Frequently Asked Questions
General
Startup Canada is an independent non-profit organization that works with private sector and government partners to build an environment for entrepreneurial success and deliver programs to support Canada’s 3.5 million entrepreneurs to start and grow. Startup Canada maintains its independence from government so as to be an effective vehicle for lobbying and advocacy on behalf of the sector. Our mission is to make Canada the best place to start and own a business.
There are several definitions of a startup. We like to think about it as a newly established business that intends to grow rapidly through providing an innovative solution that addresses a particular target audience. You can find some other definitions from Investopedia and Render Forest.
If you have experience and insights to share with Canada’s entrepreneurial audience, we would love to hear it! Please fill out the application form and if you’re a great fit, the team will contact you shortly. Startup Canada Podcast application form
Please note that the Startup Women Podcast is currently on pause and not accepting guest applications.
Visit our podcast web pages to learn more and to listen on a platform of your choice! Startup Canada Podcast | Startup Women Podcast
- To attend Startup Global, Startup Women, or Startup Gov webinars and other events, please visit the Events section of each flagship program pages (linked above) to register for your desired sessions.
- If you’re interested in being a featured speaker for a future webinar, please send us an email telling us a bit about yourself and your key area(s) of expertise:
- For Startup Global: global@startupcan.ca
- For Startup Women: women@startupcan.ca
- Join us the Startup Canada Tour – a national in-person event series connecting early stage entrepreneurs with ecosystem support organizations and industry experts to drive their businesses forward!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! Apply to be a volunteer at a Startup Canada Tour stop near you by filling out our Volunteer Application form.
Thank you for your interest in working with us! You can take a look at our Careers page, and also follow us on LinkedIn for job opportunity updates.
Newcomers to Canada
Canada is a great place to launch a business! Our multicultural society is home to a melting pot of cultures. The Canadian Startup Visa Program is just one program to assist immigrants, the Government of Canada web page explains the Startup Visa in great detail.
You should also consider exploring the list of designated organizations and help centre, also supported by the Government of Canada, regarding designated organizations and how to go about reaching out for support.
New Canadians are among the most innovative, entrepreneurial, export savvy, and digitally-literate business owners. They are more likely than those born in Canada to start companies, and are more likely to pursue markets beyond Canada and the United States according to Statistics Canada. Check out this list of resources for newcomers to Canada:
FedDev Ontario – Small Business Services
FedDev Ontario Business Guide for Newcomers
BDC Newcomer Entrepreneur Program
Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) Talent Programs
Resources and support
Startup Canada does not fund startups directly, however we’re happy to point you in the right direction to get funding. Check these resources below:
Pocketed: Create an account and Pocketed will automatically match you with eligible funding programs. They can also help you submit winning applications with their tools and insights, and even apply on your behalf!
National Crowdfunding Association: NCFA Canada is a non-profit financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners, and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada.
MaRS Discovery District: MaRS offers a range of products and services to help you find the funding you need to grow your business.
Ontario Centre of Innovation: OCI accelerates innovation through game-changing research leading to successful commercialization and vibrant collaboration between industry and academia helping to launch the next generation of products and jobs.
Real Ventures: Real Ventures supports game-changing Canadian founders from day one, helping them scale themselves as they scale their businesses.
FounderFuel: FounderFuel works to develop both the skillsets and mindsets of the founders shaping our future through game-changing technology. New founders learn and grow, hone their business models and stories and take their companies to the next level.
Inovia Capital: A venture capital firm that partners up with audacious founders ready to build enduring global technology companies. They serve founders with dedicated long-term mentorship, a talent network, and strategic support for scale.
Business Development Bank of Canada: BDC supports Canadian businesses with business loans and financing solutions for entrepreneurs, check to see if you’re eligible.
Canadian Grants and Business Centre: Find grants to sector-specific businesses and support for when you already have funding.
Canada’s business benefits finder: Find programs and services to help your business grow.
Key Small Business Statistics from the Government of Canada publication
Customer discovery is an important part of the business validation process. One tool for evaluating customer needs is the Value Proposition Canvas.
The Value Proposition Canvas should be used in conjunction with the Business Model Canvas to fully understand your customers needs and the products or services that will support the same. More information can be found on Strategyzer.
Starting and scaling up
There are several resources you can use as guides to starting up. We recommend checking out the following:
When incorporating your business, it is important to obtain legal advice as to the best structure for your business as well as whether it should be a federal or provincial corporation.
For provincial incorporations:
Full list of provincial incorporations
For federal incorporations:
The Government of Canada’s guide to Business Incorporation
When developing your business, one thing you will need is a business plan. Business plans consist of numerous sections, appendices and financial statements about your business. Each funding organization or bank may require you to adapt your plan to their format however, a basic business plan can be generated using a template for example Futurpreneur’s Business Plan Template or BDC’s Business Plan Template.
The Business Model Canvas by Alex Osterwalder at Strategyzer is designed to map existing business models and explore new business ideas. It requires more detail than the Lean Canvas and may be more difficult to use for some business types.
The Value Proposition Canvas should be used in conjunction with the Business Model Canvas to fully understand your customer’s needs and the products or services that you will offer.
The Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) is your resource for managing your intellectual property (IP).
In terms of patents, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has everything you could possibly need to know about patenting your product.
Thinking of going global? Make sure you protect your IP internationally. Check out Export Development Canada’s (EDC) resources and find out how they can help you with patents and copyright.
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