Designated
Business Incubator
Start-up Visa Program
Program Introduction
What You Need to Bring
What We Offer
Application Process
1. Program Introduction
1-1. About the Start-up Visa Program
1-2. What Are Designated Organizations?
1-3. Program Fee
1-1. About the Start-up Visa Program
The Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:
・ Are innovative
・ Can create jobs for Canadians
・ Can compete on a global scale
By successfully applying to our incubator, you may be able to immigrate to Canada. If you are still exploring what Canada has to offer, we recommend visiting the Destination Canada website.
1-2. What Are Designated Organizations?
Designated organizations are business groups that are approved by the Minister to invest in or support possible start-ups through the Start-up Visa Program.
To apply for the Start-up Visa Program, your business idea or venture must get the support of one or more designated venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator.
Designated Business Incubators (i.e. ISM) help start-ups grow by offering a range of services such as:
・ Physical space & facilities
・ Capital
・ Business mentoring
・ Networking connections
If your application to our incubator is successful, we will issue you a Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support (LOS) required for your Start-up Visa application, and you can proceed to participate in our incubator. Start-ups may participate in our incubator virtually before they come to Canada.
1-3. Program Fee
We consider the following three options for tuition fees case by case. The fees are collected upfront, and we issue your Commitment Certificate and LOS upon enrolment. Equity options are currently unavailable until further notice.
Money
$40,000 CAD per team plus any applicable administrative fees (not to exceed $45,000).
Equity
Up to 10% equity depending on the valuation of the start-up.
Money + Equity
x CAD + x%
2. What you need to bring
2-1. Start-up Stage
2-2. Pitch Deck & Business Plan Requirements
2-3. Requirements for start-ups who have traction
2-1. Start-up Stage
For start-ups who may be in a pre-seed stage with little to no traction and revenue, we prioritize those that have an MVP and experienced team members with subject matter expertise, domain knowledge and business backgrounds.
For start-ups who have traction, we will carry out further due diligence to assess risk, assess the complete business case and plans including finance, and to monitor.
All applicants must provide a pitch deck and a business plan. If you do not have a business plan, we recommend getting started with one of the templates available here.
2-2. Pitch Deck & Business Plan Requirements
Intro
Brief description, logo and tagline.
Vision
The purpose of your business, and the ideal world you want to see as a result.
Problem
The issue you are addressing for your customers.
Solution
What product or service you have created, and why pursue it in Canada.
Market Addressed
Total Available Market (TAM) >$1B if possible, including evidence.
Market Landscape
Competitor analysis, macro trends, and any insight you have that others do not.
Current Traction
Key statistics, stakeholder buy-in, and plans for scaling and future customer acquisition.
Business Model
How users translate to revenue including actuals, plans, and hopes.
Team
Members, backgrounds, roles, and the qualifications they have to succeed. Photos and bios are encouraged.
Summary
3-5 key takeaways such as about market size, key product insights, and traction if any).
Fundraising
What you have already raised and what you plan to raise now, any financial projections, optional product roadmap (6 quarters max) indicating what an investment buys.
2-3. Requirements for start-ups who have traction
We will examine business success drivers such as:
・ Quality of the management
・ The people within the start-up
・ Customer loyalty
・ Founders relationships
・ Leadership
Overall, our due diligence encompasses review, analysis and evaluation of the following as applicable case by case.
Product/service
Team
Income statement
Balance sheet
Partnership agreements
Existing contracts
Profit/loss records
Annual reports
Tax filings
Business efficiency
3. What we offer
3-1. Incubator Overview
3-2. Exclusive Awards & Benefits
3-1. Incubator Overview
Our main goal is to empower start-ups to reach the next level. It can be pitching to investors and raising funds from angel investors or VCs, reaching the product-market fit, or entering well-known incubators like Y Combinator or Techstars. We guide start-ups to that point by facilitating an 8-week Module based program for up to twelve start-ups per cohort and four cohorts per year with virtual and in-person options.
