In recent years, provincial economic conditions have contributed to a growing need to support the efforts of Alberta's entrepreneurs and small business owners. Therefore, The Business Link , supported by Rural Alberta’s Development Fund, launched the VISTA (Value-added Incubator Services Throughout Alberta) initiative in October, 2007.

By utilizing the abundant resources at The Business Link, and by collaborating with province-wide economic development organizations as well as established business incubators, VISTA today is a  primary tool and resource for Alberta's rural communities trying to establish or enhance incubators for their entrepreneurs and small business owners.

VISTA Services

VISTA provides its members and affiliate members with:

• Information, resources and diagnostic services required to evaluate the merits and long-term sustainability of business incubation in a given rural Alberta community

• Information, research, training sessions, seminars and networking resources to effectively determine feasibility, develop, operate, manage and sustain a rural Alberta business incubator initiative in your area
  

• Supplementary services to enhance the offerings of existing rural-based incubators to increase their capacity and depth of services without assuming the full cost of development

• Networking capacity that ensures entrepreneurs and small business owners in need of incubator services are connected with the appropriate business incubators

• Screen and distribute information about industry developments, trends and best practices

• Build public awareness of VISTA and business incubation as a valuable business and economic development tool for rural Alberta

Learn more about VISTA membership and member benefits...