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Land
Connect
Grow
About
the program
Breaking into North American markets calls for deep market knowledge, skilled talent and an experienced support network who can assist you in your journey to Canada.
Exclusively designed for hardware and enterprise software deep tech companies from outside Canada, the program is now being offered to eligible companies hoping to expand and explore the ecosystem in York Region.
Canada Catalyst serves as a springboard for international companies and offers personalized business advisory services, access to exceptional talent from renowned Canadian institutions, experienced support network, and extensive market expertise.
BENEFITS
OF The program
Land
Supporting companies with comprehensive business resources and tools up to $20,000 to assist in establishing your presence and operations in Canada. Access to world-class prototype and testing hardware lab and ventureLAB's Innovation Space.
Connect
With our strong associations with various academic institutions, we are uniquely positioned to facilitate introductions and assist you in fulfilling your talent acquisition requirements. Our vast network of partners and investors offers unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, funding, and market expansion.
Grow
Personalized one-on-one business advisory services, to navigate the Canadian business landscape effectively and foster your growth.
$9M
50,000
3,500+
5,000+
$340M+
EligibilitY
CANADA CATALYST SOFT LANDING
- 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
- 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.
- Applications open soon
Program Duration & Fees
SOFT LANDING
- Fees: $15,000 CAD
- Duration: 3 months
- Up to 2 founders or members from the leadership team
START-UP VISA
- Fees: $30,000 CAD
- Duration: 6 months
- Up to 5 founders
Application 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.
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
Meet the Advisors
For a full list of advisors click here
Partnership
with 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™
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.
