Celebrating Five Years of Supporting Immigrant Entrepreneurs
On Saturday, January 25th, 2025, the Ottawa Newcomer Entrepreneurs Hub (ONE Hub) hosted its highly anticipated Annual Alumni Networking Event, “Showcasing Immigrant-Owned Businesses: Strengthening the Ottawa Business Community” at the World Skills Employment Centre. The event brought together over 70 attendees consisting of immigrant entrepreneurs, business experts, community partners, and aspiring entrepreneurs, all under one roof to celebrate and support the growth of immigrant-owned businesses in Ottawa.
A Vibrant Gathering of Entrepreneurs and Community
The evening was filled with meaningful conversations, networking, and inspirational stories. The atmosphere encouraged connection, with ample time for participants to share ideas, seek advice, and explore potential collaborations. It was a reminder of the powerful role that networking plays in growing and sustaining successful businesses. Attendees had the chance to mingle and exchange ideas, while enjoying catering from our local immigrant entrepreneur clients’ food businesses.
Thank you to our ONE Hub Client’s for providing the delicious food:
- Afghan Cuisine: Sanya Afzali, Founder of Saffronia Kitchen
- Desserts: Rabha Rhandour, Founder of Dwaiz Tea
- Cake: Fatou Bintou Traore
- Cake: Nooshin Abbasi Noorabadi, Founder of Jahan Creations
Thank you to our community partners and facilitators for attending: OCISO, OCLF, Rafaele Stores Partner Ltd., Quartz Solutions, La Cite, CCI, RBC, Titilola Adeseko, Jewish Family Services, PhilanthroBit Inc., ORORA Digital Advisory, K1ever
Fireside Chat with Inspirational Entrepreneurs
A highlight of the evening was the fireside chat, featuring three ONE Hub immigrant entrepreneurs. They shared their personal journeys of starting and growing their businesses in Ottawa, discussing the challenges and triumphs they’ve experienced along the way.
Thank you to our ONE Hub Speakers:
- Tomilola Ayotomiwa, Founder of Posh N Precise Designs
- Ahmad Fahim Hakim, Founder of EyeXcite
- Sai Nag, Founder of BootStrap Technologies
In addition, thank you to our special guest speaker, Karla Briones (founder of Karla Briones Consulting, Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada and Business Advisor at Invest Ottawa).
Immigrant Entrepreneurs Business Showcase
In addition to the fireside chat, the event also featured a business showcase, where selected ONE Hub clients displayed their products and services. This gave the community an opportunity to learn more about the diverse array of immigrant-owned businesses in Ottawa. From unique artisanal products to tech start-ups and service-based companies, the showcase illustrated the strength and innovation within the immigrant entrepreneur community.
Thank you to our ONE Hub Client Business showcase participants:
- Radwa Abdelbaky, Founder of In Motion Events
- Asma Tahlawi, Founder of Asma’s Table
- Jideofor Ahaneku, Founder of Gobuyhub
- Kumiko Akiyama and Felix Kim, Founders of Pole Pole Parenting
Looking Back on Five Years of Supporting Immigrant Entrepreneurs
The Annual Alumni Networking Event marked a significant milestone for the Ottawa Newcomer Entrepreneurs Hub (ONE Hub) as it concludes a five-year journey of supporting immigrant entrepreneurs. Over the past five years, ONE Hub has been an advocate for immigrants in Ottawa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, helping newcomers navigate the complexities of starting and growing their businesses. Through mentorship, business coaching, and entrepreneurship training, the program has supported over 600 immigrant entrepreneurs to learn how to start a business in Canada and make impactful contributions to the local economy.
As this chapter closes, ONE Hub is proud of all that has been accomplished—fostering a thriving, diverse business community and opening doors for collaboration, growth, and success.
Furthermore, we would like to say a big thank you to our coalition partnership between World Skills Employment Centre, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), and Ottawa Community Loan Fund (OCLF). Lastly, thank you to our funders Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for making this 5-year program possible.
Though ONE Hub’s formal program is concluding, the spirit of supporting immigrant entrepreneurs in Ottawa remains strong. We at World Skills Employment Centre, remain committed to supporting immigrants in their integration into the Canadian Labour Market through resources and community connections.
We encourage you to check out this resource page for entrepreneurship resource links and various support services for immigrants in Ottawa: Community Resources – Ottawa World Skills
