Attracting entrepreneurs through Canada's Start-up Visa - Minister Alexander meets with local business leaders in Kitchener-Waterloo

KITCHENER, ON, Aug. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander, met with Kitchener-Waterloo-based business incubator Communitech and other business leaders to discuss the Start-up Visa and its potential for attracting entrepreneurs to Canada who have the vision and ability to build innovative companies that can create jobs and long-term prosperity.

The roundtable aimed to build on the momentum of Alexander's visit to GrowLab Ventures in Vancouver last month, where he welcomed the first two successful applicants under Canada's Start-up Visa Program. Alexander discussed the importance of the program with a number of local business leaders and encouraged organizations to continue their efforts in identifying exciting start-up opportunities, as well as the dynamic entrepreneurs behind them, with the help of the Start-up Visa.

Launched last year, the Start-up Visa Program brings together Canadian venture capital funds, angel investor groups and business incubators with entrepreneurs from abroad.

The Start-up Visa Program is an important part of the government's plan to build a fast and flexible economic immigration system, with a primary focus on meeting the new and emerging needs of the Canadian economy.

Quick facts

• The Start-up Visa Program, the first of its kind in the world, links experienced Canadian private sector firms with innovative foreign entrepreneurs who want to launch their start-up companies in Canada.
• In July, the first successful applicants were welcomed to Canada after gaining the support of GrowLab Ventures of Vancouver.
• In January 2015, CIC will launch a new electronic application management system called Express Entry, which will offer a faster and more effective way to welcome economic immigrants to Canada than ever before.

Quotes

"Our government is focused on long-term prosperity and economic growth for all Canadians. The Start-up Visa Program is helping to attract innovative entrepreneurs to Canada who can help create jobs and meet the needs of Canada's labour market. We will continue to work with business leaders who can support creative business ideas and help Canada compete on a global scale."

Chris Alexander, Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister

"We choose the best and we want them to start, grow and succeed here in Waterloo Region. The Start-up Visa Program helps us attract and keep the best entrepreneurs from anywhere on the globe."

Doug Cooper, Managing Director, Communitech HYPERDRIVE Seed Accelerator

Related products

News Release - Promoting jobs and economic growth through Canada's Start-up Visa

News Release - Attracting the world's best and brightest to Canada

News Release - Canada open for business to start-up entrepreneurs

Associated links

List of designated organizations participating in the Start-up Visa Program

Communitech website

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/CitImmCanada

Photos of Minister Alexander available at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/index.asp

Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada's economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.

SOURCE: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Alexis Pavlich
Minister's Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
[email protected]

Kayleigh Platz
Manager, Community Relations
Communitech
226-929-5829
[email protected]