Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander welcomed the first two successful applicants under Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program on July 16 in Vancouver. The program is designed to attract more entrepreneurs to the country and create jobs for Canadians.

Minister Alexander met with entrepreneurs at GrowLab Ventures Inc. Growlab, a Vancouver-based company, is supporting two former Ukrainian citizens, Stanislav Korsei and Oleksandr Zadorozhnyi, to develop their company, Zeetl Inc. Korsei and Zadorozhnyi have developed a new application for firms to monitor social media for customer complaints and concerns and instantly establish a telephone line for the customer to call for assistance.

The program is part of the Government of Canada’s plan to build a fast and flexible economic system. It was launched in 2013 to bring Canadian investors and entrepreneurs from abroad together. Through the program, entrepreneurs can apply for permanent residence in Canada if they receive support from Canadian private-sector firms.

“As part of our government’s focus on job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity, it is critical for Canada to attract the best entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world,” said Minister Alexander. “Our government is proud to welcome the first successful applicants of the Start-Up Visa Program and we look forward to the success of their venture and other opportunities that will help create more jobs for Canadians.”