Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

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Are you an international student and want to move your startup or innovative business to Alberta?

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (FGES) is a program that nominates graduates from outside Canada for permanent residence once they have launched their startup or innovative business in Alberta. The program is a collaboration between the Government of Alberta's Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) and Platform Calgary. You can learn more about FGES here.

Platform Calgary will provide startup support and evaluate FGES applications through five weeks of engagement. Five foreign graduates will be selected to participate.

Upon completion of Platform Calgary's programming, participants submit their updated business plan and pitch deck to AINP to evaluate business viability and determine next steps as part of the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream. There is no guarantee that by attending this program you will be nominated for the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

This program is open to foreign graduates (within the past ten years) from universities outside of Canada who are motivated to start businesses in Alberta. Those who are still coming up with an idea for their startup or are already working on their startup are encouraged to apply.

This program is ideal for candidates who meet the following criteria:

Focusing on one or more of the following sectors
- Technology
- Aerospace
- Financial Services
- Energy
- Agriculture
- Tourism
- Life Sciences
- Pharmaceuticals
Early-stage
- Companies that have an existing idea, a proven product or service, and have a clear plan on how to grow your business in Alberta for the next 2+ years
Demonstrate financially viability
- Demonstrate financial means to set up their businesses and meet a minimum level of investment
- Able to achieve revenue within their first year of business in Alberta
Have six months of business experience and/or ownership
Meet Canadian Language Benchmark 7

Program details

Companies are paired with an advisor for five weeks, meeting up to two times per week. Participants are expected to attend all meetings. The estimated time commitment is 20 hours (two meetings per week, plus preparation and planning).

Cost

Total investment: $8,700 + GST

$2,600 + GST due upon acceptance into the program
$6,100 + GST due upon Government of Alberta approval

Have Questions?

Please contact us by email only ([email protected]), phone calls will not be returned.

Get notified when applications open

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Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Are you an international student and want to move your startup or innovative business to Alberta?

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Program details

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