1 - Discover if You Qualify for the Startup Visa Program in Canada: Eligibility & Business Ideation Session
Before embarking on the Startup Visa journey, assessing whether you meet the eligibility requirements and ensuring your business idea aligns with the program’s criteria is essential.
✅ Validate Your Business Idea – Ensure your startup concept is innovative, scalable, and aligns with the Canadian market.
✅ Assess Your Team & Cofounders – The Startup Visa Program requires a strong, committed team. We evaluate whether you have the right cofounders with the entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed.
✅ English Proficiency Check – We assess whether your language skills meet the minimum (CLB 5) requirement for the incubation program and PR application. If needed, we provide guidance on language improvement options.
✅ Understand the Financial Investment – We provide a transparent breakdown of the costs involved in the journey, from business incorporation to incubation fees, immigration processing, and required proof of funds.
✅ Get Familiar with the Next Steps – We walk you through the entire process so you know exactly what to expect in each phase, from incubation to securing PR and scaling your business in Canada.
This session ensures you are fully prepared before moving forward with the next steps in your Startup Visa journey.
Before joining an incubator program under the Startup Visa, we guide you through a Pre-Incubation Process designed to refine your idea, adapt your business model, and navigate the Canadian market effectively.
2 - Initiate the Pre-Incubation Process
Our Pre-Incubation Phase focuses on ideation, validation, and adaptation, ensuring your startup is well-prepared before entering an incubation program.
What We Do in Pre-Incubation:
✅ Ideate or Adapt Your Business Model – Shape your business concept to align with Canadian market requirements and incubation program expectations.
✅ Business Canvas & Pitch Deck Development – Work collaboratively in group meetings with Innova in Canada to validate your Business Canvas and draft your first Pitch Deck.
✅ Market Validation & Positioning – Assess problem-solution fit using Design Thinking principles and validate your startup’s value proposition.
✅ Access to Checklists & Resources – Receive exclusive tools to help you confidently navigate the Startup Visa process.
✅ Expert Insights & Strategy – Get valuable guidance, tips, and practical steps to increase your chances of acceptance into an incubation program.
Once your Pitch Deck and business model are solidified, you’ll be ready to present your idea to an incubator.
3 - Screening Session with the Incubator
Before entering an incubation program, your startup must undergo a screening session where the incubator evaluates your project’s viability. This step determines whether your startup meets the incubator’s expectations and the Startup Visa Program criteria.
How We Support You in the Screening Process
The incubator will assess:
Innovation & Market Potential – Does your business offer a unique and scalable solution?
Business Model & Strategy – Is there a clear roadmap for growth and sustainability?
Cofounder Team & Execution Capability – Does your team have the right expertise and commitment?
Since each incubator has different processes and selection criteria, preparation is key—and that’s where Innova ensures you are fully ready.
How Innova Supports You in the Screening Process
Step 1: Incubator Program Matching
We help you identify and connect with the right incubator for your business based on factors like:
✅ Program structure – Online, hybrid, or in-person incubation.
✅ Industry focus – Tech, healthcare, SaaS, manufacturing, etc.
✅ Resources & expectations – Additional mentorship, investment opportunities, and requirements.
Step 2: Pitch Session Coordination
Once the right incubator is selected, we secure a screening session and guide you through what to expect, ensuring you understand the evaluation process.
Step 3: Pitch Refinement & StorytellingTo maximize your chances of success, we work with you to:
✅ Fine-tune your pitch – Strengthen clarity, persuasiveness, and alignment with incubator expectations.
✅ Incorporate storytelling techniques – Make your pitch compelling and memorable.
✅ Highlight key aspects of your business – Emphasize innovation, scalability, and market opportunity.
🚀 With our structured approach, you confidently enter the screening session—fully prepared to secure your spot in the incubation program.
If your project is accepted, you will move to Phase One: Requesting the Letter of Support.
4 - Phase One: Requesting the Letter of Support
The Letter of Support is a crucial document in your Startup Visa journey. It assures immigration authorities that your business meets the Startup Visa Program criteria and that a designated incubator supports your venture.
You cannot apply for your Work Permit or Permanent Residency without the Letter of Support. That’s why Phase One is essential—and why having Innova by your side makes all the difference.
Once accepted by an incubator, your startup enters Phase One, where you finalize your Business Plan and fulfill the requirements set by the incubator before receiving the Letter of Support.
Incubator's Role & Commitment as a Designated Institution
Since incubators are designated institutions under the Startup Visa program, they commit the Canadian government to ensure that entrepreneurs receive the minimum required content before issuing the Letter of Support.
This means that in Phase One, the incubator must deliver essential content covering:
Educational resources – Workshops, mentorship, and insights to help you understand the Canadian market.
Business validation and review – Ensuring your startup meets its program requirements.
Hands-on support in business development – Helping you strengthen your strategy, refine your business model, and prepare for growth.
Pitch preparation and assessment – Some incubators require an additional evaluation of your startup’s viability.
How Innova Supports You in Phase One
While incubators provide valuable guidance and structured support, navigating this phase can still be challenging for foreign entrepreneurs, especially when adapting to the Canadian market, business culture, and legal processes. That’s where Innova steps in as your dedicated advisor, ensuring you meet every requirement smoothly.
✅ We guide you in completing a solid Business Plan – A weak or incomplete business plan can lead to rejection. We work closely with you to ensure your Business Plan aligns with incubator expectations and immigration requirements.
✅ We handle the company incorporation for you – Incorporating a business in Canada can be complex. We take care of everything, ensuring your company is legally structured and meets all regulatory requirements.
