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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

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About Ontario
Soft Landing Program

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.

About TBDC

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.

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Sunrise on the Toronto harbour, with the Ontario Centre of Innovation Logo

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.

 For more information, Visit their Site

Soft Landing Program Curriculum

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

Curriculum (Sessions, Workshops & 1-on-1):

  • Company Incorporation
  • Gap Analysis
  • Immigration Support
  • Compliance and Knowledge
  • Roadmap to Canada
  • Cultural Sensitization
  • Introduction to Ecosystem
  • Communications Part 1
  • Coachability
  • Leadership / Values
  • Market Research Part 1
  • Grants + Funding Landscape
  • Go-To-Market Strategy

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):

  • Communications Part 2
  • Personal Branding
  • ASK definition Part 2
  • Banking
  • HR Compliance
  • Legal Considerations
  • Pitch Coaching
  • Market Research Part 2
  • Funding
  • 1:1 mentorship

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):

  • 1:1 mentorship
  • Strategic Introductions
  • Extended support

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