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Start Your Journey
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Launch & Grow Your Business in Canada

Get expert-led training and one-on-one mentorship to establish and scale your market-ready tech venture in Canada through the Start-Up Visa program. Secure your spot in the next cohort.

Join Waitlist

Empowering Startup Founders & Teams

The Innovation Cluster’s STARTup VISA Program is proudly one of Canada's few rural business incubators recognized and supported by the Government of Canada. We empower startup founders and teams at every stage of their entrepreneurial journeys.

 

122

startup
teams

370

founders
accepted

500+

mentorship
hours

22

permanent residencies

38

work
permits

Everything You Need for Success

As a STARTup VISA client, you’ll receive full access to all of the Innovation Cluster’s resources.

Knowledge Transfer

Essential Business Knowledge

Gain the essential business knowledge and mentorship needed to successfully establish and grow your startup in Canada.

Mentorship

One-to-One Mentorshorship

Receive expert guidance to launch your business, prepare for long-term success in the Canadian market, and secure your permanent residency.

Network

A Strong Innovation Network

Build a strong network within Canada’s innovation ecosystem, connecting with industry experts, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs.

Our Founder Success Stories

"The STARTup VISA Program was invaluable to me. As entrepreneurs, we often focus on the immediate future, but this program helped me develop a vision for sustainable growth. It’s been a game-changer for my business."

Federico Arellano

Co-Founder, Pitch Jams
Federico Arellano
“The Innovation Cluster is more than just a startup hub—it’s a true partner in your entrepreneurial journey. Their incredible network of mentors and partners covers everything from business strategy and marketing to AI, software development, and even immigration support. But what truly sets them apart is how much they genuinely care."

Negin Babaei

CEO, ProperTech Solutions
Negin Babaei
"For entrepreneurs considering the STARTup VISA Program, I would highly recommend it based on my experience. The Innovation Cluster's focus on supporting small businesses in migrating to Canada and helping them achieve their goals is commendable. Their expertise and dedication make them an invaluable resource for anyone looking to establish themselves in the Canadian market."

Hamed Kakaei

CEO, SoonPay
Hamed Kakaei

Kick Start Your Journey. Then Go at Your Own Pace.

It doesn’t matter if you’re waiting to come to Canada or if you’re already here on a work permit. Our program meets you where you are and can move as fast or slow as you want.

Phase 1

3-Month Virtual Accelerator

Get started with a structured 3-month program featuring 25+ expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and strategic business support to prepare for success in Canada.

Phase 2

Self-Paced Incubator

Move into a self-paced incubation program until IRCC makes a decision on your Permanent Residency. You’ll have access to a dedicated business advisor, industry experts, and valuable resources to help grow your business.

The Knowledge to Grow Your Business in Canada

You’ll complete your virtual accelerator with the knowledge you need to launch your business in Canada—including fundamentals and planning, operations, legal essentials, strategic growth, and how to scale.

Planning
Fundamentals & Planning
  • STARTup VISA Program & Immigration
  • Market Research
  • Business Model Canvas
  • Business Planning
  • Strategy
  • Cash Flow
  • Product Development
  • Intellectual Property
Operations
Operations & Legal Essentials
  • Incorporation
  • Business Banking
  • Taxes
  • Employment Basics
  • Real Estate (Rental/Commercial and Purchasing)
  • Networking
Progress
Strategic Growth & Scaling
  • Customers
  • Go to Market Strategy
  • Marketing Plans
  • Branding
  • Selling
  • Scaling your Business
  • Pitching Your Business
  • External Investment (Angel, VC & Grants)

STARTup VISA Requirements

To qualify for our STARTup VISA program, applicants must meet all requirements set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) along with additional criteria defined by the Innovation Cluster.

IRCC Requirements

Eligible Business: Your business must be tech-based, innovative, scalable, and capable of creating jobs for Canadians.

Language Proficiency: All applying founders must meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 5 in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in either English or French.

Business Ownership: Founders must collectively own at least 51% of the company’s shares, with each founder holding at least 10% individually.

Team Size: Your business must have 1 to 5 co-founders applying under the StartUp Visa program.

Financial Requirements: You must demonstrate you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependents while settling in Canada.

Immigration Status in Canada: If applying from within Canada, you must have valid immigration status.

Letter of Support: You must receive a Letter of Support from a designated entity (such as the Innovation Cluster) that will endorse your business idea.

See the complete list of IRCC’s eligibility criteria.

Innovation Cluster Requirements

Own a High Potential, Tech-Based Business: Your business must be innovative, sustainable, and scalable.

Align with Our Sector Focus: Your business should be in Agritech, Aquatech, Cleantech, Health/Medtech, Nuclear Tech or Digital IT and possess valuable Intellectual Property (IP).

Have Product Validation or Customer Traction: We prioritize companies with at least a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and early customer traction. We'll consider earlier-stage businesses with high-potential innovations and development capability.

Commit to Participation: You must be actively engaged in growing your business in Canada and fully participate in all program activities, including workshops, mentorship, and networking.

Be Willing to Learn & Collaborate: We seek entrepreneurs who are determined, eager to learn, and open to collaboration within our startup community.

Sign a Contract: You must sign a contract committing to participate in our 3-month virtual program and self-paced incubation program.

Be Ready to Relocate to Canada:  We strongly encourage settling in the Peterborough and Kawarthas region to access all of the Innovation Cluster’s services and resources.

 

4 Steps to Get Started

1
Application

Submit your application. Be sure to include business documents (business plan, pitch deck, financial projections, etc.), team members’ personal documents (language test results, proof of funds, CVs, etc.), and any other supporting materials for initial review.

2
Assessment

Qualified applicants will be invited to an interview to assess their business potential, team capabilities, and alignment with our program.

3
Acceptance

Selected applicants will receive an official acceptance from the Innovation Cluster to participate in the STARTup VISA program.

4
Letter of Support

Once you’ve submitted all mandatory business and personal documents, our team will schedule a meeting to review your application and assess your readiness to receive the Letter of Support.

2025 Program Timeline

  • Applications Close: March 15, 2025
  • Cohort Kick Off: April 15, 2025

FAQs About the STARTup VISA Global Entrepreneur Incubator

Don’t see your question? Feel free to reach out to our program team.

Zahra Shafiei 
Program Lead, International and Domestic

zshafiei@innovationcluster.ca


Ann-Majella Mckelvie
Program Coordinator

ammckelvie@innovationcluster.ca

What is the STARTup VISA (SUV) Program?

The StartUp Visa (SUV) Program is a Canadian immigration program that allows innovative entrepreneurs to establish their businesses in Canada while working toward permanent residency.

Who is eligible for the SUV Program?

To qualify, you must have an innovative, scalable, tech-based business, secure support from a designated organization, meet language requirements, and have sufficient settlement funds.

What types of startups are eligible to apply?

Innovation Cluster accepts applications from tech-based and innovative businesses operating in sectors such as agritech, cleantech, health/medtech, nuclear tech, or digital IT. Service-based companies are not eligible.

Ready to Grow Your Startup in Canada?

The Innovation Cluster is here to help. Join the waitlist for our 2026 STARTup VISA cohort.

Join Waitlist