Building Dreams from Vision to Reality: Winnie Hsu’s Journey with Venture for Canada

Meet Winnie Hsu,

an MBA graduate who transformed her experience as an international student into entrepreneurial success in Canada. She’s the Founder and CEO of Nexgen Accounting Inc. and Vision2Reality Foundation, a non-profit organization. Vision2Reality is dedicated to assisting newcomers in British Columbia by helping them establish businesses with comprehensive, free support. They offer a range of services including workshops, mentorship, and extensive resources designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs.

How did you first learn about Venture for Canada and what motivated you to get involved?

In 2022, when Winnie launched Vision2Reality, resources were tight, and she couldn’t afford to hire the necessary staff to expand the foundation. Instead, a dedicated team of volunteers explored opportunities for obtaining free support, leading them to discover Venture for Canada’s Intrapreneurship Program. This discovery proved transformative; over the past three years, Winnie has engaged multiple cohorts of talented students through the program. These students have significantly contributed to the foundation’s growth by developing programs, conducting research, and enhancing the community’s online presence. Their projects, though brief, have made substantial impacts.

“Although our foundation focuses on supporting newcomer entrepreneurs, we also provide a stage for students to develop their soft skills by working in a real business. We help everyone in Canada who wants to be an entrepreneur. Many local Canadian business owners and professionals share their knowledge by offering free workshops and mentorships, and the students also build personal relationships with those people to benefit their future careers. The partnership with VFC is a win-win arrangement between our two organizations,” exclaims Winnie. 

Do you have any exciting updates or stories to share with the VFC community? 

“If you want to control your financial future by learning to be an entrepreneur, please join our free online community. You can access free resources and mentorship to support your dream there,” says Winnie. 

Which word best represents your entrepreneurial journey and can you share a challenge you’ve faced and overcome? 

Winnie describes her entrepreneurial journey with one key term: adaptability. Like many new ventures, she encountered funding challenges. To overcome these, she leveraged the creativity of interns and practicum students, along with the support from the Intrapreneurship Program. By embracing the innovative ideas of Canada’s youth, Winnie has successfully scaled Vision2Reality to offer more than 100 programs and has cultivated a thriving online community of 1,500 members, all without reliance on government funding.

“The experience exemplifies that if you have a big enough WHY, you will find a way to achieve it. The entrepreneurial mindset guides our foundation’s success,” explains Winnie. 

What’s the #1 piece of advice you would give to your younger self and the next generation of entrepreneurs? 

Winnie’s advice: “If you want to bring a positive impact to the world, no one can do it alone. You need like-minded people to work together with you.”

About Venture for Canada’s Intrapreneurship Program 

Curious how innovative businesses like these are supported by Venture for Canada? Our Intrapreneurship Program connects student teams with small businesses to tackle innovative projects. Students work part-time while in school, earning $22/hour, with all costs fully subsidized by Venture for Canada. Perfect for early-stage startups and small businesses seeking fresh insights without the financial burden.

For Businesses: 

Enhance your team with eager-to-learn students ready to contribute to your projects at no cost to you. Learn more about fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs through hands-on experience and mentorship. 

Applications are open for the July 2025 cohort! Sign up here.

For Students: 

Gain practical experience and earn while you learn, working on real projects that make a difference. This is your chance to apply your studies in a real-world environment, enhancing your skills and building your resume before graduation. 

Applications open on April 28th! Sign up for the waitlist here.