XCEL, a leading venture capital and business accelerator located in Xiamen, China, visited Pinawa in January 2020 with interest in North Forge East’s International Entrepreneurship Program. The meeting was hosted by Blair Skinner, Mayor of Pinawa and North Forge East board member, and Shane Li, President of North Forge East.

“North Forge East’s International Entrepreneurship Program attracts international startups to complement the local innovation ecosystem, expand the startup network within Manitoba and positively impact the global innovation system,” says Li. “By attracting international startups to our province, we are creating more jobs for the local economy and enhancing the local innovation ecosystem.”

North Forge East aims to support world-class technology startups and entrepreneurs as they build, establish and accelerate their business in Manitoba. The program is designed to help eligible international companies “hit the ground running” as they enter the North American market with fast-paced business growth initiatives.

North Forge East is excited to partner with XCEL to further explore economic development and education opportunities in the international market to benefit Pinawa and the surrounding region.

“In the long run, this will help open up more jobs, create more housing, and available opportunities,” says Li. “The largest benefit from this initiative is for North Forge East and our established partnerships to work together to build our region as the hub and launch pad for North American business expansion.”