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About the program
Canada Catalyst is a specialized program designed for international companies in the hardware technology and enterprise software sectors, with a focus on DeepTech. By harnessing ventureLAB’s personalized business advisory services, gaining access to exceptional talent from renowned Canadian institutions, leveraging an experienced support network, and tapping into extensive market expertise, Canada Catalyst serves as a springboard for international companies aiming to enter the Canadian market and beyond.
BENEFITSOF The program
BENEFITSOF The program
$11M
50,000
4,000+
6,800+
$420M+
Canada Catalyst SOFT LANDING
As a custom-tailored program for innovative growth-stage companies, the Soft Landing program offers a swift entry and expansion strategy that simplifies market entry for companies aiming to establish themselves in the Canadian market.
Duration: 3 months (hybrid format)
Fees: $15,000 CAD
For up to 2 founders or leadership team members
Duration: 3 months (hybrid format)
Fees: $15,000 CAD
For up to 2 founders or leadership team members
- Specialized Program: Tailored for international hardware and enterprise software growth stage tech companies
- Three-Month Duration: A rapid entry and expansion approach
- Market Expertise: Leveraging extensive knowledge of the Canadian market
- Top Talent Pool: Tap into exceptional talent from leading Canadian institutions
- Support Network: Dedicated advisory to provide strategic insights to accelerate your business growth
- Cutting-Edge Facilities: Access to ventureLAB Innovation Space and $11 million Hardware Lab
- Curated Business Resources: Premium services and resources to establish your presence in Canada
- An innovate scaling technology company developing hardware or enterprise software solutions with a focus on DeepTech
- A working product with paying clients to showcase market traction in the home country
- Earned at least $150K CAD in revenue in the last 12 months
- If not already incorporated in Ontario, have plans to establish a long-term presence in Southern Ontario
Canada Catalyst START-UP VISA
The Start-Up Visa program is specifically designed to support innovative international companies aiming to establish a footprint, broaden their reach, and attract top talent in Canada.
Program Structure: 9 months program (in-person) with up to 8 weeks of virtual pre-landing support
Fees: $75,000 CAD
Payable in two tranches:
- $50,000 CAD upon selection
- $25,000 CAD after Letter of Support is provided
For up to 5 founders
Program Structure: 9 months program (in-person) with up to 8 weeks of virtual pre-landing support
Fees: $75,000 CAD
Payable in two tranches:
- $50,000 CAD upon selection
- $25,000 CAD after Letter of Support is provided
For up to 5 founders
- Support for innovative international companies aiming to establish a footprint, broaden their reach, and attract top talent in Canada.
- Nine-Month Duration for a rapid growth approach
- Market Expertise: Leveraging extensive knowledge of the Canadian market
- Top Talent Pool: Tap into exceptional talent from leading Canadian institutions
- Support Network: Dedicated advisory to provide strategic insights to accelerate your business growth
- Cutting-Edge Facilities: Access to ventureLAB Innovation Space and $11 million Hardware Lab
- An innovative technology company developing hardware or enterprise software solutions with a focus on DeepTech
- Meets the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements
- Have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and proof of concept with product/ service tested in the home market
- Earned at least $100K CAD in revenue in the last 12 months
- If not already incorporated, plan to incorporate and operate the business from Canada and transfer the IP ownership to Canadian corporate
Learn more about Canada Catalyst
Learn more about Canada Catalyst
Process Steps
01
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Submit your application to begin the process.
02
APPLICATION SCREENING
Upon filling out the application form, the team screens through the application form to assess the eligibility.
03
REVIEW PANEL
Eligible companies are invited to a review panel to understand the business in greater detail, including expansion into the Canadian market.
04
DUE DILIGENCE
Companies proceeding forward will be requested to provide necessary documentation for the purpose of due diligence.
05
PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE
Upon selection, companies will receive the program agreement and will be prompted to submit the applicable fees.
06
LETTER OF SUPPORT
(START-UP VISA ONLY)
(START-UP VISA ONLY)
Companies selected for the start-up visa program will be provided with a Letter of Support in 6-8 weeks, after successful completion of the trial/ probationary period
In fast steps
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Application Process
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Submit your application to begin the process.
APPLICATION SCREENING
Upon filling out the application form, the team screens through the application form to assess the eligibility.
