What is the STARTup
Visa Program?

Our STARTup Visa Program is one of the few rural business incubators in Canada backed by the federal government.

We help entrepreneurs from other countries grow their businesses in Canada. This helps create jobs and economic prosperity for everyone.

Skilled knowledge that is

Trustworthy through an

Approachable environment with

Reliable mentors.

12-Month Incubation

After you arrive in Canada, you will go through our 12-month program to prepare you for startup success. The program has three parts:

1-on-1 Mentorship
Knowledge & Skills Training
Networking Opportunities

Program Requirements

If you want to immigrate to Canada with your startup, you must:

• have a business that is innovative
• a letter of support from us
• meet the language requirements
• bring enough money to settle in Canada

Click HERE for full requirement details.

Our Program Requirements

Peterborough
and the Kawarthas

Located 90 minutes northeast of Toronto and closely situated to the U.S. border, Peterborough and the Kawarthas is a region surrounded by nature, farmland, and more than 250 freshwater lakes and rivers.

Not only is the region beautiful, but it also has vibrant downtowns, prosperous businesses, and hardworking entrepreneurs that are encouraged by the community. Consequently, many businesses choose this region to start up, expand, or develop.

More than $1 billion into 1500+ Canadian companies in the last decade!

The Innovation Cluster was appointed as a Designated Entity of the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO), the Government of Canada’s partner that recommends which groups should be angel investors and business incubators. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship makes decisions based on these recommendations.

NACO is Canada’s only national platform for both angel investors and innovation hubs that support Canada’s entrepreneurs. It includes 4,200 angel investors, 44 angel groups, and 45 of Canada’s most prominent incubators and accelerators.

Cost

Please contact the Innovation Cluster for further information on the program fees.

If you pass and complete the 3-month virtual accelerator and milestone review, you will get a Letter of Support from the Innovation Cluster to begin your 12-month incubation residency. 

You can discuss with the Innovation Cluster staff any individual costs associated with the residency and different options within the incubation program.