Start-Up Visa

The Start-Up Visa program is offered in two stages to ensure we are preparing the businesses for success. The first program is Blueprint, an exclusive 6-week premium training and mentorship experience. This program is designed to empower early-stage global tech entrepreneurs with the opportunity to validate their startup concepts and translate them into viable businesses in the Canadian Market and beyond.

The second program is Launchpad, a year-long bespoke coaching and mentorship experience. This program is designed to provide strategic advice while ensuring progress is achieved on a consistent basis through tactical learning and executional approaches.

What to expect

By participating in the program, founders will unlock a comprehensive package of benefits, including interactive online workshops, personalized guidance from seasoned mentors, a collaborative community of peers, and a wealth of startup resources. Our goal is to guide you on the path to establishing a thriving business in Canada, making your entrepreneurial journey a success from concept to reality.

The program will help refine and validate your concept through interactive virtual training and curated mentorship. You will engage with industry experts to gain foundational knowledge in building and growing a technology startup and join a network of like-minded individuals to discuss business challenges in a peer-to-peer format. Complete the Blueprint program and join the Launchpad Program to get your Letter of Support.

Community

Upon completion of the 6-week cohort, select companies may have the opportunity to join the YSpace Launchpad Program which is a year long for continued growth through our support system.

Landing in Canada

Get access to work and live in Canada as Canadian entrepreneurs or Tech Professionals.

Letters of Support to apply for work permits and permanent residency are provided to founders in the Launchpad Program. Founders must successfully complete the Blueprint Program before applying to Launchpad.

Growth frameworks

Gain practical knowledge on customer development and go-to-market strategies to launch your product. See how other great startups in Canada did it.

Milestone driven

Actively work with peers and quality mentors toward the launch of your venture. Our programs are goal-driven, using proven frameworks that put founders in the driver seat while we help them reach their end destination.

Timeline

Blueprint (Stage 1) Applications

Blueprint stage is a rolling basis throughout the year. YSpace is focused on selecting the top-quality 10 companies for the Permanent Residency letter of support. We will only be accepting 10 to 12 companies.

Launchpad (Stage 2) Applications

*The Letter of Support will be issued at this phase*

Applications Open
This program has an open intake throughout the year via invitation only.

Applications Close
Selected ventures have a maximum of one year to complete the program.

Application process

Step: One

Companies apply online for the Blueprint program via the application form linked below or via Partner Website F6S.com.

If you have any questions about the application process, email us at yspace@yorku.ca

Apply Now

Apply on F6S

Step: Two

Schedule a video Meet and Greet with the YSpace team. An initial meeting will be set up to review the business as well as the current status of the company. This opportunity will also be used to understand the leadership team and concept viability better.

Step: Three

Selected companies will then be invited for a virtual pitch to the YSpace team followed by due diligence.

Pitch sessions take place on a rolling basis. You’ll be notified within two weeks after the pitch of your application status.

Step: Four

Accepted companies will be invited to join the Blueprint cohort.

Step: Five

Upon successful completion of over 80% of the Blueprint program, select businesses will be invited to join the Launchpad program and build their startups in Canada.

Ventures will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions about whether the program is right for you, email us at yspace@yorku.ca

Program eligibility

The founding team meets all IRCC criteria.
The Start-up Visa program serves early-stage founders (up to a maximum of 5) going through validating the feasibility of the concept in the Canadian market.
A website and Minimum Viable Product are required for program acceptance. We will be asking for a demonstration of the product.
We are looking for founders with innovative tech concepts. Founders who are driven, coachable, and collaborative with a growth mindset.

Frequently asked

We are looking for early-stage Founders who are driven, coachable, and have a growth mindset that is looking to set up their business in Canada. The ideal company is likely still in ideation or early validation phases, with a goal to validate their market and launch an MVP in the next 3 months.

No, the program is sector-agnostic. All the resources and support are focused on technology-based ventures across all industries.

The program cost will be $30,000 total for up to 5 team members ($10,000 for Blueprint and $20,000 for Launchpad). We do not take any equity in the company!

The program is open to everyone in the community, as long as they are dedicated founders who are willing to put in the committed time to grow the venture.

The Blueprint program operates throughout the year.
The program requires a commitment of 5 hours per week, specifically on Tuesdays and Thursdays, over a span of 6 weeks.

To graduate from the Blueprint program and proceed to the Launchpad program, founders must complete the Blueprint program with a required minimum pass score of 80%.

For the Launchpad program, it requires a commitment of 4 hours for workshops per month and a 30-minute monthly check-in meeting.

There are four (4) key components within the program:

Weekly Peer-to-peer sessions
Hands-on workshops with leading industry experts
Office hours with a private network of subject matter experts.
A dedicated mentor guiding your entrepreneurial journey.

A maximum of 10 ventures will be selected and recommended to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) each calendar year. These selected ventures will be put forward to the IRCC for consideration.

Apply

Applications for SUV are open. We accept applications on a rolling basis.

Please reach out to yspace@yorku.ca if you have any questions.

Apply Now

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YSpace is committed to working with emerging technology, agrifood, products and services. Get in touch today to find out how you can become a part of our community.

Contact us

For more information, please contact us at
yspace@yorku.ca
416-736-2100 ext. 44940