Growing Together with NextStars
September 17, 2026 | Humber Downtown, Toronto
Canada’s investment ambitions depend on people who can turn capital into operating businesses, productive teams and lasting opportunities.
On September 17, 2026, NextStars partnered with Humber Polytechnic to host Growing Together: How Immigrant Entrepreneurs Can Help Power Canada’s Global Investment Ambitions at Humber Downtown in Toronto. The event brought entrepreneurs, investors, immigration professionals and students together to examine the connection between business immigration and investment in Canada. NextStars event recap
The central question was practical: how can Canada better connect international entrepreneurial experience with the businesses, communities and industries that need it?
Bringing investment entrepreneurship and policy into one conversation
Jeannette Wiltse opened the conversation, followed by a panel moderated by business journalist and NextStars advisor Rick Spence. The panel featured:
- Pantea Jafari, Canadian immigration lawyer.
- Moatassem Moatez, Founder and CEO of MyCourier Inc. and Chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce.
- Saeed Zeinali, Founder and CEO of NextStars.
Together, these perspectives connected immigration policy with the realities of owning and growing a business. The event’s agenda focused on the contribution immigrant entrepreneurs can make through their capital, operating experience and international relationships. Event details
Why business immigration matters to Canada’s investment ambitions
At NextStars, we see entrepreneurial talent as an essential part of Canada’s investment strategy.
Large projects require capable suppliers, service providers and business partners. An experienced entrepreneur can contribute by building a company, expanding an existing operation or helping a Canadian business reach new customers.
This is the case for a more strategic approach to business immigration: connect entrepreneurs with opportunities where their experience can produce measurable economic value.
In our earlier article, Strategic immigration: the economic lever Canada is forgetting in the new trade war, we explored how international business owners could help strengthen the companies needed to deliver Canada’s investment ambitions. Growing Together brought that discussion into a room where business, immigration and education could meet.
Business succession creates another opportunity for growth
Starting a company is one way to contribute to Canada’s economy. Acquiring and growing an established business deserves attention too.
For an owner preparing to retire, a successful transition means finding someone capable of taking responsibility for what comes next. Employees, customers and suppliers all have a stake in that transition.
An international entrepreneur with relevant industry experience may bring fresh capital, management capacity and access to new markets. A well-prepared acquisition can give that entrepreneur a foundation to build on while helping an existing business continue serving its community.
That possibility requires careful matching. The buyer’s experience, the company’s commercial prospects and the seller’s transition needs should guide the transaction. Where immigration is part of the plan, eligibility must also be assessed independently.
For NextStars, connecting business succession with qualified international entrepreneurs is an opportunity to support both continuity and growth.
Clearer immigration processes can strengthen investor confidence
Entrepreneurs making a move to Canada need to plan around business commitments, family responsibilities and investment decisions.
In the published post-event reflection, Pantea Jafari’s contribution highlighted the importance of clearer policy, stronger administration and accountability in rebuilding confidence in Canada as a destination for entrepreneurs and investors. Post-event reflection
For founders and business buyers, predictability has practical value. It helps them assess when to commit resources, how to structure their involvement and what milestones they need to meet.
Current program information is therefore essential. As of September 29, 2026, the federal Start-Up Visa Program is paused and is not accepting new applications. IRCC continues processing applications accepted before the pause. IRCC program status
Provincial entrepreneur pathways have their own criteria. British Columbia, for example, describes its Base stream as a pathway for eligible entrepreneurs seeking to establish a business or take over and grow an existing one. Nomination and permanent residence require separate assessments; buying a business alone does not establish immigration eligibility. BC entrepreneur immigration
Connecting entrepreneurs with emerging talent
Humber’s partnership added another dimension to Growing Together: the relationship between business growth and workforce development.
Alongside the panel, Humber promoted an Emerging Talent Showcase designed to let students present their skills and experience directly to founders, investors and industry professionals. Humber’s event announcement
These connections matter. Entrepreneurs entering a new market need people who understand customers, technology, operations and the local business environment. Students benefit from opportunities to show employers what they can contribute.
Bringing both groups into the same conversation creates a starting point for future recruitment, mentorship and collaboration.
Continue the conversation with NextStars
Thank you to Humber Polytechnic, our opening speaker, moderator, panellists and everyone who joined us on September 17.
Growing Together reflected the community we are building at NextStars: entrepreneurs, business owners, investors and professional partners working to turn international experience into opportunities in Canada.
Whether you are exploring a Canadian business acquisition, preparing your company for succession or evaluating how business ownership fits into your relocation plans, NextStars can help you explore the commercial considerations and coordinate with the appropriate professional advisors. Explore NextStars
