Vancouver is one of the best cities in Canada to start a business. A diversified economy spanning technology, film and media, green energy, Asia-Pacific trade, and professional services means there is genuine demand across dozens of sectors. Add strong post-secondary institutions, a skilled bilingual and multilingual workforce, and proximity to both US and Asian markets, and Vancouver becomes one of North America’s most compelling places to build a company from scratch. Here is a practical step-by-step guide to starting a business in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure
In BC, you can operate as a sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation. Most serious entrepreneurs incorporate, primarily for liability protection and tax flexibility. A BC-incorporated company is incorporated provincially through the BC Business Registry at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. A federally incorporated company under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) can operate in all provinces but requires an extra-provincial registration to operate in BC.
For most early-stage BC businesses, provincial incorporation is faster and less expensive. For companies with national ambitions or investors who prefer CBCA structures, federal incorporation may be worth the additional step.
Step 2: Register Your Business
Sole proprietors and partnerships operating under a name other than their legal name must register a business name through the BC Business Registry. Corporations register their company name as part of the incorporation process. Name availability is checked in the BC Name Request system. Once registered, you receive a BC Business Number that connects to your provincial tax accounts.
You will also need a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number for federal tax purposes. If your annual revenue will exceed $30,000, you must register for GST/HST. In BC, PST registration is separate and mandatory for businesses selling taxable goods or services.
Step 3: Secure Your Business Location
Vancouver’s commercial real estate market is tight. Many early-stage businesses start in coworking spaces in Gastown or Mount Pleasant, then move to dedicated office space as they grow. If you plan to open a retail location, research zoning requirements carefully: Vancouver has distinct commercial zones (C-1, C-2, etc.) that determine what types of businesses can operate in a given area. The City of Vancouver’s Development and Building Services Centre handles business licence applications and can advise on zoning compliance.
Step 4: Obtain Licences and Permits
Most businesses operating in Vancouver require a City of Vancouver business licence. The licence fee varies by business type and size. Additional permits may be required depending on your industry: food service businesses need health permits from Vancouver Coastal Health, construction businesses need contractor licences, and child-care businesses face provincial licensing requirements. Check the City of Vancouver’s online licence lookup tool to identify all applicable requirements before opening.
Step 5: Set Up Your Finances
Open a dedicated business bank account immediately after incorporation. Commingling personal and business finances is the most common mistake new business owners make and creates tax compliance problems that are expensive to fix. Review our guide to banks and credit unions in Vancouver for options that match your stage and needs.
Register for WorkSafeBC before hiring your first employee. WorkSafeBC covers workers’ compensation and is mandatory for virtually all BC employers. Their online registration takes about 15 minutes and should be completed before your first employee starts.
Step 6: Build Your Team
Vancouver has a deep talent pool, particularly in technology, film production, design, and professional services. However, competition for talent is intense, especially from US companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Slack that have large Vancouver offices and pay US-equivalent salaries in a Canadian dollar environment. Salary benchmarking through platforms like Glassdoor and the BC Tech Association’s annual salary survey will help you compete effectively.
All BC employees are covered by the BC Employment Standards Act, which sets minimum standards for wages, hours of work, vacation, and termination. Familiarize yourself with these requirements before making your first hire.
Step 7: Tap Into Vancouver’s Business Ecosystem
Vancouver has an exceptional support network for new businesses. The Vancouver Board of Trade, BC Chamber of Commerce, Small Business BC, BC Tech Association, and Vancouver Economic Commission all offer programming, advocacy, and networking resources. Innovate BC runs programs specifically designed to help technology and cleantech companies scale. These organizations are resources, not just networking venues: use them deliberately.
For funding your growth, explore our comprehensive guide on small business funding in Vancouver. Access grants, loans, and investor networks through programs like NRC IRAP, BDC, and the BC Venture Capital Tax Credit.
Start Strong in Vancouver
Vancouver rewards prepared entrepreneurs. Do the structural work upfront: incorporate properly, register all accounts, get licenced, and build the right team of advisors including a BC-qualified accountant and business lawyer. The foundation you lay in your first 90 days will shape your business for years.
For more tools and resources for Vancouver entrepreneurs, join Hustler’s Library free today.
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