25 Native STEM Enterprises to Watch

Look to Tribes And Native Business Owners for Opportunities in Indian Country And Beyond

There’s no doubt that despite challenges like chronic economic disparity and a shortage of capital (both start-up and expansion), the number of Native American–owned businesses is growing across the board. In fact, from 2007 to 2012, the number of Native enterprises grew by a little more than 15 percent, compared with the 2 percent growth rate for mainstream businesses. Besides the obvious implications for tribal self-sufficiency, it’s exciting to see career opportunities appearing in places that were once on the sidelines.

The boom in STEM job growth worldwide, especially in fields like energy and technology, is a big part of the story. But there’s more to it. Tribes and individual Native entrepreneurs themselves are finding innovative ways to use their skills to benefit their communities. More than ever, Native enterprises are creating good jobs in Indian Country.

And the benefits don’t stop with the jobs themselves. The profits successful enterprises generate can be channeled to enhance cultural teachings, foster education, and support many other projects that benefit communities. Native STEM enterprises of all sorts are also contributing to the local economies in intangible ways. As some communities would agree, “homegrown” businesses are offering hope to individuals who once might have seen themselves as left behind, “off the grid.” All these growing opportunities are important to AISES. After all, an important part of the AISES mission centers on fostering the growth of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) opportunities within our communities. And because the number of AISES graduates is expanding right along with the overall success of the organization, that mission is becoming ever more important.

In our annual roster of 25 Native STEM Enterprises to Watch, you’ll see a variety of fields represented. Gaming is the one endeavor that most people would probably associate with the term “tribal business.” And there’s no question that this technology-rich enterprise is important to many communities, grossing nearly $30 billion nationwide. Many tribes can tell a success story about their gaming ventures, whose profits have funded health care facilities, provided scholarships, and opened jobs for thousands inside and outside the community.

But when it comes to STEM opportunities in Indian Country, gambling isn’t the only game in town. Here we’ve included several enterprises that demonstrate potential opportunities in a range of endeavors, like aerospace, green energy, petroleum, forestry services, construction, healthcare, water and wildlife management, and gaming-funded charitable foundations. In so many places, new businesses are being launched in fields that are filling needs and solving problems in our communities and beyond.

Today’s AISES student members can look to a future that offers unprecedented career choices that directly benefit our communities. It continues to be the goal of AISES to help keep these choices expanding — and help prepare the rising generations of talented Native STEM students to make the most of these opportunities.

The 25 to Watch

This roster of 25 Native STEM Enterprises is not intended to be a definitive list. Instead, it is meant to be representative of the variety of organizations large and small that are making Indian Country an increasingly interesting place to be for STEM professionals. Enterprises on the list, ordered alphabetically, were chosen based on broad criteria, such as workforce and business development, philanthropy, support of education, STEM knowledge, and overall corporate values. In addition, we are taking a closer look at some representative organizations among the 25 and people behind them who are helping to build the future for Indigenous STEM professionals.