Land

Connect

Grow

Breaking into North American markets calls for deep market knowledge and an experienced support network who can assist you in your journey.
ventureLAB’s Canada Catalyst Program is an exclusive program now being offered to eligible companies from outside Canada. Dedicated to supporting hardware or enterprise software companies with an AI or MedTech focus, this program is enabling international companies to go global by growing and scaling in York Region - one of the fastest growing Canadian tech ecosystems. This program provides direct resources to accelerate commercialization at scale with personalized attention through a focus on: understanding the Canadian business landscape, raising capital, attracting Canadian talent, custom acquisition and commercializing technology and IP.
Program fee (in CAD): $15,000 per company.
Up to 2 founders or members from the leadership team can participate in the program.
Companies accepted into the Canada Catalyst Program will receive up to $20,000 worth of tools, resources, and services including:
Land
ventureLAB will facilitate the relocation of your business operations to York Region by providing business incorporation assistance and a free space to work from (for 2 team members), including access to a $7M specialized Hardware Lab, once you’ve landed in Canada.
Connect
ventureLAB can facilitate investor/partner connections and introductions to talent. Through participation in Canada Catalyst Program, eligible companies may have the opportunity to gain entry to other ventureLAB programs like the Hardware Catalyst Initiative or Accelerate AI with no additional charge.
Grow
ventureLAB will accelerate. your growth through dedicated in-house advisory services offering support to achieve tailored business milestones, product development roadmaps, an IP strategy, supplier and procurement contracts, as well as resource navigation and market development.
Your Company was founded within 5 years immediately preceding the application
Your Company has earned less than $5M in revenue in last 12 months
You have customer engagement that validates the need and demonstrates that the team can attract and work with customers
Your Company is looking to incorporate in Canada.
You have 99 or fewer employees; preferably a co-founding team (of at least 2 or more) capable of product development, customer acquisition, and investment acquisition
If not already located in Southern Ontario, company has plans to establish a long-term presence in Southern Ontario
* 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 the Canada Catalyst Program to ensure that international companies are enabled to go global by growing and scaling in one of the fastest growing Canadian tech ecosystems. Learn more about Ontario’s York Region by clicking here.
No, we do not take any equity.
Through the Canada Catalyst Program, 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 the Canada Catalyst Program 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
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 4,500 jobs and raise more than $250 million in investment capital. At ventureLAB, we grow globally competitive tech titans that build-to-scale in Canada, for global markets.