STARTUP AND STUDY IN CANADA

World class incubation and education

Conestoga College is offering a unique opportunity for international tech founders in collaboration with Canada’s Tech Supercharger: Communitech.

Join the Venture Lab for Global Tech within Conestoga’s Entrepreneurship Collective to access a customized incubator program focused on internationalizing your business in the Canadian market. This program also provides a pathway to membership in Communitech and access to resources for scaling your venture.

This program is free for international tech founders who are studying at Conestoga College. Upskill or address skill gaps by choosing from a range of post-graduate academic programs.

VENTURE LAB FOR GLOBAL TECH

Incubator program

  • 8-month personalized roadmap
  • 1:1 coaching
  • Group coaching
  • Curated mentorship
  • Onboarding to scale-up programming at Communitech

Support services

  • Access to Conestoga Research Centres
  • Intellectual property consulting
  • Legal consulting
  • AWS credits

Amenities

  • Free co-working space
  • Bookable meeting rooms
  • Free coffee, tea and water

Community

  • Networking events
  • Application coaching for accelerators
  • Introductions to investors and key contacts
  • Access to ongoing mentorship

ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING

Conestoga College is a leader in polytechnic education and is consistently ranked among the very best of Ontario’s colleges. Offering over 270 full-time programs, including more than 100 graduate certificate programs across multiple campuses, our approach to education is unique: small class sizes and hands-on, project-based learning, with a focus on experiential and work-integrated learning. Select the program that is right for you and complements your goals of starting a business in Canada.

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Explore Conestoga College

How to apply

Find out more about admission requirements, fees and payment and access to student awards.

Learn More

Search programs

Upskill or fill a skill gap. Over 100 Graduate Certificate programs available.

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Why Canada and Waterloo Region?

Explore the Silicon Valley of the North.

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Tour Conestoga campuses

Conestoga has campuses across 6 cities, 3 in the heart of the tech ecosystem.

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Testimonials

"My experience with the Venture Lab for Global Tech program was exceptional. From the beginning, I was impressed by the level of interest and commitment from my coach, who played a key role in my progress and success."
Henrique Bilbao
Henrique BilbaoCEO at Ezok
"Participating in the Venture Lab for Global Tech was transformative, with dynamic sessions and specialized mentoring that accelerated our startup. Our coach provided strategic guidance and valuable insights, guiding us every step of the way to being a successful startup in Canada."
Guilherme Rossoni
Guilherme RossoniCEO of Harpa Global
"Participating in the Venture Lab for Global Tech at Conestoga College was the boost I needed to become an entrepreneur. The weekly sessions and structured 'road map' give you a step-by-step guide to developing your business. My mentor was crucial to this process – her insight and direction made all the difference!"
Polly Gomides
Polly Gomides CEO at Escala Solutions
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"My experience with the Conestoga Lab program was exceptional. From the beginning, I was impressed by the level of interest and commitment from my coach, who played a key role in my progress and success."
Henrique BilbaoCEO at Ezok
Henrique Bilbao
"Participating in Venture Lab was transformative, with dynamic sessions and specialized mentoring that accelerated our startup. Our coach provided strategic guidance and valuable insights, guiding us every step of the way to being a successful startup in Canada."
Guilherme RossoniCEO of Harpa Global
Guilherme Rossoni
"Participating in the Venture Lab at Conestoga College was the boost I needed to become an entrepreneur. The weekly sessions and structured 'road map' give you a step-by-step guide to developing your business. My mentor was crucial to this process – her insight and direction made all the difference!"
Polly Gomides CEO at Escala Solutions
Polly Gomides
Previous
Next

READY TO START YOUR JOURNEY?

To participate in the STARTUP AND STUDY IN CANADA program, international tech founders must:

  • Apply, and be accepted into the Venture Lab for Global Tech incubator
  • Apply, and be accepted to an academic program at Conestoga College and secure all necessary prerequisites

STEP ONE:

Fill out the form to connect with a program representative for more information.

Contact

STEP TWO:

Eligible companies complete an application to the Venture Lab for Global Tech incubator. Interview with evaluators.

STEP THREE:

If accepted, receive a Letter of Acceptance from the Venture Lab for Global Tech incubator.

STEP FOUR:

Choose the academic program(s) you are interested in taking.

Choose Here

STEP FIVE:

Prepare documentation to apply to Conestoga College.

Apply

STEP SIX:

Apply to Conestoga using the OCAS portal and receive your Letter of Acceptance.

Apply

STEP SEVEN:

Create an IRCC account and apply for a Study Permit.

Create Account

STEP EIGHT:

Secure your Study Permit and find support for your journey to Canada.

Secure Permit

STEP NINE:

Make settlement plans and connect with an International Student Immigration Advisor.

Learn More

STEP TEN:

Start your studies and join the Venture Lab for Global Tech in Canada.

Book A MEETING

Please complete the form below and a representative will contact you to discuss eligibility and answer your questions.

FAQ

You have access to a world class education and incubation in one. 

You will be able to upskill or fill skill gaps by studying at Conestoga College, one of Canada’s top colleges and leader in polytechnic education while having the opportunity to internationalize your business in the North American market in the Venture Lab for Global Tech incubator in the Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective. 

Every Venture Lab for Global Tech roadmap is customized to the needs of the individual business and founder. Whether your business is looking to grow revenue, expand its user base or leverage local talent, we can help. 

Companies that apply for the Venture Lab for Global Tech program should be tech companies but they can be from any industry. The Venture Lab for Global Tech program is platform agnostic and companies can be software, hardware or middleware based. 

By participating in the Venture Lab for Global Tech program you will benefit from our relationships with organizations in the ecosystem. This program is offered in collaboration with Communitech, Canada’s Tech Supercharger, home to over 1200 tech companies in the region. Acceptance into the Venture Lab for Global Tech program  includes membership to Communitech and access to their scaling resources and space. 

Search for the program that you are interested in to see the associated fees.  Here

You can also look here for a tuition fee estimate for 23-24. Here

The 8-month Venture Lab for Global Tech incubator is FREE, as long as you are a student at Conestoga College. 

It is important to be prepared for living in Canada and Waterloo Region as the cost of living may be different from what you are used to in your country. Click below to see costs for the region.

Click here.