Immigrant Entrepreneur Services

Dedicated support for immigrant entrepreneurs across Alberta.

While all entrepreneurs face challenges, Business Link acknowledges that immigrants face additional barriers to starting and running a business. That’s why we offer specialized support and resources for aspiring and established immigrant entrepreneurs across Alberta.

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Our support services include:

Dedicated one-on-one coaching and supports from Business Link staff to immigrant entrepreneurs across Alberta.

Network referral building with a focus on pairing immigrant entrepreneurs with the most suitable support wherever they are in Alberta.

Training and workshops to help newcomers and immigrants understand Canadian business practices and improve their business skills.

Informative resources including guidebooks and checklists.

Delivery of capacity building training to business and service providers across rural Alberta to allow them to reach and serve immigrant entrepreneurs within their region more successfully.

Information on financing.

Resources for immigrant entrepreneurs.

We’ve got free resources and tools that can help immigrant entrepreneurs build a thriving business right here in Alberta. Access our free interactive Business Plan Builder, webinar recordings, small business basics videos, and downloadable guides featuring topics like start-up steps, marketing, and financial management.

Download our Immigrant Resources

Immigrant services team

Jean Jacques Mitakaro | Bilingual English & French

Coordinator, Immigrant Entrepreneur Services

Book a meeting with Jean Jacques

Connect with Jean Jacques on LinkedIn

Jean Jacques brings to Business Link team a wide array of expertise in for-profit businesses, non-profits, charities, faith-based (religious) organizations, social enterprises, and immigrant entrepreneurship to help entrepreneurs of all backgrounds successfully start and take their ventures to the next level. His other areas of interest include nonprofit board governance, charity status registration, policies and procedures, strategic planning, volunteer engagement, event planning, fund development, grant seeking, corporate sponsorship, and translation.

Jean Jacques is a networking geeky nerd and a volunteer enthusiast! When he is not networking, you will find him volunteering his time to local and international causes, and spending time with family and friends. If there’s time left over, you will find him playing and coaching kids or watching or playing his favourite sports, soccer, basketball, and cycling.

Special interests: Not-for-Profits & Charities | Faith-based organizations | Cooperatives | Social Enterprise | Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

Kolby Klassen

Specialized Services Support Officer

Kolby is a business support officer who has a passion for helping other entrepreneurs achieve their own business goals. While completing his Bachelor of Business Degree in Kamloops, Kolby launched his first crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.com which was successfully backed by over 100 people from 8 different countries. Since then, Kolby has continued to apply his interest in business. From creating multiple online stores, to working on his own fitness programs to sell online, Kolby constantly embraces an entrepreneurial spirit.

When Kolby is not working on business, you will probably find him hiking somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. He also enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, and being outdoors.

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