Beyond Barriers - Understanding Queer & Trans Entrepreneurship in Edmonton
The Beyond Barriers project is a partnership between Action Lab and the Alberta 2SLGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce that explores the experiences of Queer and trans entrepreneurs in Edmonton.
Entrepreneurship plays an important role in creating economic opportunities and strengthening communities, yet many Queer and trans entrepreneurs continue to encounter barriers that shape how they start, sustain, and grow their businesses. This project seeks to better understand those experiences while identifying opportunities to strengthen Edmonton's entrepreneurial ecosystem through community-informed research and participatory engagement.
Action Lab designed and facilitated a series of listening sessions with Queer and trans entrepreneurs, developed a primer that shares early insights from those conversations, and created a participatory engagement process to guide future phases of the project. This work will continue through journey mapping workshops and the development of additional resources that support a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Project Resources
Primer Document
The project primer introduces the Beyond Barriers initiative, shares early insights from community listening sessions, and highlights key themes related to the opportunities, barriers, and experiences shaping Queer and trans entrepreneurship in Edmonton.
What's Next
The Beyond Barriers project is ongoing. Future phases will build on the insights gathered through the listening sessions by bringing together entrepreneurs, community organizations, and ecosystem partners to explore entrepreneurial journeys, identify opportunities for change, and co-create practical resources that strengthen support for Queer and trans entrepreneurs.