Each week, an expert mentor presents a Module with slides on a critical business topic and gives a corresponding assignment for the start-ups to apply individually within their own business during the week while having access to the mentor who presented to assist with their assignment. Modules include Design Research, Service Design, Product-market Fit, Product Management, Ecosystem Building, Management & Leadership, Business Development, and Funding Pitch.
We determine which mentors the start-ups should meet (structured mentorship). The Modules will be complemented by two bespoke Workshops and a curated guest speaker session, and the start-ups will have opportunities to connect with other community members. Each cohort will conclude with a Demo Day.
Some start-ups may be able to participate individually on a rolling basis depending on availability.
3-2. Exclusive Awards & Benefits
Depending on the stage and readiness of your business as determined by our program administrators and partners, you may receive the following upon completing the incubator. If you are an organization with mutual clients such as incubator applicants, participants and graduates and you are interested in partnering with our SUV program, please visit our Strategic Partner page and contact us directly.
Cloud Credits
60% off GCP, AWS, Azure and IBM cloud for start-ups who already have traction.
CRM Platform
One year free subscription to Support Bench Customer Relationship Management platform including sentiment analysis technology.
Finance
Book a Complimentary Session with Deloitte and let one of their experts support your company’s growth journey. From assistance maximizing and claiming Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits and other domestic and international government incentive programs to advice on securing financing or how to structure your company tax returns, Deloitte is there to help you achieve your unique business goals.
Digital Adoption
Complimentary sessions and custom packages with Valenta to access the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) grants. For scale-ups and mid-sized organizations who are ready for process optimization, digital transformation, and staff augmentation.
Grants Consulting
Complimentary grant research by Froese Law including an onboarding questionnaire and consultation to understand your business, and a research memo including information about the grants currently available for your start-up's strategic initiatives.
UX Lab
Get exclusive access and mitigated cost for UX design and low fidelity prototyping at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Canada's top institution in art, media, and design merging studio practice, research, and critical theory in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment that encourages experimentation at the intersections of art, design, media, and technology.
Immigration Consulting
Tailored direct referral to R & R Law for assistance with assembling your Permanent Residence and Work Permit application, and comprehensive immigration services.
DevOps Services
$5,000 credit for Velocity Inc. software and technology development to build and scale your architecture.
4. Application Process
4-1. Application Processing
4-2. IRCC Visa Information
4-1. Application Processing
Submit an application through our incubator webpage. Applications are reviewed within approximately 1 month of submission. If your start-up meets our basic requirements, we will invite you to an interview.
The interview includes follow-up questions about the product roadmap, marketing plan, why Canada, reaching product-market fit, and more about your team. If you do not pass the interview, you may access our incubator mentorship services and/or our creative agency services to tweak your idea and re-apply. If you pass the interview, we will request your pitch deck, business plan, financial projections, and due diligence verifications about your start-up.
Provide your final materials including pitch deck, business plan and financial projections. Your business plan should include:
Which essential parts of the operations of your business will happen in Canada
Plans for incorporating the business in Canada
For each team member applying for a Work Permit, include urgent business reasons for coming to Canada before getting Permanent Residence
Provide verifying documentation and/or explanations about your start-up. We may conduct a questionnaire and/or meeting to determine which documents would be most appropriate for your specific case. Foreign documents must be translated to English and stamped by a certified translator. Required verifications and example documentation include:
Identity of each applicant (e.g. copies of passports, birth certificates)
Background of each applicant. Provide your CV, and include or attach a full list of any universities, research institutes or laboratories you have been affiliated with, received funding from, or received in-kind support from as well as the dates. Attach copies of any diplomas, degrees or certificates you have earned.
Financial and legal structure of the business (e.g. articles of incorporation, bank letters, statements including business expenses).
