The Pre-Startup Cohort is a joint initiative by Starta Canada and CBGA, designed for entrepreneurs who are ready to launch a new venture in Canada but haven’t yet assembled the right team. This program unites international participants with diverse skill sets and entrepreneurial ambition, helping them form solid founding teams and shape scalable business ideas tailored to the Canadian market.

Whether you have a concept in development or simply the right expertise and drive, we provide the environment and structure to move forward together.

Selected participants join a cohort of peers with aligned values and goals.
Through a guided process of collaboration and validation, you will:
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- Join a dedicated team aligned around a shared business vision
- Develop and test your business model with real market feedback
- Build a clear strategy to enter and operate in the Canadian market

Each cohort includes practical workshops, team-building exercises, and guidance from experienced mentors with firsthand knowledge of the Canadian startup landscape.

This program is for you if:

- You have a business idea but need the right team to move forward
- You bring technical or leadership experience and are looking for a promising project to join
- You’re focused on expanding in Canada and want to collaborate with founders who share that goal

Participants will leave the program with:

- Trusted co-founders aligned around a shared commitment to building in Canada
- Expert support during the most critical early-stage decisions
- A practical understanding of launching in Canada, gained through real-time workshops and feedback from active investors and advisors

Participants whose teams demonstrate strong alignment, traction, and potential may be considered for support in the Start-Up Visa application process. If your project meets our internal standards, we’ll facilitate connections with designated organizations and help you prepare for each step of the permanent residency pathway.

Participation in the cohort does not automatically qualify you for Start-Up Visa endorsement or our support beyond the program. Starta Canada and CBGA evaluate all applicants and teams individually and may discontinue participation for lack of engagement, failure to meet expectations, or insufficient business potential.

Once we receive your application or resume, our joint team will assess your background and fit. Candidates who move forward will be invited to a short online interview. This session offers a closer look at the cohort, helps us introduce you to other potential founders, and outlines what comes next.

As space is limited, early applications are encouraged.