Frequently Asked Questions

Founded in 1969, The National Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to assisting tribes, Indigenous entrepreneurs, and tribally owned enterprises in reaching their business goals. We do this in multiple ways, including regular programming through our APEX Accelerator, Native Edge Institutes, Arizona MBDA Export Center, and the newly formed Native Edge Tourism Training and Technical Assistance Center. We also host the annual Reservation Economic Summit – the largest gathering focused on the Indigenous economy in the world. In addition, we prioritize telling Indian Country’s story through mediums such as our annual NC Magazine and biweekly Native Edge Podcast.

We are headquartered in Mesa, Arizona and have eight additional offices located across the United States. We also travel frequently across the country – and sometimes the world – to advocate for Native businesses. Check out our events page to learn where we’ll be in a community near you.

We provide numerous services, both to clients and those who participate in our events. These include:

• General business training and consulting
• Business Matchmaking and Networking Events
• Advocacy at the federal level related to economic development
• Determining Suitability for Contracting
• Securing Necessary Registrations
• SDB, 8(a), HUBzone and other Certifications
• Identifying Bid Opportunities
• Marketing & Networking
• Export Consulting, Plan Development, Financing and Insurance, and Compliance -Market and Industry Reports
• Facilitating participation in trade missions

Our organization takes our privacy policy seriously and takes steps to protect and ensure the safety of our supporters. We do not sell or otherwise disclose information about our volunteers or supporters outside of our immediate organization. This policy has no exceptions. We do not sell or exchange your information with any other organizations, public, private or nonprofit. For more detailed information visit our Privacy Policy page.

While some of our programs have specific eligibility requirements, many of our events and services are open to all. Please contact us to better understand how we can help you or your business.

Our team is actively engaged in policy matters in Washington, DC, particularly those that affect Native-owned businesses and tribal economic development. In 2023, we led the effort among a dozen Native American organizations to develop Policy Priorities that outlined how both Congress and the Administration can boost Native and tribally owned businesses. We advocate for specific policies and legislation, including the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, and have testified on legislation before Congressional committees.

We are always on the lookout for top talent. Check out our careers page to see if there are any current openings.

If you have any questions, please call 888-962-2433 or email info@nciaed.org. You can also check out our APEX Accelerator, Arizona MBDA Export Center, and Native Edge Tourism and Technical Assistance Center pages to contact members of those teams.