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Entrepreneurship Connections Programs

Welcome to the resource hub for newcomer entrepreneurs looking to start their business in Canada.

Zhi (George) Tan & Hong (Veronica) Lan

"Thanks to ACCES for providing the Entrepreneurship Connections program to new comers like us. This program is like a boot camp to learn the knowledge of business professionally, and to build faith of entrepreneurship. We gained confidence from the program and gained friendship from the program. It is a wonderful experience and it will be a valuable fortune in our business journey."

Company: INNOVANS

Cesar Vargas

"Doing the Entrepreneurship Connections program at ACCES, was such a great experience to me. The most important thing about the program was to realize that you can do whatever you want in Canada, no matter your language or where you came from. This country gives you the opportunity to grow personal and professionally. You just have to work hard, but entrepreneurs know very well what that means."

Company: The Caricatures

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About the Programs

New to Canada and thinking about starting your own business? ACCES Employment offers two programs to help newcomer entrepreneurs successfully launch their businesses.

Entrepreneurship Connections®

Entrepreneurship Connections is a free, intensive training program offered in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Moncton, with sessions in both English and Arabic. The program includes in-class training for up to 4 weeks, plus one year of mentorship and networking opportunities.

In this program, learn how to:

  • build a business plan
  • prepare for Canadian business culture and communication
  • navigate the Canadian legal system and taxation regulations
  • conduct market research
  • devise a market strategy

You will also receive one-on-one support from certified business coaches.

Entrepreneurship Connections® Pre-Arrival

Entrepreneurship Connections® Pre-Arrival (ECP) is a free program that helps you explore how you could use your experience and education to start your own business in Canada so you can decide if starting a business is the right decision for you. This program will provide you with multiple ways to explore entrepreneurship in Canada, including making connections with business experts and other potential entrepreneurs.

This program prepares internationally-trained professionals for the Canadian business market through 8 weeks of pre-arrival support, including:

  • self-employment readiness assessments
  • learning modules and webinars
  • online networking events
  • one-on-one support
  • targeted referrals to post-arrival resources 

If you are interested in applying for Entrepreneurship Connections Pre-Arrival programs, please fill out our Pre-Arrival Screening & Intake Questionnaire. A staff member from ACCES will contact you once we have reviewed your completed responses and submitted all required documents.  

For general inquiries about the Entrepreneurship Connections® Pre-Arrival (ECP) program, please click here to email a member of the team to learn more about registering for these pre-arrival programs.

Calendar

Toronto Cohorts

If you are interested in joining one of our Toronto cohorts, please register for one of the information sessions to learn more about the program and speak with our Entrepreneurship Connections team.

July 6 – July 31, 2020

Toronto Information Sessions

The information sessions for the Entrepreneurship Connections® program will be conducted through webinars, please refer to Online Information Sessions for upcoming dates.

June 3, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM REGISTER NOW

June 10, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM REGISTER NOW

June 17, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM REGISTER NOW

June 24, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM REGISTER NOW

*Please note, all info sessions will be held virtually until further notice.

Entrepreneurship Pre-Arrival Sessions

Upcoming sessions will be added shortly.

Other ACCES Locations

The following information sessions for the Entrepreneurship Connections program will be held at various ACCES Employment locations across the GTA. Please note the location of the information session before registering.

Online Information Sessions

The following information sessions for the Entrepreneurship Connections program will be offered via webinar. Please note you will need a computer to access these information sessions.

June 3, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM REGISTER NOW

June 10, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM REGISTER NOW

June 17, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM REGISTER NOW

June 24, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM REGISTER NOW

National Program Delivery

ACCES Employment delivers the Entrepreneurship Connections program nationally. Below you will find the cities where our national program is offered. If you are interested in participating in one of these cohorts, please attend one of the information sessions to learn more and to register.

Resources for Starting Your Own Business

Volunteer with this Program

Become a Mentor

Become a Mentor

Become an ACCES mentor! Participate as a one-time mentor through Speed Mentoring or as a long-term mentor and provide one-on-one mentorship to a newcomer business owner.
Become a Panelist

Become a Panelist

Provide your expert advice and feedback during our business pitch presentations by new entrepreneurs.
Become a Guest Speaker

Become a Guest Speaker

Provide your expert advice and feedback during our business pitch presentations by new entrepreneurs.

FAQ

How do I join this program?

Your first step is to attend an information session with the program team. Please refer to the workshop calendar to determine the next available session and call to register. During the information session you will learn more about the program and be given instructions on how to apply.

Who is eligible for this program?

To participate in this program you must meet some of the following eligibility criteria:
  • Permanent Resident
  • Protected Person
  • Live-in caregivers with a temporary work permit
  • Interest in starting your own business
Note: If you do not meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level, you may benefit from our program, Language for Workplace Connections. Most participants increase their CLB by 2-3 points by the end of the program.

Is there a program fee?

No. The Entrepreneurship ConnectionsTM program is offered free-of-charge. The program is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).

Do you provide small business loans or financing?

The Entrepreneurship ConnectionsTM program does not provide loans or financing. However, our expert trainers will equip you with knowledge and resources to access available funding for your business. ACCES Employment does not provide business start-up financing, income or childcare support to program participants.

Is this a full-time program? Can it be completed on a part-time basis?

The Entrepreneurship ConnectionsTM Program is a four-week, part-time intensive training program. To ensure your success in the program full attendance and completion of all course work is highly recommended.

Do I need a specific business idea to join the program?

The Entrepreneurship ConnectionsTM Program currently accepts individuals with viable business ideas to participate in the program. However, if you are considering entrepreneurship as a career option, our team would be happy to meet with you to discuss your options including providing you with valuable community resources to lead you in the right direction.

Which ACCES locations offer this program?

Entrepreneurship ConnectionsTM is offered at the following site:
  • Toronto
Entrepreneurship MentoringEntrepreneurship Mentoring