Hope to Continue “Bringing Great People to Great Countries”: 10 on the Weekend with Kyle Kirkegaard

10 On The Weekend is a weekly (-ish) feature in IMI, the concept of which is simple: Each time, we ask the same ten questions of a different IMI Pro, letting readers get to know the interviewee on a more personal and informal level than they might during the ordinary course of business.

Our guest this week is Kyle Kirkegaard VP of Programs at Empowered Startups

How do you spend your weekends?

Weekends are a time to recharge and prepare for the busy week. Living in the coastal mountain range outside Vancouver, B.C., any moment free from work, you will find me outside enjoying the mountains with friends and family.

Whether it be backcountry skiing in the winter or alpine trail running in the summer, there is little I love more than the freedom to explore outside.

What are your top three business goals this year?

1. Our Portugal HQA® Visa program is a fast-track investment entrepreneurship pathway to EU residency. A key goal this year is to share this program’s benefits with as many entrepreneurs as possible.
2. Supporting the evolution of the Canada Start-up Visa Program
3. Launching investor entrepreneur programs in new markets.

What’s your biggest business concern right now?

Hiring the right people and enough of them to expand our global reach at Empowered Startups.

Which book is on your nightstand right now?

I’m someone who enjoys having multiple books on the go; right now, I have Breath by James Nestor, The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

How and when did you first get into the investment migration industry?

By coincidence, after a career transition from real estate development. I began working for Empowered Startups on a new SaaS platform they were launching within their incubator.

I then quickly transitioned into the core business at startups and the work they do for transnational entrepreneurship and global mobility.

What was your proudest moment as a service provider?

There isn’t one specific moment, but I would say it’s when I reconnect with clients who have achieved their immigration and business goals through a program with Empowered Startups.

Which investment migration market development has surprised you the most in the last year?

I am surprised that the Portugal Golden Visa Program continues to be popular, even though more cost-effective and faster programs are available.

If you could go ten years back in time, what business decision would you change?

No changes for me. I’ve had an unconventional path into this industry, and the diversity of experience has created a unique foundation that I wouldn’t change.

What investment migration industry personality do you most admire?

I’m fortunate to work with two investment migration industry personalities I admire: The CEO of Empowered Startups, Paul Girodo, and President and General Counsel, Chris Lennon.

They have an uncanny ability to create fantastic programs that benefit the countries and people they attract. The impacts of their programs are far-reaching when it comes to supporting innovation and startup ecosystems.

If all goes according to plan, what will you be doing five years from now?

Continuing the same path of bringing great people to great countries. With expansion into new markets and the launch of new programs to help startup ecosystems and innovation hubs thrive.