Entrepreneurship

Connections®

ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONNECTIONS® ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONNECTIONS®

PRE-ARRIVAL (ECP)
This program is designed for newcomers
in Canada who have owned or operated a
This program supports newcomers approved
business in their home country, and/or are
to move to Canada. Participants explore and
interested in transferring their knowledge
prepare for entrepreneurship prior to arriving in
and experience to self-employment in the
Canada by accessing online learning, customized
Canadian market. This innovative and
support, and connections with business experts
informative program provides customized
and entrepreneurship supports in their landing
business training and supports, including
community. Through the program, participants can
individual coaching to develop a business
make an informed decision about, and take first
plan, access to legal and financial information,
steps to successfully starting a business in Canada.
and mentoring with established mentors.

In 2022-2023 the ECP programs will serve: Entrepreneurship Training and 1:1 Support:

450 225 90 6 90
LEVEL 1: LEVEL 2: LEVEL 3: COHORTS PARTICIPANTS
Introduction to Personalized Post-Arrival
Entrepreneurship Start-up Planning Targeted
& Preparation Referrals

PROGRAM RESULTS

10+ OPEN 424 1,072

YEARS OF COLLABORATION BUSINESSES STARTED ENTREPRENEURS SUPPORTED
(AS OF MARCH 2021) THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP
CONNECTIONS® PROGRAM

1
820 2
418 3 251
ENTREPRENEURS SUPPORTED ENTREPRENEURS SUPPORTED ENTREPRENEURS SUPPORTED
THROUGH ECP PROGRAM THROUGH ECP PROGRAM THROUGH ECP PROGRAM
LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3
THE PROGRAM MODEL
The programs are funded by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Entrepreneurship
Connections® is delivered in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Entrepreneurship Connections® & Entrepreneurship Connections® Pre-Arrival streams offer:

• Orientation to entrepreneurship in Canada
• Self-employment readiness assessments
• Personalized action plan for those taking next steps to start up
• Training in essential topics for business start-up in Canada
• Customized connections to entrepreneurship supports in local eco-system, including financing
• Building professional networks
• Business-focussed events and webinars

Entrepreneurship Connections® Pre-Arrival

Program delivered through:

• Self-directed online learning modules:

Getting Started in Business, Legal Aspects of Starting a Business, Business Plans, Financial Aspects
of Starting a Business, Marketing Your Business, Communications For Your Small Business, Taxation,
Opportunities in Franchising
• Customized one-to-one coaching and business support
• Digital Marketing

Entrepreneurship Connections®
Program delivered through:
• Blended service delivery – online and in-person
• Training on essential business topics:
Market Research for Your Business Plan, Business Models and Value Proposition, How To Do Market
Research, Legal Aspects to Launching a Business, Canadian Business Culture and Communication,
Cash Flow and Sales Forecast, Digital Marketing for Start Up Businesses, Building a One Year Marketing
Plan, Financing Your Start Up, Business Resources for Small Business, Your Steps to Successful Sales,
Building Your Cash Flow, Writing Your Business Plan, Import and Export, Basic Record Keeping and
Bookkeeping for Small Business
• Customized one-to-one coaching to develop a business plan and business pitch
• Building professional networks – individual and group mentoring
• Follow up support up to one year, including alumni events and webinars

PROGRAM PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

Accenture Invest Ottawa
ACCESS Community Capital Fund MAGMA - Moncton
Alterna Saving MaRS
Business Development Bank of Canada Ottawa Community Loan Fund (OCLF)
EDC Ottawa Public Library
Enterprise Toronto Pro Bono Law Ontario
Futurpreneur Canada S.U.C.C.E.S.S. - Vancouver
Great Moncton Local Immigration Partnership Toronto Public Library (Reference Library)
Hamilton Public Library (Central Library) World Skills Employment Centre - Ottawa
HSBC 3Plus Economic Development Corporation - Moncton
Immigrants Working Centre - Hamilton
BUSINESSES STARTED
Program participants have started businesses in the following sectors:

Arts and Entertainment Services Import/Export

Automotive Construction and Contracting Media and Communications
Business and Professional Health and Medicine

SUCCESS STORIES

Entrepreneurship Connections® Pre-Arrival:

Meet Anh Nguyen

Anh Nguyen joined the Entrepreneurship Connections® Pre-Arrival program

to gain a better understanding of the Canadian market. She was interested
in sourcing affordable materials and utilizing her vast network of Vietnamese
suppliers. Through the program, Anh learned the framework for setting up
a business from market research, risk evaluation as well as how to approach
customers. The program provided a great virtual space to meet other
professionals with start-up goals.

I am very thankful for the support I received from the ECP program.
I look forward to starting my business sourcing and importing woven
Anh Nguyen and wooden furniture, baskets and ceramics from Vietnam.
Founder, Salt Partners

Entrepreneurship Connections®:
Meet Maria Fernanda Lossada
Maria first joined ACCES in the Youth Job Connection program and from
there, continued her learning in the Entrepreneurship Connections®
program. She credits the program with helping her to create a viable
business plan, how to present her business plan and how to execute on
entrepreneurial ideas. Now, Maria is the Founder and Director of Mussanda,
a successful, international online fashion accessories business that is always
on trend.

Maria values the detailed and specific advice she received as a budding
entrepreneur at ACCES.

In my case, taxes and finance were my weakness and the Maria Fernanda Lossada
Founder and Director Mussanda
Entrepreneurship program at ACCES gave me quality tools and
resources to solve those particular issues. When you create your own
business, there is a strong sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
It is not easy, and persistence is important.

accesemployment.ca