Building a National Centre of Excellence for Immigrant Founders
Founded in March 2023, Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada (IEC) serves as a dedicated national hub committed to empowering immigrant and newcomer entrepreneurs across the country. IEC fosters diversity, innovation, and economic resilience by providing tailored resources, community-building, and advocacy designed to amplify the voices and impact of immigrant-led businesses.
Mission: Recognizing & Investing in Immigrant Entrepreneurs
IEC’s mission is rooted in the belief that immigrant entrepreneurs are key drivers of innovation, growth, and inclusive prosperity. They envision a Canada where these entrepreneurs are recognized, invested in, and empowered to shape resilient communities and strengthen the nation’s economy.
Vision: Inclusive Economic Development Through Tailored Supports
IEC brings this mission to life through practical programs and partnerships. Their offerings include:
-
Retail Incubator Program — Designed for early-stage product startups, this program accelerates launch and development.
-
Monthly IEC MeetUps — Informal, inclusive events for networking, peer learning, mentorship, and visibility within the ecosystem.
Through these initiatives, IEC creates spaces where immigrant entrepreneurs can launch, scale, and thrive.
Growing Impact in Just Two Years
In under two years, IEC has supported over 2,200 immigrant entrepreneurs. Their efforts have paved the way for dozens of new ventures, helping establish a strong foundation of entrepreneurship among newcomers. This achievement is a powerful testament to IEC’s role as a catalyst for scalable, inclusive economic impact across Canada.
Why IEC Matters — In the Broader National Context
Immigrant entrepreneurs are a driving force in Canada’s economy:
-
They launch 1 in every 4 new businesses.
-
They are twice as likely to start businesses compared to non-immigrants.
-
Their ventures generate more net jobs per business than those started by Canadian-born founders.
As projections show, by 2034, up to 50% of entrepreneurs in provinces like Ontario could be immigrants—bolstering Canada’s economy and its global competitiveness.
Heartfelt IT & IEC: Shared Vision for Inclusive Technology and Entrepreneurship
At Heartfelt IT, we’re inspired by IEC’s mission to elevate immigrant entrepreneurs through culturally relevant education, hands-on programming, and systemic advocacy. We share their commitment to inclusive impact—and to equipping change-makers with solutions that fuel purpose-driven work.
Whether it’s supporting remote mentorship sessions, enabling virtual incubation workshops, or elevating digital campaigns, Heartfelt IT stands ready to support organizations like IEC with thoughtful, mission-aligned technology.
Learn More or Get Involved
To discover how immigrant entrepreneurs are transforming Canada’s economic landscape—or to explore ways to support IEC’s journey—visit their website and engage with their programs.