A Year of Growth for Teqare & Darion Ducharme: A Launching Success Story

When Darion Ducharme joined the panel at last year’s Launching Success Luncheon, he expected to share his journey as a young Indigenous entrepreneur. What he didn’t expect was how impactful the experience would become for both his business and the communities he serves. 

One of the most memorable parts of the event, Ducharme recalls, was the opportunity to sit alongside other Indigenous entrepreneurs who were each building meaningful businesses in their own communities. The panel highlighted not only individual stories of entrepreneurship, but also the growing strength of the Indigenous business community. 

A Room Full of Possibility

Being in a room filled with business leaders, allies, and decision-makers who are committed to supporting Indigenous economic development made the experience particularly powerful. “Those conversations, both on and off the stage, really showed how strong and supportive our Indigenous business community is becoming,” he says. 

The connections made during the luncheon quickly translated into tangible opportunities. At the conclusion of his talk, Ducharme shared a call to action about the work his company, Teqare, is doing to promote digital literacy and cyber safety in Indigenous communities. That message resonated with attendees and sparked several follow-up conversations. 

From Conversation to Contract

One of those connections eventually turned into a contract that has enabled the Teqare team to expand their reach significantly. Over the past year, they have travelled to communities across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario to deliver workshops that focus on digital literacy, cyber safety, and financial empowerment. 

The impact has been substantial. Between May 29, 2025, and March 10, 2026, the Teqare team visited 46 First Nations communities, working with youth, adults, and elders to build confidence with technology and help participants better protect themselves online. 

One Year, A Growing Impact

“It’s been incredibly meaningful to see people gain confidence with technology and understand how to keep themselves safe in the digital world,” Ducharme says. 

The past year has also brought national recognition. Ducharme was named Young Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, and Teqare has been featured in national media outlets and publications. 

Despite these achievements, Ducharme emphasizes that the most important milestone is the growing number of communities they are able to reach and support  -- continuing a mission that began with sharing a story on stage just one year ago.