START-UP VISA CANADA Strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem
INTRODUCTION Team of tech leaders across Canada that work with industry, government and academia to foster collaboration between business incubators, accelerators, innovation hub, co-working spaces and other key stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem. SUNIL SHARMA CABI, EVP x
HOW WOULD AN IDEAL IMMIGRATION PROGRAM BE? Facilitate the growth Technology & innovation Attract talent
ATTRACTING TALENT There is notable trend: new founders are moving away from the traditional Silicon Valley setup and that creates a new opportunity to Canada. Prominent startup and innovation hubs like Berlin, EUROPE Stockholm, and London. Ireland (Future Finance), Spain (Cabify), and Denmark (Trustpilot), to name a few, all have at least one tech startup that has raised $100M+ to date.
ATTRACTING TALENT There is notable trend: new founders are moving away from the traditional Silicon Valley setup and that creates a new opportunity to Canada. EUROPE CHINA In early 2016, China became the largest Venture Capital firm in the world country has funneled $338 billion into startup investment funds.
ATTRACTING TALENT There is notable trend: new founders are moving away from the traditional Silicon Valley setup and that creates a new opportunity to Canada. EUROPE CHINA INDIA In 2015, overtook China in tech exits and now ranks in global top 5.
ATTRACTING TALENT There is notable trend: new founders are moving away from the traditional Silicon Valley setup and that creates a new opportunity to Canada. Canada is the newest El Dorado, jumping to number 3 spot in tech exits, behind US and UK. EUROPE CHINA INDIA CANADA Opportunity to become the next hotspot for tech. How: attracting talent and high potential companies to come to Canada
SHARE OF EXITS BY TOP 5 COUNTRIES US 58% 15% 10% 11% 5% 1% UK 56% 11% 10% 18% 4% 1% Canada 55% 23% 5% 9% 6% 2% India Germany 59% 63% 6% 14% 28% 13% 6% 3% 8% Internet Mobile & Telecommunications Software (non-internet/mobile) Computer Hardware & Services Electronics Consumer Products & Services 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
START-UP VISA OVERVIEW An investment of at least $75,000 from a designated angel investor group; An investment of at least $200,000 from a designated venture capital fund; or Acceptance into a business incubator program by a designated business incubator. Must be incorporated in Canada prior to or upon the issuance of PR visas; The program requires that the applicant has control over IP; Up to 5 applicants + spouse, common-law partner and children. 148 Applicants as of November 28, 2016 2,750 Applicants/year
THE INCUBATOR STREAM Most likely the greatest volume of applicants; Lowest threshold because there is no investment minimum; Flexibility to entrepreneurs who do not want to have their ownership diluted at the earliest stages; Needs to be administered responsibly to ensure a quality-focused mindset.
INCUBATOR STREAM CAN BE RESOURCE INTENSIVE: No investment minimum, but are proactively involved Even though no investment minimum, might take equity Need for neutrality Incubators need to show viability and sustainability without the SUV program
INCUBATORS ARE VITAL TO THE PROGRAM Highest intake of applicants; Incubators in Canada have incredible networks; Incubators are seen as enablers (not competitors) to entrepreneur ecosystem; Incubators generally host and are affiliated with lots of networking and educational events.
ADAPT THE PROGRAM TO WORK WITHIN THEIR EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE: Some incubators have additional criteria: Accelerator Centre in Waterloo - minimum of $250,000 in revenue over previous 2 years; Launchpad PEI, requires the business to be financially self-sustaining AND/OR open to Venture Capital investment; Important that SUV companies have access to the same resources as home-grown companies; When SUV companies relocate to Canada, deep networks of established incubators offer SUV companies new sales channels, strategic mentors.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT More visibility into whether designated entities are asking for any kind of fees from the SUV applicants - market standard in Canada is that start-ups are not paying to be a part of an incubator; Incubators must have strong local presence and service home-grown companies; Incubators that serve the Canadian ecosystem allows the SUV companies to be better plugged-in to the Canadian ecosystem Even if SUV company goes through angel investor stream, it would be useful for SUV company to be affiliated with an incubator.
SUCCESS STORIES Provides robust preclinical drug efficacy testing, clinical trial support and has grown to include 14 employees. Customer experience analytics suite, designed to increase websites s performance. Provide a UNIX based shell-script proprietary framework to facilitate the conversion legacy systems. A toolset to enable app developers to better engage their mobile app user base. Located in Halifax. All-in-one enterprise mobile communication and management suite for SMBs. 14 employees worldwide with its head office in Halifax. an application to access your computer via smartphone, which has been downloaded by 450K+ users.
THE PROGRAM DIFFERENCE Permanent Resident even if business fail; Lead to citizenship; United States provides entrepreneurs with a temporary two year visa (additional three years possible) if business demonstrates rapid growth, received significant investment of capital (of at least $345,000) from qualified US investors and offers "substantial public benefit.
ROUND-UP Start-up Visa program is a great tool for strengthening Canada s tech ecosystem. On a much broader scale, it also plays an important role in diversifying Canada s economy and creating another source of job creation. QUESTIONS?