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
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
For further information:
Alexis Pavlich
Minister's Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Kayleigh Platz
Manager, Community Relations
Communitech
226-929-5829
kayleigh.platz@communitech.ca