A 5-Week Program for International Students in Canada
Applications open for the next Cohort beginning on February 16th, 2022
Pitch for over $250K in Funding
Permanent Residency under Startup Visa Program
Access to VDI Platform
A 5-week program to help and support aspiring international student entrepreneurs.
This unique virtual program is designed specifically for international students in Canada, aiming to empower them with the skills required to become entrepreneurs. This short yet powerful program helps unleash the potential of your business idea and transform it into a full-fledged Startup.
Join Our Webinar
Entrepreneurship in Canada, Startup Visa Program for International Students
Host: Brent Lessard & Romelle Maluto
Educational webinar for International Students in Canada to learn more about:
- Entrepreneurship in Canada
- Startup Visa Program (Permanent Residency)
- How to raise funding for your Start-up through VDI’s Incubation Program
*Timing follows Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Program Duration
5 Weeks
2 Hours Session/Week
Early Bird
$490
Applications open for the next Cohort beginning soon February 16th, 2022
The program participants will gain the following:
- Official Certificate for LinkedIn and Resume
- Access to Mentors and Industry Partners
- A Chance to Pitch Your Business Idea and Raise Over $250K in Funding
- Get Internship Opportunity in VDI's Startup Companies
- Opportunity to Fast-track your Permanent Residency through the Startup Visa Program
Explore the opportunity to work in a startup environment and get paid internships in marketing & business development, market research analysis, and finance through VDI’s Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship program.
VDI's team of Mentors guide you in all aspects of the business including Team building, Leadership, Operations, Finance, Human Resources and Marketing
Peter Sutherland
Distinguished Diplomat
Former Canadian Ambassador: Philippines, India, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
Dennis Kibirev
Co-Founder of Frontier Funder
Growth Leader, Venture Advisor, Frontier & Emerging Market Startups
Matt Boardman
Startup Pitch Coach
Advised Over 250+ Companies
Scott Kress
Summitted Mt. Everest & 7 Summits
North Pole & South Pole. High-Performance Team Building
Jay Fisher
Professor - School of Business at Durham College
Business coach, advisor, and mentor to entrepreneurs
Shreya Gupta
NortonRose FullBright
Technology and Privacy Lawyer
Brent Lessard
Director of Programs & Operations
Winner of multiple international awards including from Province of Ontario, SpaceX, and Dubai Futures Foundation
What makes us unique?
Overall Alumni Statistics
What will you learn from the program?
Customer Discovery
- Identify customers needs/problems that need innovative solutions
- Market Research Methodologies and Tools
MVP Testing
- Developing innovative/technology-based solutions to customers’ needs/problems
- Customer Validation: Testing Assumptions & Hypotheses
- Developing an effective Go-To-Market Strategy
Business Model Validation
- Developing a solid business model
- Determining the right pricing strategies
- Understanding paying customers
- Validating business model
See What Our Students Say
Our Pricing Plan
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the Program, you must:
- Want to start a company in Canada and have a viable business idea.
- Be an International Student in Canada.
- Want to become a Permanent Resident in Canada.
- Be open to new ideas and guidance from Mentors.