticated frameworks for reimagining how we approach impact measurement, stakeholder engagement, and long-term value creation.
The Buy Indian Act: Regenerative Economics and Indigenous Enterprise
Dawn breaks over a small manufacturing facility on tribal land. Outside, a gnarled oak defies the windstorm, its roots tethered to ancestral soil. Inside, workers move with purpose, fulfilling a contract that represents more than mere commerce: it embodies sovereignty in action. This is the Buy Indian Act at work, transforming federal procurement into pathways for Indigenous economic self-determination.
Regenerative Abundance: The Native Food Revolution of Bidii Baby Foods
The red earth tells stories here. So does the corn. Amid the sweeping vistas of the Navajo Nation, where ancestral rhythms of agriculture hum beneath the blaze of contemporary life, a quiet revolution is taking shape. In the shadow of Shiprock, New Mexico, Bidii Baby Foods emerges not merely as a business enterprise but as a reclamation of Indigenous food sovereignty, a profound reimagining of economic development that transcends conventional market attitudes.
Proven Wisdom, Modern Markets: How Native Values Are Shaping a New Era of Impact Investing
Featuring our NACIA 2025 Growth Capital Program and how we’re teaching Native American entrepreneurs how to fund and grow their business while staying true to their values. This isn’t just another business course—it’s designed specifically for Native entrepreneurs who want to create positive change in their communities.
NACIA Hosts Inaugural DeepTEK Symposium in Albuquerque
NACIA is proud to announce the inaugural DeepTEK Symposium, taking place from September 11 to 16, 2024. This exclusive, by-invitation event will bring together over 30 Native entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to explore groundbreaking sustainability solutions rooted in Native American traditional ecological knowledge (TEK).
Understanding Term Sheets for Native Entrepreneurs
Decode the complexities of term sheets and investment agreements. Learn key terms and concepts to empower Native entrepreneurs in negotiating fair deals with investors.
Amber Begay
A recent graduate of Denver University with a degree in Finance, Amber leads NACIA’s content and education programs, working with the Board of Directors to create resources for the online platform that meet the needs of a wide range of under-served entrepreneurs seeking to raise capital and scale their ventures.
Grace Benally
Grace supports marketing and outreach. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in mass communications and journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU. Her work has been featured in Indian Country Today, AZ Luminaria, and the Navajo Times. Grace’s expertise in marketing, media and public relations, foster online community building among the NACIA network […]