In celebration of Black History Month, Black Engineers of Canada (BEC) and OBSIDI® present the first installment of the IDEA to Execution webinar series - The Journey to Your First Customer, designed to equip Black engineers and tech professionals with the tools to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. This session, hosted on February 20 from 6:00-8:00pm, will explore customer discovery, value proposition refinement, and securing that critical first customer—essential steps for any entrepreneur. Featuring insights from accomplished Black entrepreneurs, the discussion will provide practical strategies for overcoming obstacles, building credibility, and leveraging networks for success.

This webinar is the first in a four-part series, with upcoming sessions covering:

  • Building an MVP – Turning your idea into a tangible product
  • Growing Your Startup with Limited Resources – Scaling smartly with what you have
  • Securing Resources to Fuel Your Vision – Unlocking funding, mentorship, and strategic partnerships

“This event is the first in our IDEA to Execution series, created to address a key challenge in our community—turning ideas into viable businesses,” says Dolapo Olaniawo, Team Lead, BEC Entrepreneurship Sub-committee. “Too often, Black entrepreneurs face systemic barriers in funding, mentorship, and access to opportunities. By providing a platform for real, tactical conversations led by those who’ve navigated these challenges, we’re bridging the gap between ambition and execution,” he says. “Our goal is to equip Black founders with the knowledge, resources, and connections they need to succeed—starting with the crucial step of securing their first customer.”

Join the webinar to gain actionable insights, connect with a like-minded community, and take the first step toward building a successful business. For any questions or more information, feel free to reach out to Black Engineers of Canada at hello@blackengineers.ca.

Did you know?

In a 2023 report, Statistics Canada reported that, as of 2018, 2.1% of all business owners in Canada were Black.