Entrepreneurship as a Pathway to Economic Inclusion
Despite the danger of failure, researchers have noted that newcomers choose entrepreneurship more frequently than working-age Canadians and that they are pulled as well as pushed to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
Objective
While research has suggested immigrant entrepreneurs often face barriers in terms of navigating the Canadian innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, there are increasing numbers of programs ostensibly designed to support them.
By better understanding the diversity among immigrant entrepreneurs and their experiences as well as recognizing entrepreneurship as a viable pathway to inclusion, policymakers can help to strengthen an already dynamic ecosystem capable of further contributing to Canada’s economic recovery.
Research question(s)
- What are the characteristics of immigrant entrepreneurs in Canada?
- Can we develop a framework to distinguish different motivations (push/pull) related to different sectors and characteristics?
- What barriers do immigrant entrepreneurs face in establishing businesses?
- What entrepreneurship support programs are currently available for immigrants and newcomers in Canada, what are their features and impacts?
- What are the implications for policy and practice in developing an inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurs?
Methodology
This research will adopt a mixed-methods approach to design and deliver entrepreneurship training which is a pathway to self-employment among newcomers. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods will be used.
Status
The project is ongoing, with several key milestones having been achived. More publications, program development, report writing, and knowledge mobilization activities are in progress.
Outcomes
Publications:
Cukier, W., Donaldson, L., Augustin, T. J., & Chavoushi, Z. H. (2025). Advancing inclusive innovation in Canada: the impact of the IIE-Net project. Equality Diversity and Inclusion An International Journal. doi:10.1108/edi-11-2023-0383
Elmi, M., Cukier, W., Chavoushi, Z. H., & Mo, G. Y. (Eds.). (2024). Immigrant entrepreneurship (2024th ed.). doi:10.1007/978-3-031-69642-8
Past events and conferences:
- “Borders & Belonging: In Conversation podcast”, interview participation by Wendy Cukier, Toronto, Canada, May 13, 2025
- “Industry perspectives: Key debates around new technologies”, plenary session by Wendy Cukier, AI, Remote Work, and Productivity: An International Conference, St. John’s, Canada, May 9, 2025
- “AI, remote work, and productivity: An international conference”, co organized by Tony Fang and Wendy Cukier, St. John’s, Canada, May 8–9, 2025
- “Catalyst Canada: Reimagining business immigration”, roundtable participation by Wendy Cukier, Catalyst Conference, May 1, 2025
- “Spotlight on diversity: Immigrant entrepreneurship”, presented by Wendy Cukier, Inclusive Entrepreneurship Webinar Series, March 21–April 4, 2025
- “Women’s leadership and empowerment – Breaking barriers, building legacies”, interview participation by Wendy Cukier, Skills for Change Spotlight Series, March 18, 2025
- “Immigrant entrepreneurs”, presented by Wendy Cukier, 27th Metropolis Conference, Toronto, Canada, March 15, 2025
- “State of Women’s Entrepreneurship (SOWE) report”, presented by Wendy Cukier and the Diversity Institute research team, Université de l’Ontario français (UOF), Toronto, Canada, February 24, 2025
- “Facilitating newcomers' entrepreneurship in Canada: The case of Newcomers Entrepreneurship Hub”, presented by Wendy Cukier, Bridging Divides Pre-Conference Meeting and 27th Canadian Ethnic Studies Association (CESA) Conference, Edmonton, Canada, November 14–16, 2024
- “Reaching women entrepreneurs: A virtual conversation with Women’s Business Centers counselors in the United States, Canada, and Mexico”, panel participation by Wendy Cukier, Best Practices Webinar, September 24, 2024
- “Regional Roundtable Insights in Action Tour in Ontario: Driving inclusive innovation, skills, and employment”, presented by Wendy Cukier, September 17, 2024
- “Opportunities in supplier diversity programs”, presented by Wendy Cukier, Diversity Expo: 2SLGBTQI+ Business Edition, August 16, 2024
- “Inclusive innovation in science and tech: Bridging the technology skills gap for women and other equity-deserving groups”, presented by Wendy Cukier, CICE-2024 Conference, July 25, 2024
- “How to support equity, diversity, and inclusion through business and innovation programming”, presented by Wendy Cukier, Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor), July 9, 2024
- “Refugee entrepreneurship and family business in Canada”, presented by Aziz Rahman, 13th International Research Meeting in Business and Management (IRMBAM), Nice, France, July 4, 2024
- “Experts in what? A nested case analysis of DEI ideology, power dynamics, and change in entrepreneurial ecosystems”, presented by Wendy Cukier, EGOS 2024, July 4–6, 2024
- “Women entrepreneurs and sustainability initiatives: Evidence from Canada”, presented by Wendy Cukier, EGOS 2024, July 4–6, 2024
- “Refugee entrepreneurship in Canada”, presented by Aziz Rahman, IMISCOE Conference (online), July 3, 2024
- “Migrants’ economic integration and entrepreneurship”, session chaired and presentation on “Refugee entrepreneurship in Canada” by Aziz Rahman, IMISCOE Conference (online), July 2–3, 2024
- “Too big to fail vs. too small to see: Rectifying the bias against spillover multiplier effects of SMEs and women entrepreneurship”, presented by Wendy Cukier, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) 2024, Longueuil, Canada, June 2, 2024
- “Leveraging diverse procurement”, presented by Wendy Cukier, Inclusive Entrepreneurship Webinar Series, March 21–April 4, 2024
- “Spotlight on diversity: Black entrepreneurship”, presented by Mohamed Elmi, Inclusive Entrepreneurship Webinar Series, March 21–April 4, 2024
- “Spotlight on diversity: Immigrant entrepreneurship”, presented by Wendy Cukier, Inclusive Entrepreneurship Webinar Series, March 21, 2024
- “Where are we now? An update on economic challenges and progress in Canada – Education, employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership”, presented by Wendy Cukier and Mohamed Elmi, International Decade for People of African Descent 2015–2024: Advancing Social and Economic Inclusion in Canada, February 9, 2024
Keywords
Canadian innovation and entrepreneurship; economic inclusion; entrepreneurship; immigrant entrepreneurs; migrant integration