✅ We support you in meeting all requirements to request the Letter of Support – Each incubator has its process, and some may ask for additional steps such as building a landing page, financial model, or market validation report. We anticipate these requirements and help you stay fully prepared.
✅ We are your bridge between the incubator and your Startup Visa goals – We facilitate communication, help you stay on track with incubator expectations, and make sure you don’t miss any steps.
✅ We make the process easier, more efficient, and stress-free. Instead of spending months figuring things out independently, you get a structured, proven system with expert guidance at every step.
Structure of Phase One
This phase is mostly 100% online since Startup Visa participants are foreign entrepreneurs who will likely travel to Canada after obtaining their Work Permit or Permanent Residency, both happening after the Letter of Support is issued.
By the end of Phase One, you will have:
✅ A finalized Business Plan
✅ A legally incorporated company in Canada
✅ Completed the minimum content required by the incubator
✅ A Letter of Support allowing you to apply for your PR and Work Permit
Once the Letter of Support is issued, you will be ready to apply for your Work Permit and Permanent Residency, officially moving into Phase Two: Immigration, Execution & Growth.
5 - Phase Two: Begin the Immigration Process and Secure Your Future in Canada
Once you receive your Letter of Support, you will transition into Phase Two, where the focus shifts from preparation to execution and business growth.
Once you receive your Letter of Support, you officially enter Phase Two, where the focus shifts from preparing your business to executing your vision and securing your immigration status.
While the incubator continues providing mentorship, networking, and growth opportunities, Innova remains by your side to ensure your immigration process and business development go smoothly.
With your Letter of Support (valid for six months), you can proceed with your immigration application. At this stage, you have two options:
✅ Option 1: Permanent Residence If you prefer a long-term stability approach, you can apply for permanent residency (PR) only, allowing you to settle in Canada once your PR is approved fully.
✅ Option 2: Permanent Residence & Work Permit If you want to move to Canada sooner, you can apply for both permanent residence and a work permit (WP). The work permit allows you to live and work in Canada while processing your PR application.
We will guide you in choosing the best path based on your business needs, personal situation, and relocation goals.
Requirements for Permanent Residency Application
To apply for permanent residency (PR), you and your co-founders must meet specific requirements and submit key documents, including:
📌 Letter of Support – Proof of acceptance into a designated incubator.
📌 Valid Passport – Ensuring all applicants meet international travel requirements.
📌 Biometrics Submission – Required for identity verification.
📌 Medical Examination – Ensuring health eligibility.
📌 Proof of Funds – Demonstrating financial capacity to support yourself in Canada.
📌 Criminal Background Check – Clearance from previous countries of residence.
📌 English or French Proficiency (CLB 5 Minimum) – Demonstrating language skills.
🚨 Important: Your PR application will be on hold until all co-founders submit the required documents. Processing time for PR is typically between two to three years.
🚀 Want to come to Canada sooner?
If waiting for PR is not ideal, you can apply for a three-year Open Work Permit (OWP) to be physically in Canada while your PR application is being processed.
Even though your business will already be incorporated and operational from Phase One, being in Canada offers significant advantages:
✅ Access to Local Business Ecosystems – Build in-person relationships with investors, mentors, and potential clients.
✅ Stronger Market Presence – Being in Canada allows for better networking, business development, and scaling opportunities.
✅ Immersive Experience – Enjoy the full benefits of Canada’s entrepreneurial environment, government support programs, and high quality of life.
✅ Team Relocation Flexibility – Some or all co-founders can choose to relocate, depending on business needs and personal preferences.
Applying for a Work Permit can accelerate your integration into the Canadian market, giving your startup the best chance to thrive while you wait for PR approval.
6 - Execute and Scale Your Startup in Canada
With your immigration process underway, this phase is also about executing your business plan and leveraging the incubator’s support.
During this period, you will:
✅ Launch & Scale Your Business – Start operating in Canada, refining your product, and gaining market traction.
✅ Develop Key Partnerships – Network within the incubator’s ecosystem to secure strategic collaborations.
✅ Seek Funding Opportunities – Connect with angel investors and venture capital firms and explore government grants.
✅ Leverage Incubator Resources – Continue accessing mentorship, training sessions, and accelerator programs.
Innova’s Role in This Phase
Create a Personalized Relocation Plan – Map out all key milestones, from PR application filing to business launch in Canada.
Plan Your Move – Get insights on housing, schools, healthcare, and essential services to help you and your family easily transition.
Organize Necessary Arrangements – We guide you on travel logistics, setting up a local presence, and other essential preparations before arriving in Canada.
Connect with Our Directory of Trusted Partners – We introduce you to service providers, schools for English or French language learning, relocation experts, and business service providers to ensure you have the correct support network.
Once the timeline is finalized, our work with you will be complete—unless you decide to continue working with us through our Startup Counsellor service.
Ongoing Support Through the Startup Counsellor Service
If you want continued guidance after Phase Two, you can opt for our Startup Counsellor service, which includes:
💡 Strategic Business Guidance – Ongoing insights to help navigate the startup journey in Canada, including market positioning, operational strategy, and growth planning.
💰 Funding & Grants Mapping – Identifying relevant government grants, investor opportunities, and funding programs for your business.
📊 Bookkeeping & Financial Planning Support – Ensuring your business meets compliance requirements, stays financially organized, and is ready for funding opportunities.
Otherwise, you will continue attending your incubator program, which can last one to two years, depending on the incubator.
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