Surrey’s DIVERSEcity settles in with a new incubator program for BIPOC and immigrant entrepreneurs

Credit: DIVERSEcity. Jaycika Gill (left) of Souffle Studio and Jhansi Yedluri of Pamjy Candles at the DIVERSEcity Entrepreneur and Small Business Fair in October 2022.

The 18+ week incubator combines parts of the charity’s past programs

So you’re part of the BIPOC or immigrant community looking to make a living in B.C. Where do you start?

Entrepreneurship is exciting and scary, but British Columbians are all about it. Of the five-plus million people in the province, one in 10 are entrepreneurs, and 98 percent of all B.C. businesses are small.  

To help ease uncertainty for those interested in being their own boss, Surrey’s DIVERSEcity—a charity focused on settling newcomers—is combining parts of its past programs to offer the Diverse Entrepreneurs Business Incubator for BIPOC and immigrant entrepreneurs. Presented by Canadian Western Bank, this 18+ week training program has three phases to grow a business idea: business plan writing, a startup bootcamp and one-on-one self-employment support.  

“We want to help diverse entrepreneurs not only start a business, but start a successful business,” said Florence Kao, DIVERSEcity’s self-employment program coordinator, in a release. From this month onwards, incubator participants can learn business basics, develop business and marketing plans, test products in the market, engage in pitch presentations and more.

“Empowering diverse entrepreneurs is a passion of mine,” Kao added in the release. “As an immigrant from Taiwan, I know how overwhelming it can be to find your way in a new country, so to start a business here on top of that is a courageous and bold move, but full of risk. We’re here to provide these emerging entrepreneurs with the guidance, mentorship and business planning basics to overcome the startup challenges.” 

You can learn more or register for the program here.