News Summary

Shopify has quietly terminated its Build Native program, which was designed to support Indigenous-led companies in expanding their e-commerce presence. The program was launched in June 2020 and provided educational resources and financial incentives to Indigenous entrepreneurs. This development follows the departure of co-founder and program lead Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì and Head of Equitable Commerce Brandon Davenport from Shopify. The Build Native program was part of Shopify’s broader efforts in equitable commerce, which also included other initiatives like Build Black. However, many of these programs have been rolled back as part of a broader shift away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments within the tech industry. This trend is seen amidst larger political movements and changes in corporate strategies, with Shopify’s decision coinciding with these shifts. The termination of the program has raised concerns about Shopify’s commitment to supporting racialized entrepreneurs.