We’re proud to announce that Generation1.ca is an official community partner of Ecom North 2025, the premier summit for e-commerce founders and innovators.
At Generation1.ca, our mission is to empower immigrants and diverse communities with data-driven insights, career pathways, and networks for success. Partnering with Ecom North connects that mission to the heart of global commerce, helping brands and entrepreneurs scale responsibly while driving inclusion, innovation, and impact.
Why immigrant-powered commerce matters
- Canada: Immigrants are more likely than Canadian-born peers to own businesses. In 2023, immigrants represented 34% of entrepreneurs, projected to reach 42% by 2034. Their typically younger firms punch above their weight, responsible for 25% of net job growth while representing only 17% of firms. In 2016, 12% of immigrants aged 25-69 were business owners or primarily self-employed vs 8% of third-plus-generation Canadians. These firms show marginally higher innovation and diversify trade, though they are often smaller and more financially fragile. Immigrants are ~23% of Canada’s population and are projected to approach ~32% by 2041. About 3% of immigrants aged 15+ are entrepreneurs vs ~2% of non-immigrants.
- United States: Immigrants are roughly 16% of the population but account for 20%+ of new businesses. Their share of entrepreneurship rose from 19% (2007) to 24% (2019) and exceeds 40% in high-growth sectors like AI and venture-backed tech. Immigrant-founded firms are more likely to generate patents, bring innovations to market, and start larger companies across size categories, acting as job creators, not job takers.
What we’re doing together at Ecom North
- Bringing immigrant voices and perspectives into the conversations shaping the future of e-commerce.
- Sharing our expertise with immigrant communities through data, ethics, and equitable growth—alongside leaders building tomorrow’s businesses.
- Expanding opportunities for collaboration between brands, communities, and innovators across borders.
Commerce isn’t just about transactions; it’s about stories, communities, and building shared futures together. That’s why we’re excited to meet, learn, and collaborate at the Toronto Summit (Sept 23–24, 2025 at Meridian Hall & St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts).
