North American Opportunities for International Companies.

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.

Land

Connect

Grow

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
Prototype & Testing Lab
50,000
Sq. Ft. Innovation Space
3,500+
Companies Supported
5,000+
Jobs Created by our Companies
$340M+
Invested in our Companies

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.

Submit an Application

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

Express your interest

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.

person at computer

REVIEW PANEL

Eligible companies are invited to a review panel to understand the business in greater detail, including expansion into the Canadian market.

group of people in meeting

DUE DILIGENCE

Companies proceeding forward will be requested to provide necessary documentation for the purpose of due diligence.

handing over documents

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.

handshake

Sound like your company? Submit an application.

Meet the Advisors

Want to find out more?

Book a call with us

Select Availability

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

Frequently
Asked Questions

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.