Land

Connect

Grow

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.
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.
CANADA CATALYST SOFT LANDING
CANADA CATALYST START-UP VISA
SOFT LANDING
START-UP VISA
Upon filling out the application form, the team screens through the application form to assess the eligibility.
Eligible companies are invited to a review panel to understand the business in greater detail, including expansion into the Canadian market.
Companies proceeding forward will be requested to provide necessary documentation for the purpose of due diligence.
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.
* In-person program schedule
Week 1: Canadian Landscape
Week 2: Product
Week 3: Capital & Talent
Week 4: Customer
* Hybrid schedule
* Hybrid schedule
* Beyond month three: the opportunity to switch into another ventureLAB program with no additional fee
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.
No, we do not take any equity.
Through Canada Catalyst, companies will receive access to tools, resources and services including:
The total cost for this program is $15,000 CAD before tax.
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.
We accept applications on a rolling basis. Once submitted, you will:
* 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.
Book a call with one of our specialized advisors to discuss your specific needs here.
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.