Through our entrepreneurship program ENRICH (Entrepreneurial Newcomer, Refugee and Immigrant Collaboration Hub), we provide training, business coaching, mentorship, work shadowing, and financial literacy support. In addition, we offer specialized workshops, an alumni program and many networking opportunities. Our services help newcomers learn about doing business in Canada and prepare them to become successful entrepreneurs. 

The ENRICH program is publicly known as the “Ottawa Newcomer Entrepreneurs Hub (ONE Hub)” and was developed by a coalition of three key partners:  World Skills Employment Centre, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) and Ottawa Community Loan Fund (OCLF), along with the support of community partners such as Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre and Vitesse Re-Skilling Canada. 

ONE Hub aims to remove barriers to self-employment and to support the social and economic integration of aspiring entrepreneurial newcomers. Incubation space is provided to maximize collaboration and participants can benefit from the support of SMEs, training facilitators, and corporate partners. 

Program Objectives:

• Increase the understanding of entrepreneur clients’ needs and provide them with appropriate linkages to other services
• Enhance clients’ knowledge, skills, and connections to prepare them for the Canadian labour market in the context of entrepreneurship
• Work in partnership with other organizations to deliver responsive, coordinated services

Program Benefits:

Through the three levels of Entrepreneurial Training and Specialized Workshops, participants will:

• Learn how to develop a business plan and a market plan
• Learn accounting, bookkeeping, corporate and personal budgeting and taxation
• Become aware of different funding options and opportunities
• Become familiar with different types of legal business structures
• Learn how to register your own business

Through the Mentorship and Alumni programs, participants will be:

• Matched to a suitable mentor, ideally within their same industry
• Connected with other immigrant entrepreneurs through various social media and communication channels, and networking opportunities

Through Business Coaching and Work Shadowing, participants will:

• Be provided expert advice and guidance for their specific entrepreneurial inquiries
• Meet in-person (when possible) or virtually, local entrepreneurs in different industries and sectors

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a Permanent Resident or Convention Refugee (Canadian citizens are not eligible)
• Must be a resident of Ottawa (Gatineau residents are not eligible)
• Must have a CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) 5 or above

Registration:

• ONE Hub Information and Orientation sessions are held on a regular basis to provide information to interested parties and enable them to register for the ONE Hub program
• For specific dates of the next Information and Orientation session, click here.

To learn more about ONE Hub, please contact: info@onehubottawa.ca | 613-800-0700 ext. 414