REVIEW PANEL
Eligible companies are invited to a review panel to understand the business in greater detail, including expansion into the Canadian market.
DUE DILIGENCE
Companies proceeding forward will be requested to provide necessary documentation for the purpose of due diligence.
PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE
Upon selection, companies will receive the program agreement and will be prompted to submit the applicable fees. After the agreement is finalized, an official letter will be issued. The soft landing track will include a confirmation letter, while the start-up visa track will provide a letter of support.
LETTER OF SUPPORT (Start-Up Visa Only)
Companies selected for the start-up visa program will be provided with a Letter of Support in 6-8 weeks, after successful completion of the Growth Plan for Canada.
Sound like your company? Submit an application.
Program
Overview
Month One
* In-person program schedule
Week 1: Canadian Landscape
- Understanding your market opportunity
Week 2: Product
- IP and market-fit
Week 3: Capital & Talent
- Funding, fundraising, and accessing Canadian talent
Week 4: Customer
- Sales, PR, and marketing
Month Two
* Hybrid schedule
- Advisory
Month Three
* Hybrid schedule
- Advisory
- Assignment submission
* Beyond month three: the opportunity to switch into another ventureLAB program with no additional fee
Canada Catalyst Companies
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Meet the Advisors
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Partnershipwith York Region
ventureLAB™, in partnership with York Region, have launched Canada Catalyst's Soft Landing Program to ensure that international companies are enabled to go global by growing and scaling in one of the fastest growing Canadian tech ecosystems.
York Region is Canada’s second-largest tech hub, home to a mosaic of cultures where 50% of residents are foreign-born; providing a diverse and skilled workforce for your business to tap into. It is home to Canada’s most ethnically diverse community with more than 180 different spoken languages in the Greater Toronto Area.
Learn more about Ontario’s York Region by clicking here.
Our Partners
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Frequently
Asked Questions
Does ventureLAB™ take any equity in the companies it supports?
No, we do not take any equity.
How much does the program cost? What is included?
Through Canada Catalyst, companies will receive access to tools, resources and services including:
- support to incorporate your business in Canada
- immigration assistance, space, investor/partner connections, mentorship and introduction to talent
- dedicated in-house advisory services to help tailor business milestones, product development roadmaps and support with resource navigation and introductions
- specialized support for IP protection, market development purchase and supply contracts
- Access to $9M state-of-the-art prototyping & testing Hardware Lab
- Free workspace access (for up to 2 team members) at ventureLAB’s Innovation Space in Markham and Vaughan
- Support to identify potential funding opportunities
- premium access to curated educational programming and professional services through our exclusive partners
- corporate benefits through service providers
The total cost for this program is $15,000 CAD before tax.
Does ventureLAB™ offer any fellowships to Canada Catalyst?
ventureLAB, in partnership with York Region, have launched Canada Catalyst to ensure that international companies are enabled to go global by growing and scaling in one of the fastest growing Canadian tech ecosystems. If you are a company developing novel semiconductor, sensor, silicon-based IP or an embedded system hardware product and are looking to incorporate in Canada, you may be eligible to receive a fellowship to cover the full cost of the program.
What is the application process?
We accept applications on a rolling basis. Once submitted, you will:
- Have your application reviewed by our team members
- Upon approval, you will be invited to an introductory call with our advisory team where you will present your product, business plan to expand, and motivation for choosing Canada
- If you are accepted, you will be given an offer letter, and supporting documentation to help you apply for a visa.
* Admission to the program is dependent on your payment submission upon signing the program agreement
** Applications received on a rolling basis with seasonal cut-off dates. Now accepting applications for the upcoming cohort.
I’m interested in applying but want to find out more about my specific situation. What should I do?
Book a call with one of our specialized advisors to discuss your specific needs here.
Interested? Submit an application.
About
venturelab™
Powering hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada's knowledge-based economy.
ventureLAB™ is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition have enabled thousands of companies to create over 5,000 jobs and raise more than $420 million in investment capital.
ventureLAB™ is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition have enabled thousands of companies to create over 5,000 jobs and raise more than $340 million in investment capital. At ventureLAB, we grow globally competitive tech titans that build-to-scale in Canada, for global markets.
