Canada’s Start-Up Visa program is the first of its kind and continues to receive world-wide attention. This unique program will help Canada remain competitive in the global economy. It does so by providing Canadian private sector organizations with access to a broad range of entrepreneurs in whose ideas they can invest. This program is different because it provides immigrant entrepreneurs with permanent residency and valuable assistance in navigating the Canadian business environment.

The Start-Up Visa was recently promoted via a large billboard in the entrepreneur and start-up hotbed of Silicon Valley, US. The billboard asked “H1-B Problems? Pivot to Canada,” referring to the visa challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the American immigration system and encouraging them to pivot to Canada, a term commonly used by start-up firms to express a shift in business strategy. The billboard grabbed the attention of The Wall Street Journal, CBS News and Forbes Magazine, among other high-profile US news outlets.

Minister Kenney was also in Silicon Valley promoting the Start-Up Visa. During his visit, Minister Kenney met with foreign entrepreneurs and influential figures in the start-up and tech communities. He was also a featured guest speaker at Stanford University and attended TiEcon 2013, the world’s largest conference for entrepreneurs, where he spoke with many international entrepreneurs, angel investors, and venture capitalists first-hand.

Many reasons exist why Canada is the best place for entrepreneurs to launch their businesses. Some of Canada’s advantages include:

          - strong economic growth;
          - low taxes and low business costs;
          - excellence in research and innovation;
          - and top quality of life.

Visit immigration.gc.ca/startup or pick up a copy of the Start-Up Visa brochure for more information.