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About Native American Capital
Native American Capital (NAC) is led by a seasoned management team with expertise in equity and debt finance, structured financing, government relations, business strategy, and economic development. Our focus is enterprise-level financing, consolidated into the ‘Tribal Finance Toolkit,’ encompassing a diverse range of financial strategies and structures.
NAC’s leadership actively engages with organizations like the Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) and the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), where they serve as respected panelists.
Over the years, NAC has successfully secured and deployed substantial capital through public and mixed-market financings in Indian Country. We prioritize trust and ethics, upholding a set of core principles in all client interactions, ensuring moral integrity as trusted consultants. NAC is dedicated to the economic empowerment of Native American communities.
How it Started
History
In 2004, the principals of Support Services International, Inc. (SSI) founded Native American Capital to more directly address the problems faced by the Native American business community. SSI is a Native American-owned consultancy that provides systems development services to federal agencies, Native American Tribes, and other organizations.
The principals of SSI realized that a more direct approach was needed to address the private equity and business challenges faced by Indian Tribes when trying to launch new businesses, form partnerships, and raise capital.
The principals of SSI formed the NAC team with this purpose in mind, seeking to combine existing Native American know-how with expertise in private equity, business management and entrepreneurship, and all forms of raising capital, including Native American venture capital.
NAC began as a merchant bank and private equity firm, but the principals soon realized the need to offer a broader range of consulting services. NAC shifted its purpose to promote Native American business by connecting Tribes with potential partners, helping Tribes launch successful new ventures, and expanding existing businesses.
Tribal Capital
Tribal Finance Toolkit
Discover tailored tribal capital and financing solutions for Indian Country projects
NAC excels in enterprise-level financing, integrating diverse financing strategies and structures.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
NAC actively promotes proactive and responsible nation building throughout Indian country.
In addition to these contributions, NAC principals have pioneered causes and legislation benefiting all Indian country stakeholders, including actively promoting and influencing changes in SEC regulation. NAC has raised capital for Indian Country through federal housing funding, as well as corporate funding through private placement. We have also provided technical support both to tribes and to organizations including the National Institute of Food and Nutrition (NIFN), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).
- Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA)
- National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
- National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI)
- National Institute of Food and Nutrition (NIFN)
- Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Since its inception in 2004, NAC has been recognized in multiple ways for its service to the Native American community.
NAC has received two Native American Technical Assistance Grants from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI). In 2009, NAC was recognized by the Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) with the Deal of the Year Award, and an Honorable Mention from Novogradac in 2023.
Native American Capital and its principals have an active history as advocates for Indian country in the legislative, business, and academic spheres. NAC believes that in order to bring about economic development in Indian country, it is essential to work for change in each of these spheres.
NAC has direct experience winning and distributing New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) to bring technology and light manufacturing jobs into Indian Country. Most recently NAC worked alongside the Lower Brule Community Development Enterprise (LBCDE) to put $18 million to work in Mississippi and Alaska.
NAC is actively committed to achieving results by addressing gaps that hinder progress. Currently NAC is involved in the Department of Commerce sponsored program to identify and close communication and broadband gaps in rural Indian Country.
20 Years in Business
Company Ethics
- 1Honesty
We will conduct ourselves in an honest and open manner, and work diligently to keep our clients up-to-date on all important or relevant information. We will not misrepresent ourselves to clients, and will be candid and open in our findings and reports. We will never deliberately mislead clients by omission or commission.
- 2Respect
We understand the cultural and historical complexities of Native American business communities, and pledge to support Indian self-determination and self-governance and tribal sovereignty, and to respect tribal values.
- 3Confidentiality
We will uphold strict confidentiality in our client relationships, recognizing the importance of preserving the value of our clients’ privacy and knowledge.
- 4Compassion and Understanding
Our commitment to prioritizing client relationships includes being open to new ideas or specific circumstances. We pledge to listen carefully to our clients’ needs, and to create work structures to accommodate these needs.
- 5Responsibility to Society
We believe that in addition to earning a profit, businesses should pursue a triple bottom line strategy, seeking to maximize the following goals:
- People: Create jobs and transfer skills in value-added industries
- Profit: High growth, high margins, and a strong market position
- Planet: Environmental practices, sustainable businesses, congruous with Tribal customs and traditions
- 6Patience
We understand that decision making often involves the development of a consensus, action by tribal council, and stakeholders with different expectations and needs. Such decisions may take time, and we are willing and able to take the time required to reach a desirable outcome.
- 7Accountability
We promise to set and meet reasonable deadlines to the best of our abilities, and to bear responsibility for our portion of final results.
- 8Uncompromised Integrity
We promise to uphold our core principles, even when they come into conflict with other pressures. When situations arise that are not explicitly covered by our core principles, we promise to act in accordance with the moral conduct expected of a trusted consultant.