Ventures in Residence

Start-Up Visa Program

Applications are currently closed.

Application portal will reopen on May 13, 2024.

The application portal opens once every three months until the capacity of 150 applications is reached, typically within a week. YEDI assesses all applications within three months, those selected to move to the next stage of review will be invited to an online interview. An Expert Committee comprised of industry experts and partners will be responsible for evaluating applications based on set criteria. Selected candidates will be invited to participate in a formal due diligence process. Successful applicants will be issued a letter of support for their Start-up Visa application.

Please note, due to the high volume of applications this program is highly competitive. Kindly consider this when submitting your application.

Eligibility:

In accordance with Canada’s Start-up Visa requirements, YEDI is looking for immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:

  • are innovative
  • can create jobs for Canadians

  • can compete on a global scale

  • a good fit for our incubator community

If you are interested in applying through our VC stream, please review the eligibility requirements for our VC Fund.

Program:

All accepted applicants must become residents of one of YEDI’s Business Acceleration Campuses for a minimum of 12 months, upon arrival to Canada. Each entrepreneur will be matched with program advisors and mentors in order to provide guidance and assistance. Annual milestones are set and reviewed on a quarterly basis to ensure the venture is on track with its growth trajectory.

Industries:

YEDI is sector agnostic and will consider start-ups from any industry.

Location:

YEDI’s Business Acceleration Campuses offering office space including a co-working space for early-stage entrepreneurs, commercial, industrial, medical, TV studio and theatre spaces.

Program Fees:

  • $850 CAD per participant per month (12 month minimum commitment, payable upon acceptance).
  • $350 CAD per participant per month for YEDI International Program graduates.

These fees include access to co-working space, resources, mentors, networking events and much more.

* We value personal connections and encourage you to participate in our International program which allows entrepreneurs to become familiarized with Canada’s business landscape and meet with organizations supporting small business growth and development. Upon program completion, entrepreneurs will have the tools and expertise necessary to pitch and potentially bring their ventures to the Canadian market.

FAQ

There is no application fee associated with this submission. Should you be selected to receive a Letter of Support you will be invited to join the YEDI Business Acceleration campus for a minimum of one year. The fee for your office space will be determined based on your space requirements.

We open the application portal once every three months until we’ve reached the capacity and we process the applications throughout this time. Within two weeks of you applying you should receive a response. 

Participation in the International program is not tied to receiving a Letter of Support. The International program is a two week educational and exploratory program, meant to introduce international entrepreneurs to the Canadian business landscape. Program participation helps YEDI to know your Start-Up better and for participants to better understand YEDI’s selection requirements.

You must have an innovative idea or early stage business in order to apply.

In order to apply to YEDI, the business must launch in Ontario upon landing and the entrepreneur must be a part of the YEDI Acceleration campus for a minimum of one year. 

YEDI is scouting for innovative ideas at any stage of their cycle. “Innovation” strives to both solve an issue, as well as alter the system that initially gave rise to such issue. Startups from any field will be considered. See “Eligibility” for details.

See our “Privacy Policy” for the terms and conditions for program applicants.

Yes, you may apply as a team.

Have more questions about this program?

Contact us at info@yedi.ca