Uber Canada Backs Indigenous Procurement Marketplace

Ridesharing platform Uber Canada has given its support to the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) for the release of a redesigned Indigenous Procurement Marketplace.

The marketplace connects Certified Indigenous Businesses (CIBs) with corporations and organisations dedicated to Indigenous procurement.

Laura Miller, Head of Public Policy and Communications at Uber Canada, says: “Our mission is to create opportunity through movement and that includes helping businesses connect, grow and unlock new economic opportunities,”

“We’re proud to support CCIB’s Indigenous Procurement Marketplace and the important work it does to help Indigenous entrepreneurs grow and succeed.”

How Indigenous Procurement works

Indigenous Procurement is the practice of purchasing goods, services and other items from indigenous-owned businesses and organisations. 

With the Indigenous Procurement Marketplace, it is available to CCIB members at no cost and combines over 1,700 CIBs and 170 corporate buyers for connections to vendors. The marketplace allows a straightforward path for indigenous businesses to engage with diverse, sustainable supply chains.

Natalie Adams, CCIB’s Director of Supply Change, adds: “We approached the update of the Indigenous Procurement Marketplace with the intention of making it easier for Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses to find each other and partner for procurement opportunities,

“When suppliers and buyers can connect without barriers, opportunities open up more naturally and relationships form in a way that supports lasting growth.”

New features of the marketplace

The enhanced marketplace has new features which includes:

• Greater visibility for CIBs within a dedicated environment.
• Easier pathways for CIBs to connect with buyers. 
• Consolidated view of the latest procurement and bidding opportunities across corporate Canada and government.

As for buyers, which are referred to as champions and advocates in the marketplace, new search tools allow them to filter suppliers by product or service type, geographic location or NAICS code. Buyers can also share procurement opportunities directly to the marketplace. 

CCIB invites Indigenous businesses, corporate members and procurement teams to utilise the updated Indigenous Procurement Marketplace to seek out procurement opportunities across Canada.