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Land
Connect
Grow
Canada Catalyst is a specialized program designed to support international companies developing HardTech products and DeepTech enterprise software solutions as they establish and scale their businesses in Canada.
Leveraging ventureLAB’s market expertise, tailored advisory, state-of-the-art labs, and a strong industry network, Canada Catalyst serves as a launchpad for international companies aiming to enter the Canadian market and scale beyond borders.
Applications open for 2026 SUV Intake
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Submit your application to begin the process.
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.
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
Founders can either use this link or the form right below to submit their applications.
Once the application form is submitted, 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.
* 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.
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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.
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 7,300 jobs and raise more than $480 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.
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