Immigrant Entrepreneurship

For some newcomers in Canada, entrepreneurship has a lot of potential as an alternative career option. This section contains links to resources that can help you get started on your entrepreneurial journey.

Guides and resources:

• Canada Business Ontario
  This website guides you through the basic requirements for starting a business in Ontario. You can also find resources and organizations that offer services and programs for newcomers to Canada.
• Settlement.org
  Settlement.org contains articles, guides and resources to help you start a business in Canada.
• MaRS Discovery District
  MaRS helps entrepreneurs launch and grow their startup ventures. They offer resources, financial services, facilities and tips from established entrepreneurs to help you start and grow your business.
• Job Skills
  View this self-employment pathway to explore the idea of setting up a small business in Canada.
• Hire Immigrants
  Resources for Newcomer Entrepreneurs in the GTA.

Programs and Support Services

• Entrepreneurship Connections
  Entrepreneurship Connections helps newcomers who plan to start a business in Canada. This program will assist you with setting up a successful small business in the Canadian market.
• New Canadians’ Immigrant Café
  The Immigrant Café is a community of immigrant entrepreneurs at all levels of experience and expertise. It is a great way for newcomers to make new business connections and to get the know-how and inspiration to venture out on their own.
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
  BDC offers loans and services exclusively for businesses. You can also find articles and resources on how to start or grow your business.
• Connect Legal: Legal advice for immigrants
  Connect Legal helps immigrants succeed by providing commercial legal education and assistance to immigrant entrepreneurs.
• Learning Enrichment Foundation’s Emerging Entrepreneurs program
  This program supports immigrants looking to start a business, or working to grow their small home-based business. The focus is on connecting entrepreneurs with general business information and on learning key business language, with a focus on transferrable skills.’
• Futurpreneur Canada
  Futurpreneur offers free business planning resources, financing and mentoring for entrepreneurs (18-39 years), with tailored support for newcomers to Canada.

On March 22, TRIEC, through its Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs) program, organized an information and networking event, hosted by MaRS Discovery District, to support immigrants seeking to become entrepreneurs. See the video below for highlights from the event. (Courtesy: New Canadians TV)