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.

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

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.

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.

4-1. Application Processing

1.  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. 

2.  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.

3.  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 
  
  

4.  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 a 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.

5.  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
  
  

6.  Pay the fee. We will send you an invoice and a receipt. 
   
   

7.  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.