Further Empowering Native American Prosperity in Business and Investment
At NACIA, we are dedicated to uplifting Native American communities by supporting Native founders in successfully accessing equity investment, including venture capital, and alternative debt funding. The Alliance focuses on increasing the representation of Native leaders on corporate boards and mentoring emerging Native capital managers and investment advisors. NACIA aims to facilitate collaborations between capital investors and alternative debt lenders to tailor financial products for Indian Country.
Unveiling NACIA: A Name Symbolizing Unity, Strength, and New Beginnings in Native American Investment
The Alliance’s acronym, pronounced as “nah-see-ah,” unifies Capital and Investment as allies (not just associates) in a common cause. The focus on “alliance” further signals the organization’s acknowledgment of, and respect for, Native American tribes – many of which are independent sovereign nations. The acronym is a conjugation of the Spanish word “nacer” which means “to be born,” but also contains “CIA,” a naming convention for a U.S. intelligence agency, both standing in stark counterbalance. For one acronym to convey its meaning with strength and respect, as well as allusions to two other dramatically different meanings in seeming counter-balance, is symbolic of various energies coming together in balance for the common purpose of advancing Native people.
Our mission transcends the mere provision of capital — it’s about nurturing a system that understands and respects the unique cultural and business dynamics of Indian Country. We are empowering our people to be architects of their own economic destiny.
NACIA will also provide a robust platform for equity investors, investment advisors, and alternative lenders to discover Native-founded investment opportunities and contribute to a diverse and inclusive investment landscape. It aligns stakeholders around impact investment principles and facilitates collaboration on issues affecting Native founders, investors, lenders, and board members.
Our Mission
In the landscape of modern commerce, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are heralded as keystones of progressive investment strategies with equity investors, investment advisors, and alternative lenders advocating for a broader spectrum of voices and perspectives in their portfolios.
However, this approach frequently overlooks Native American communities, whose access to such opportunities remains disproportionately limited. Despite the widespread acclaim for DEI efforts, the reality for many Native people is a persistent absence from the conversation—a gap that fails to capture the rich potential of Native contributions to the business sphere.
