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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, a Startup Visa letter of support and commitment certificate.

Admission Criteria

    1. Your company can be business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C) 
    2. Your company product/service must incorporate some type of tech (hardware and/or software)
    3. Your company stage is post-ideation, between the development of a minimum viable product (MVP) and achieving sales
      1. 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
      2. If your company has sales, you must have between $10-20K CAD per month in recurring revenue
    4. You must have a comprehensive business plan detailing your business objectives, unique value proposition, competitive analysis and differentiators, financial statements and projections, and marketing strategy
    5. Your company must demonstrate that you have a strategic plan to relocate to Canada, including an IP or patent strategy
    6. 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

    1. Review the program overview and determine if you meet the eligibility criteria
    2. Submit your application
    3. Our team will review your application and if you are selected, reach out to collect more information.
    4. If selected for the program, you will be assigned to an upcoming cohort
    5. Throughout the program, our team will support your journey and offer feedback and mentorship
    6. When you successfully complete the program, we will submit the commitment certificate and letter of intent on your behalf

Program

Cost

The total cost of the program is a flat rate of CAD $25,000 + applicable taxes per company application submitted by the Founder. Please note that the cost does not cover immigration related costs. It covers the Treefrog Accelerator program, including IRCC Startup Visa administration, paperwork, coursework preparation and delivery.

Upcoming 2022-2023

Accelerator Dates

Cohort S1

September 12, 2022 – October 13, 2022

Cohort S2

November 14 – December 16, 2022*

Cohort S3

Jan 23, 2023 – March 7, 2023 – Now Accepting Applications

Cohort S4

TBD

Apply Now

* 5-week program, 4 days per week  

International Program Material Outline

Week 1

Building Your Business in Canada

  • 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
Week 4

Building & Marketing Your Startup

  • Project Management
  • UX Product Design
  • Marketing Theory & Product Positioning
  • Product Market Fit
  • Pitch Practice
  • One-on-one Mentor Check-In opportunity
Week 2

Business Basics

  • Regional Program Introduction
  • Pitching for Investment
  • Lean & Agile Customer Development
  • Pitching Structure
  • Startup Ecosystem
  • Pitch Practice
Week 5

Sales, Strategic Partnerships, & Culture

  • Building an Enterprise Sales Process
  • Hiring & Building Culture
  • Corporate Law for Startups
  • The Entrepreneurial Journey
  • Pitch Practice
  • One-on-one Mentor Check-in
Week 3

What to Build & How

  • Entrepreneurial Journey
  • Human-Centred Design Thinking
  • Product Roadmapping
  • Business Model Canvas
  • One-on-one Mentor Check-In opportunity
  • Pitch Practice
Week 6

Investment & Finance

  • 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

Monday

9:00- 10:00am

Workshop 1
10:00- 11:00am
Workshop 2

Tuesday

9:00- 10:00am

Workshop 1
10:00- 11:00am
Workshop 2

Wednesday

9:00- 10:00am

Workshop 1
10:00- 11:00am
Workshop 2

Thursday

9:00- 10:00am

Workshop 1
10:00- 11:00am
Workshop 2
Weeks 2-6

Mondays

9:00- 10:00am

Workshop
10:00- 11:00am
Workshop

11:30-12:30pm

Lunch & Learn

Tuesdays

9:00- 10:00am

Workshop
10:00- 11:00am
Workshop

11:30-12:30pm

Lunch & Learn

Wednesdays

9:00- 10:00am

Pitch Practice

10:00-11:00am

Pitch Practice

11:30-12:30pm

Lunch & Learn

Thursday – Friday

We will offer additional programming

on Thursdays and Fridays depending

on scheduling.

 

*Dates and times are subject to change

 

 

International
Accelerator

Closing Words

Each cohort concludes with a virtual or in-person showcase and networking Open House event. Guests are invited to meet with the founders 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.

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