Platform Calgary’s Global Startup Visa program is for entrepreneurs from around the world who are looking to bring their innovative tech or tech-enabled businesses to Canada.
As a member of Canada’s Tech Network, startups applying to the Global Startup Visa program through Platform Calgary will receive priority processing.
Platform Calgary's Global Startup Visa is for entrepreneurs from around the world who are looking to bring their innovative tech-based or tech-enabled businesses to Calgary.
The Startup Visa (SUV) program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Calgary that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians and can compete on a global scale. Learn more about SUV eligibility.
The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (FGES) is an economic immigration program that nominates talented and qualified foreign-educated graduates (within the past ten years) from outside Canada for permanent residence once they have launched their startup or innovative business in Alberta. Learn more about FGES eligibility.
Please note, the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada have additional eligibility requirements. See here for SUV and for FGES. There is no guarantee that by attending this program participants will be nominated for the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream or accepted into the Startup Visa program.
Platform Calgary’s Global Startup Visa program is for entrepreneurs from around the world who are looking to bring their innovative tech or tech-enabled businesses to Canada.
Strong Networks
Our association with trusted immigration and business professionals demonstrates our commitment to supporting your venture and strengthens your application's legitimacy. Our Partners and Pillar Team, including KPMG Law– are well-known, influential companies.
Founder Focused
When you succeed, we succeed. We give entrepreneurs the tools they need to move, scale, and thrive in Calgary, and internationally.
Soft Landing
Once you arrive in Calgary, we support you with access to the Platform Innovation Centre community, personalized accelerator programs, credits for outside workshops, and other startup development incentives.
This three-phase program begins with an application process where you'll assess eligibility and complete an application form. If you meet the program's requirements, you'll progress to interviews with Startup Advisors, ultimately leading to acceptance into the program.
Once enrolled, you'll follow a structured timeline, including business plan reviews, legal consultations, and preparation for your move to Calgary.
After landing in Calgary, we offer one year of in-person support, coaching, and networking opportunities to ensure a successful integration into Canada's tech ecosystem.
If we choose to support the business, we will issue a Letter of Support and Commitment Certificate for those going through SUV and a Recommendation Letter for those going through FGES.
Platform Calgary is a non-profit organization and will not take any equity.
When applying to our program, applicants must select to be in either SUV or FGES streams, but they are able to switch throughout the program if they decide the other is a better fit.
No, this is a business scaling program – we help you strengthen your business plan and our Letter of Support/Recommendation Letter is a requirement when you apply to the government, and adds legitimacy to your individual SUV/FGES application.
The review process can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks based on time of submission. Please note that this time may be longer or shorter depending on workload
If we do not accept your application, we will contact you.
We want each participant to take the program seriously, so payments will not be refunded. The only way participants will not move forward in the program is if they are not completing what is required of them.
No, we only accept companies that have an MVP.
Platform Calgary is recognized by the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada as a designated programming organization to connect your business with appropriate networks, provide business counseling, and officially endorse your business during the immigration process.
The cost of the Global Startup Visa Program is per business. However, some additional fees outside of the program fee (immigration fees, etc.) may vary based on the business.
Total Cost = $30,000 CAD
Get top-tier results without the top-tier price. Our program sees higher than average success rates than similar programs while being priced competitively.
The Global Startup Visa Program runs three times per year. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis – if you miss a deadline, your application will automatically be submitted for the next cohort. Please note, incomplete applications will be automatically rejected.
2024 dates:
Tanuja Khanolkar, Co-Founder and COO, EMeRG Medtech
Prabh Paul, Founder, Tracecost
Farzan Havaee, CEO, Rambody
Platform Calgary’s Global Startup Visa program is for entrepreneurs from around the world who are looking to bring their innovative tech or tech-enabled businesses to Canada.