Qualifying ownership of the company or the future company (e.g. shareholder agreement, certificate, pre-incorporation contract)
Control of intellectual property (e.g. patents, industrial designs, trademarks, copyrights, or trade secrets). Start-ups who have not registered any form of intellectual property may have Trade Secrets and should provide documentation such as non-disclosure agreements, internal confidentiality protocols, explanations of closed internal project management methods, or otherwise protections of trade secrets listed here. If a third party may control any of your intellectual property, you must provide any waivers, re-assignments, or other consent agreements demonstrating your authorization to control the intellectual property. If you are unsure about your intellectual property, we recommend reviewing the basics of intellectual property here.
Sufficient funds for each member to settle in Canada. Provide a bank letter including the date the account was opened and the amounts in CAD, and 6 months of bank statements. Bank letters must be signed and include the contact information of the signatory.
Confirm your payment method. We do not accept cash deposits. The funds must be received through a financial institution using instruments such as wire (preferred), Global Money Transfer, Interac or other EFT, cheque, money order, etc. A wire transfer from your own incorporated entity, from your own personnel, or from an otherwise incorporated entity is preferable.
If you utilize a Money Services Business (MSB), it must be FINTRAC registered and you must provide your agreement with the MSB.
If any other third party entity or individual pays the fee on your behalf, they must have your formal consent to do so and have a reasonable relationship with your start-up. You must provide consent letter or agreement between your start-up and the third party stating the relationship and the purpose of the funds, and including their signature and contact information. For individual third parties, a copy of their ID must be attached.
Sign our incubator Agreement. The incubator Agreement confirms the following:
Program start date as decided with the start-up
Fees and payment processes
Start-up responsibilities to engage with all components of the program, be timely, keep logs, engage in the program using our designated digital platforms, and behave in a professional and respectful manner
Confidentially and restricted use of internal information
Mitigation of potential conflicts of interest
The start-up's responsibility for its own intellectual property
General liability
Governing law
Pay the fee. We will send you an invoice and a receipt.
Receive your LOS, and we will send your Commitment Certificate to IRCC.
We will only use your information for internal review, program operation, official SUV Program requirements, and any legal obligations. We may provide you with feedback, help understanding the requirements, and public information about industry standards in relation to your application requirements, however we do not create any part your application materials nor assume any responsibility for your business decisions and legal decisions.
4-2. IRCC Visa Information
We fulfill the responsibilities of the designated organization in relation to Commitment Certificates, Letters of Support, and Incubator programs. We do not offer immigration consulting services nor advise applicants on Permanent Residence and Work Permit applications. Please see the following additional guidance provided by IRCC, and you may consider the IRCC guidelines on using an immigration or citizenship representative.
Permanent Residence
Information on the permanent residence program eligibility can be found here.
To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, applicants must:
· get a letter of support from a designated organization
· meet the language requirements
· bring enough money to settle
Guidance on how to apply for permanent residence can be found here. Applicants should follow the instructions in the application guide and include the documents in the document checklist.
Incomplete applications will be returned by email. For applications to be considered complete, applicants must include:
· all the information asked for, on the online forms from you
· the forms completed by the principal applicant, and
· all supporting documents we ask for
If they do not provide all the requested information or documents, the processing of their application could be delayed.
In the event they are not able to provide one or more documents required on the document checklist, they must provide a written explanation for each missing document so your application is not delayed in processing or returned as incomplete.
They must also provide any other evidence or documents you have available to satisfy the requirement. Upload them as the document type that was asked for. It’s helpful to include any proof that they applied to get supporting documents (for example, a marriage certificate payment receipt).
If your application is incomplete, it will be rejected. The applicant will have to fix any errors and then re-submit it.
Ministerial announcements
As this policy was recently announced, there is no additional information available at this time other than what is included in the news release and background document.
Authority to release information
Should you wish for ISM to discuss your individual application with IRCC at any time, you may complete and sign (e-signature not permitted) the IMM5475 form – authority to release personal information to a designated individual. Due to Privacy legislation, IRCC cannot discuss an individual’s application without their consent.
This is a large FAQ on the site to assist individual applicants on various issues.
Contact Us
team@ism-ac.com