Programs
International Accelerator
Startup Visa Pilot Program
“Your bridge to the
startup ecosystem.”
Welcome
International
Entrepreneurs
This program is for international entrepreneurs looking to base their business operations in Canada, specifically York Region.
The Treefrog International Startup Visa Pilot Program (SUV) is a 6-week program that provides a launchpad for entrepreneurs to successfully relocate to York Region. We do this through hands-on advisory support to ventures, soft-landing skill development, tailored education offerings and upon successful completion of the program, an SUV designation letter and commitment certificate.
Admission Criteria
- Your company can be business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C)
- Your company product/service must incorporate some type of tech (hardware and/or software)
- Your company stage is post-ideation, between the development of a minimum viable product (MVP) and achieving sales
- If your company is in the MVP stage, you need to demonstrate traction from interested customers and have raised at least $250,000 CAD from funding sources
- If your company has sales, you must have between $10-20K CAD per month in recurring revenue
- Your company has to demonstrate that you have a strategic plan to aid in relocating to Canada
- Your company must possess the team required to execute your business plan
What you Receive
The Treefrog International SUV Program is founder-first. We are focussed on supporting your business development through tailored programming, one-on-one mentorship and support, and access to world-class speakers and industry professionals.
By successfully completing the program we will provide a commitment certificate and letter of intent to support your permanent resident application.
The Process
- Review the program overview and determine if you meet the eligibility criteria
- Submit your application
- Our team will review your application and if you are selected, reach out to collect more information.
- If selected for the program, you will be assigned to an upcoming cohort
- Throughout the program, our team will support your journey and offer feedback and mentorship
- When you successfully complete the program, we will submit the commitment certificate and letter of intent on your behalf
Program
Cost
Upcoming 2022-2023
Accelerator Dates
Cohort S1
September 12, 2022 – October 13, 2022
Cohort S2
Fall 2022 – Now Accepting Applications
Cohort S3
Jan 2023
International Program Material Outline
Intro & Basics
- Program Introduction
- Starting Your Life in Canada
- Get to Know York Region
- Setting Up Your Business In Canada
- Business Ethics & Culture in North America
- Banking In Canada
- Canadian Startup Ecosystem Roundtable
- Government Relations & Policy
- Canadian Banking & Taxes
- Canadian Business Law
- Intellectual Property in Canada
- Employment in Canada & Employment Standards Act
- Culture of Selling in Canada
Sales, Strategic Partnerships & Culture
- Project Management
- UX Product Design
- Marketing Theory & Product Positioning
- Product Market Fit
- Pitch Practice
- One-on-one Mentor Check-In opportunity
What To Build & How
- Regional Program Introduction
- Pitching for Investment
- Lean & Agile Customer Development
- Pitching Structure
- Startup Ecosystem
- Pitch Practice
Investment & Finance
- Building an Enterprise Sales Process
- Hiring & Building Culture
- Corporate Law for Startups
- The Entrepreneurial Journey
- Pitch Practice
- One-on-one Mentor Check-in
Building & Marketing Your Startup
- Entrepreneurial Journey
- Human-Centred Design Thinking
- Product Roadmapping
- Business Model Canvas
- One-on-one Mentor Check-In opportunity
- Pitch Practice
Alumni Support
- Accounting & Taxes
- Government Grants & Loan Programs
- Angel Investors
- Seed Stage VC
- Partner Information Session
- Open House
- One-on-one Mentor Check-in
Weekly Schedule*
Week 1
Tuesdays
9:00- 10:00am
Wednesday
9:00- 10:00am
Thursday
9:00- 10:00am
Friday
9:00- 10:00am
Mondays
9:00- 10:00am
Tuesdays
9:00- 10:00am
Wednesdays
9:00- 11:00am
Thursday – Friday
We will only be running programming
Monday-Friday for the first week for the
International program. Remaining weeks will
be Monday-Wednesday.
*Dates and times are subject to change
**Participant may have one (1) 30-minute one-on-one mentorship session per week
International
Accelerator
Closing Words
Each cohort concludes with a virtual showcase and networking Open House event. Guests are invited to meet with the founders at their tables to learn more about their startup, or gather for a private conversation within the virtual event space. The events are attended by diverse stakeholders in the startup community, including investors, local government, entrepreneurs, and mentors. We’ve welcomed over 430 guests to our Open Houses.
Questions? Let’s Connect.