The Program
We are excited to support international start-ups at any stage to immigrate, re-locate, or expand to Canada by providing the cross-sector knowledge and cross-disciplinary expertise to take them from idea through prototype, MVP, pilot, discovery, partnerships, and funding.
Our main goal is to empower start-ups to reach the next level. From optimizing your R&D, to raising funds from angel investors or VCs, reaching the product-market fit, or entering other well-known incubators, we guide you to that point by facilitating a virtual 8 module program which you may complete in 8 weeks to 8 months.
For each module, an expert ISM Consultant presents on a business topic and you complete a corresponding assignment to apply within your business through our in-house online course and Learning Management System while having access to a specialist mentor we assign. As needed, the modules will be complemented by workshops, opportunities to connect with other community members, Demo Days. If your product still needs work, our creative agency team assists with design an development hands-on in conjunction with your assignments.
As educators, we recognize that each person has a different learning style; as innovators, we recognize that each business has unique needs at certain stages. We customize your learning so that you have access to the right combination of synchronous vs. asynchronous, self-guided vs. structured, broad vs. focused, and hands-up vs. hands-on support throughout your experience.
Many Value Propositions through common Business Model Canvases miss the tangible process of human-centred product & service design that make innovations realistic, repeatable, sustainable, scalable, adaptable, impactful, and lasting. Our world-class mentors guide you in depth on developing your offerings end-to-end using the ISM methodology.
Modules
Learn and apply the ISM methodology in 8 modules of presentations and individual specialized mentorship.
Design Research
Define the challenges that drive the most value by examining the human-centred issues the project addresses.
Service Design
Establish the steps and support processes needed to deliver your solution by dissecting the customer’s core needs, challenges, frustrations, and motivations.
Product Market Fit
Ensure market validation by pinpointing the problem or pain point your offering is solving or addressing for the customer.
Product Management
Improve your offering through iterative prototyping, testing assumptions, managing risk, and continuing to innovate.
Ecosystem Building
Access resources and communities by designing a network of strategic partners across a range of organizations.
Management & Leadership
Learn to cultivate, sustain and retain teams by establishing core leadership values.
Business Development
Establish objectives, prioritize projects, measure performance, and maximize impact through proven frameworks such as OKRs, KPIs, and ICE methodology.
Funding Pitch
Identify and target opportunities to pursue angel investors, VCs, Micro-VCs, sponsors, and government grants by bringing together the outcomes of each module.
Resources & Awards
Depending on the stage and readiness of your business as determined by our program administrators and partners, you may receive the following upon onboarding to or completing our incubator.
Non-dilutive Funding
Personal advising to pinpoint all government or non-dilutive funding opportunities fit for your business in Canada.
Finance
In-kind consulting and discounted services to access loans, grants, tax credits, incentive programs, bookkeeping, and financing.
Investor Network
Access to exclusive corporate events, and opportunities to pitch for angel investors and venture capital firms.
Tech Credits
Sponsorship to adopt or optimize cloud and advanced technology with Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, IBM.
CRM Platform
Free multi-year access to a Customer Relations Management platform including sentiment analysis technology.
Immigration Consulting
Tailored direct referral for assistance with assembling your Permanent Residence and Work Permit application.
More About the Program
A warm introduction to the details of our approach, program features, and how our team can provide the education you need as well as help you hands-on to maximize the chances of success for your startup as well as a successful SUV application.