Canada is a global hub for innovation, offering tremendous opportunities for technology companies looking to scale. The ventureLAB’s Canada Catalyst: Start-Up Visa Program enables innovative international entrepreneurs to build scalable businesses in Canada with expert guidance, a strong tech ecosystem, and a pathway to permanent residency. 

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The program is a nine-month, in-person program designed to support tech companies developing hardware or enterprise software solutions, especially those in the DeepTech space. ventureLAB supports companies with resources, market insights, and networks to help their startups succeed and grow in the Canadian market. Participants also receive virtual support before arriving in Canada, ensuring market readiness for a smooth transition.

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What You Can Expect from the Program

Through the Canada Catalyst program, founders gain access to ventureLAB’s Innovation Space, featuring $12M in state-of-the-art facilities, including the Hardware Engineering Lab, MedTech Lab, and AI Compute. Participants receive expert-led workshops and resources on Canadian business practices, plus exclusive perks valued at over $500K.

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ventureLAB’s networking and partnership support connects founders with key players in the Canadian ecosystem—from public and private partners to research institutions—while also helping them develop a talent acquisition strategy, recruit local talent, and navigate immigration pathways like the Start-up Visa.

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Additionally, founders tap into essential R&D resources, including government innovation programs and tax credits. For market expansion and growth, the program provides personalized business advisory to support product development, R&D, go-to-market strategies, and customer engagement. Experts also help refine IP strategies to protect intellectual property in Canada and offer investment readiness support to strengthen funding prospects.

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“Moving ConNexTube to Canada was a big step, and the Canada Catalyst: Start-Up Visa Program gave us the right support at the right time. It helped us connect with industry partners, understand the market, and access the resources we needed to scale. For any founder looking to grow their tech company in Canada, this program makes a real difference,” said Wilson Wu, CEO & Founder of ConNexTube Technology Inc.

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Founders receive dedicated advisory services from industry experts, helping accelerate business growth and positioning companies for long-term success. This personalized support has already proven invaluable for numerous companies that have participated in the program.

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Program Details

Canada Catalyst: Start-Up Visa Program costs $75,000 CAD, payable in two installments: $50,000 CAD upon selection, and $25,000 CAD after the Letter of Support is issued. The program supports up to five founders per company.

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“Expanding VBtech from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to Canada came with its challenges, but the Canada Catalyst: Start-Up Visa Program made the process much easier. It helped us navigate business planning and market entry  and provided the support needed to grow our semiconductor and software solutions here. As a company focused on delivering high-performance, power-efficient innovations, we’ve been able to build on our global partnerships and scale our operations in Canada,” said Duc Do., CEO of VBtech.

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Program Requirements

To be eligible for the program, your company must meet the following criteria:

• It must be an innovative technology company developing hardware product or enterprise software solutions, with a focus on DeepTech.
• It must meet the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requirements for the Start-up Visa program.
• It must have a Minimum Viable Product and proof of concept, with the product or service already tested in its home market.
• The company must have earned at least $100K CAD in revenue in the last 12 months.
• If not incorporated, the company must plan to incorporate and operate in Canada, transferring the IP ownership to a Canadian corporation.

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Ready to scale your tech company and establish a presence in Canada? The ventureLAB’s Canada Catalyst: Start-Up Visa Program provides the resources, network, and support to accelerate your growth. Apply today and take the first step toward building your global success story.

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