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TBDC’s Ontario Soft Landing Program is a 9 month startup incubation program that helps immigrant entrepreneurs relocate and grow in Ontario, Canada - powered by the startup visa
TBDC’s Soft Landing Program (SLP) is a 9-month virtual and in-person startup incubation program that helps immigrant entrepreneurs start businesses in Ontario. Our program acclimatizes business owners to the Canadian market and equips them with the knowledge and tools they need to hit the ground running in Canada.
The SLP is powered by the Canadian StartUp Visa (SUV) Program. The Government of Canada SUV Program offers Permanent Residency to immigrant entrepreneurs who want to start, build, and grow innovative businesses and use Canada as a gateway to world markets while creating jobs and adding value to the Canadian economy.
Entrepreneurs accepted into TBDC’s SLP will receive a Letter of Support (LoS) that makes them eligible to apply for and receive a Work Permit and Canadian PR.
TBDC is one of Toronto’s oldest business incubators, established by the City of Toronto with the support of the Province of Ontario in 1990. Since its inception, it has built a reputation as one of the leading business incubators in the country. To date, TBDC has helped over 9000 entrepreneurial businesses grow. Our network of experienced mentors, founders, and investors from Canada and the US are here to help you scale quickly.
TBDC is a designated organization by the Government of Canada for their Startup Visa Program. Our Soft Landing Program is offered in partnership with the Ontario Centre of Innovation.
The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians. As an ecosystem connector, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops, and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly skilled talent. OCI drives economic growth and job creation through investments in the development, commercialization, and adoption of advanced technologies.
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TBDC’s 5-step application process includes a detailed pitch deck, founder interview, panel interview and due diligence.
Applications are processed within 5-6 weeks. The final decision is made by TBDC.
Once accepted, TBDC issues a Letter of Support (LOS) to the entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurs can now apply for a Work Permit and Permanent Residence with the IRCC. If rejected, TBDC provides a full refund.
After you have submitted your Work Permit application, you will be invited by your venture manager to attend a session on immigration and register for virtual incubation. This Prepare Stage is a three-month virtual incubation where you will build your roadmap to launch in Canada.
Upon receipt of the Work Permit, the entrepreneur can immediately relocate to Ontario to startup.
After landing in Ontario, the entrepreneur can engage in the second and third stages of our startup incubation program.
By the end of the Soft Landing Program, our entrepreneurs have typically filed an IP, set up a pilot or launched their product or service in Canada.
Create an account, fill out the application, and submit a detailed pitch deck outlining your business idea and your Canadian game plan.
TBDC reviews your application. If selected, All founders must attend an interview to explain and defend their pitch deck and Q&A.
Shortlisted startups must submit the following documents within 8 days of selection:
Shortlisted startups are invited for a Panel Interview with TBDC mentors and advisors matching your industry. This includes a pitch presentation and Q&A.
TBDC shares the good news via email. Entrepreneurs receive a Soft Landing Program Agreement detailing the scope of the Incubation Program, as well as an invoice for the Program Fee Deposit (50% of 30,000 CAD + tax). The Letter of Support is issued at this stage so the entrepreneur can apply for their Work Permit and Permanent Residency.
In the first stage of programming, TBDC acclimatizes international entrepreneurs to the cultural nuances of Canada, identifies the right resources for research on the Canadian market, and gets them started on
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In Stage 2, TBDC mentors entrepreneurs about tactical business needs and gives them advice about business strategy. This results in a solid foundation upon which the entrepreneur can build pilot projects and attract business development opportunities.
Curriculum (Sessions, workshops & 1-on-1):
In Stage 3, TBDC connects you with municipalities, research centres, funding organizations, academic institutions, incubators/accelerators, investors, talent networks, and business support services as required.
Curriculum (Sessions, workshops & 1-on-1):
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