Unlock your startup's full potential with our comprehensive three-week program designed specifically for newcomer entrepreneurs.
At TBDC, we don't just facilitate your entry into the Canadian market – we become your committed partner and give you the tools to put down roots and scale your venture in North America.
Whether you’re an international entrepreneur or a first-generation immigrant founder, our Land & Expand program is your fast track to success in Canada. The Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), provided TBDC with an investment of nearly $3.3 million to support the delivery of the Land & Expand program, which includes workshops, mentorship and training.
We offer specialized support to help you establish a strong business framework, foster meaningful customer and investor relations, and assemble a top-tier local team. Use Canada as your ideal testbed and make Land & Expand your strategic entry point into North America.
Challenges
Navigating Unfamiliar Laws
North American Market Entry
Finding the Right Sources of Funding
Building Your Local Network
Assembling a Local Team
What we
offer
Regulatory Support
Understand Canadian law, tailored for international startups. Learn about IP rights, tax obligations, and more to set your business on the right legal track.
Sales Coaching
Transform your market engagement in North America. From crafting pitches to mastering sales, elevate your skills with targeted sessions.
Funding Support
Unlock Canadian funding opportunities. Navigate through government grants and VC options, curated for international startups.
Networking Opportunities
Grow your network through 1-on-1 sessions, CEO luncheons, investor dinners, and ecosystem tours. Week 3 culminates in exclusive networking events.
Building your Core Team
Assemble and maintain a high-performing team in Canada with hands-on sessions on recruitment and team management.
Access to Founders & Investors
Meet our top-tier investors and founders who are dedicated to your success in this program
Blake Farquharson
Director, Innovation Programs at Elevate
Nouhaila C
Founder, Scaler without Borders
Kristy Sadler
SVP Marketing, Movement 51
Mohan Markandaier
Managing Partner, Good News Ventures
Yogi Yoganathan
Founder & CEO, Remitbee
Madusha Cooray
Program Manager, Google
Shane George
VP Sales, Borderless
Arunabh Dastidar
Founder, RealSage
Yashin Shah
Founder, SCOOTY
Rajan Bala
Head of Engineering, AWS
Mano Kulasingam
Managing Partner, Flair Ventures
Shivanu Thiyagarajah
Founder, TamilCulture
Neethan Pushpalingam
Partner, MNP
Wilfred So
Patent Agent, Marks & Clerk
Gbemi Akande
Managing Partner of Pacer Ventures
Ali Taiyeb
Industry Partnerships, Vector Institute for AI
Jon Christensen
Founder, Bidmii
Travis Ratnam
Founder & CEO, Knowledgehook
Program Overview
1Week 1
Date: 16th to 19th October (Virtual)
The first week of the Land and Expand program is an intensive virtual experience that gives international entrepreneurs the tools and knowledge they need to successfully establish and operate a business in the North American market. Each day features sessions where successful founders and investors offer practical insights.
Curriculum (Sessions, Workshops & 1-on-1):
Onboarding session
Intellectual property (IP) rights
Corporate accounting & taxation in Canada
Market entry strategies for North America
Founder sessions
Investor sessions
2Week 2
Date: 23rd to 27th October (Virtual)
In Week 2 we focus on honing the sales and pitching skills of international entrepreneurs to give them the tools they need to successfully engage with customers and investors in a new market. Throughout the week, participants undergo intensive sessions that cover everything from pitch crafting to negotiation skills. This week empowers participants to effectively communicate their business ideas to investors, close deals with customers, and establish a strong market presence.
Curriculum (Sessions, Workshops & 1-on-1):
Pitch crafting & storytelling
Sales fundamentals
Investor relations & communications
Market research & targeting
Founder & Investor sessions
3Week 3
Date: 30th October to 3rd November (In-Person)
During week 3, we dive deeper into the practical aspects of business operations and scaling. The week begins with a welcome session, followed by highly specialized sessions on public relations, metrics, and strategic planning. Special lunches with successful CEOs provide valuable networking opportunities for participants. Multiple ecosystem tours and visits provide participants with an inside look at Canada’s leading tech ecosystem, and into the third-largest tech hub in North America. Participants will learn about the various opportunities for public funding and grants, as well as how to build strategic partnerships. The week ends with a closing social event that is an excellent platform for networking and discussions on next steps.
Create an account, fill out the application, and submit a detailed pitch deck outlining your business idea and your Canadian game plan.
2Interviews
Date: 2nd & 3rd October
TBDC will review your application. If chosen, all founders are required to participate in an interview that includes a pitch session and a Q&A.
3Acceptance
Date: 4th October
The final decision on selected companies is made by TBDC. Founders are notified via email & receive a Land & Expand Programming Guide detailing the scope of the program.
4Letter of Support Granted
Date: 4th October
Once accepted, TBDC issues a Letter of Support (LOS) to the entrepreneur. Founders shall apply for Canadian Visitor Visa using the LOS.
5Virtual Onboarding
Date: 9th to 12th October
TBDC focuses on onboarding the selected companies, setting clear expectations for the program, and initiating the process of company incorporation in Canada.