Empowered Startups

Empowered Startups is a startup incubator and foundry that designs and administers innovation-led economic development programmes in partnership with governments, universities and research institutions. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, the organisation works at the intersection of entrepreneurship and cross-border mobility, helping entrepreneurs establish businesses in new markets and supporting the commercialisation of research into local economic value.

Its activity spans several connected lines of work: startup incubation and research commercialisation support; guidance for international professionals and entrepreneurs navigating startup, innovation and research-related mobility pathways; foreign direct investment attraction; and innovation cluster development conducted with public sector and academic partners. Programmes currently span Canada, Portugal, Australia and the United States. The firm is designated a startup business incubator by the Canadian government.

Empowered Startups reports having supported more than 450 startups, with those companies originating across six continents. Operating practice centres on training, mentoring and connecting entrepreneurs as they enter new markets, alongside institutional programmes intended to convert research and talent into economic activity in the regions where it operates. Verticals served include startup incubation, economic development, higher education and research institutions, government and public sector, and immigration and mobility services.