Expand your company

Startup Visa Program

The Startup Visa Acceleration Program offers a comprehensive 1-year initiative tailored for ambitious international startups seeking to establish and expand their tech ventures in Canada.

This program is intricately connected to an immigration component, facilitating the acquisition of work permits and eventual permanent residence for foreign entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, the program extends its support to accommodate up to 5 co-founders from a single company, fostering collaboration and innovation.

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Toronto at night

Criteria

  • Technology-based company that owns the Intellectual Property of their product.
  • Have demonstrated traction, either through sales, prior investments and grants, or user growth.
  • Meet the IRCC eligibility requirements for the co-founders and business.
  • Proficiency in English at a business level.
  • Financially stable, with a minimum of 100,000 CAD allocated for the first year of operations in Canada.
  • Complete the incorporation process in Canada by the end of Phase 1

What to expect

  • A Letter of Support, which will initiate your work permit and permanent residency application process, will be provided at the start of Phase II.

  • A solid market entry strategy to expand your business in North America.

  • Guidance to find funding options in the market including grants, investment and loans.

  • Involvement in the investment readiness program, with preparation for our internal demo days and investment competitions in the community.

  • Advice to establish your intellectual property strategy to grow globally.

  • 1:1 meetings with business coaches, industry expert assigned, C-Fractional Executive assigned, and the Global Startups team. 

  • Opportunity to participate in local and international trade shows.

  • Support with talent acquisition and team building, accounting, corporate taxes, and sales growth in North America.

Considerations

What should you consider before starting your application?

  1. Make sure you meet the criteria needed for this program.
  2. Program delivered in English, must have a business English proficiency level to apply.
  3. Cohorts per year: July and September in 2024
  4. The program fee is per company covering up to five co-founders.
  5. If you have questions about the application process, please send a message to
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TOTAL Program fee
60,000 CAD
Program Duration
One Year
Destination
Anywhere in Canada, the best province or city for your business and your family (except Quebec)

Previous Alumni

Global Startups

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City of Toronto