In this initial step, potential applicants must determine if they meet the minimum criteria and complete a Self-Assessment Form.

The MPNP encourages entrepreneur applicants to visit Manitoba and attend business seminars held by the Business Consulting Unit (BCU) of the Immigration and Economic Opportunities Division. The potential applicant is required to complete and submit a business concept before receiving an invitation to apply for the Entrepreneur Pathway. In the business concept form, the entrepreneur required to:

- Describe the business opportunity identified in Manitoba
- Describe the research that helped him or her identify the business as a viable opportunity
- Describe how his or her background, training, and experience will help in developing this business opportunity.
- Describe the intended investment and his or her financial position (i.e. plans for financing, availability of liquid assets, etc.)
- Describe how the product and/or service will be marketed and identify the business's competitive advantage over other competitors
- Outline critical resource requirements, such as locations, specialized equipment, the involvement of suppliers, distributors, key personnel and technology
- Describe implementation timelines taking into consideration possibilities for early of relayed business establishment
- Describe critical risk factors and explain risk management strategies to overcome these risks
- Describe further research required to finalize the business plan; and
- Describe in detail how the business will help contribute to Manitoba's economic growth with the number of jobs the business is expected to create and maintain the first year of operation. 

It is important to note that the submission of a business concept is not an application to the MPNP.

With complete market research, the prospective Entrepreneur Pathway applicant must submit the following forms to the MPNP.

- Business Concept Form;
- Self-Assessment Form; and
- Code of Conduct for Immigration Representatives, if applicable.

The MPNP will respond to EOIs by email and individuals who do not meet the minimum eligibility criteria of the Entrepreneur Pathway will not have their business concept reviewed. 

If the entrepreneur meets the minimum criteria and the Business Concept is approved, the MPNP will send an official Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA). 

It is necessary to follow the application instructions and provide all the documents listed in the Document Checklist. The entrepreneur candidate will be required to verify net worth and source of funds with one of two designated third-party service providers.

The candidate has 120 days from LAA receipt to submit a complete electronic application package to the MPNP, including a non-refundable application processing fee of CAD $2,500. The MPNP will not accept paper applications. A complete application package includes all documents in the checklist, a copy of the Third-Party Verification Report, and an extensive Business Plan. 

The application assessment may include an invitation for an in-person interview. Before a refusal is issued, the MPNP will send the applicant, whose assessment raises concerns, a Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL). The PFL allows applicants to address the MPNP's concerns before an official refusal is issued.

As part of the approval process, the applicant will be asked to sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA), which will serve as a contractual agreement between the applicant and the MPNP.

Once the BPA is signed, the MPNP issues the entrepreneur a Letter of Support. The Letter of Support must be included in the application for a Temporary Work Permit submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

An entrepreneur will be required to provide regular updates on the business's performance and the MPNP may be involved in monitoring the business establishment activities in order to verify whether or not the terms and conditions of the BPA are honored, such as the timeline specified in the BPA, reporting conditions, etc. 

The entrepreneur applicant may schedule appointments with the BCU for assistance, feedback and guidance on establishing the business successfully and accessing business settlement support services as needed. 

An entrepreneur applicant who has successfully completed the terms and conditions of the BP will obtain a provincial nomination certificate from the Government of Manitoba. With this nomination certificate, the entrepreneur may apply to IRCC for Canadian permanent resident status.