Bring Global Talent to Your Business with the EYE Program

Great ideas often come from meeting new people and encountering different perspectives. Hosting a European entrepreneur creates space for exactly that.

Through the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program, Canadian companies can connect with early‑stage founders from across Europe. These founders spend one to three months inside a host business, contributing their skills, sharing new approaches, and building real working relationships.

Hosts benefit in several meaningful ways: You gain fresh market insights, explore new international opportunities, and engage directly in cross‑border activities. At the same time, working alongside a motivated founder can strengthen your company’s growth potential by introducing new ideas, energy, and ways of thinking. Throughout the process, professional intermediary organizations help match you with the right entrepreneur to ensure a smooth collaboration. You also gain added visibility and credibility through the official Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs labels and certification.

And since the European Union provides financial assistance directly to the visiting entrepreneur, there is no cost for hosts beyond the time they choose to invest.

This session will walk you through how the program works in Canada, what hosting looks like in practice, and why so many organizations use it to spark innovation and explore international opportunities. There’s also a chance to meet Spanish EYE program managers from the Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias and explore opportunities for international business collaboration.

The event is a good fit for small and medium‑sized businesses, founders, innovation‑driven teams, and anyone interested in global collaboration or future market expansion. If new ideas, new connections, or a simple path into European markets are on your radar, this event offers a practical place to start.

Info: Introduction and Local Relevance of the Program

Info: Organizational Overview and Mandate + Supporting Entrepreneurs through the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) Program

Info: Institutional Overview and Areas of Expertise + Deep-Dive into the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) Program

Info: Hands-on Experience from a Host Entrepreneur

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

SFU VentureLabs, 555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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