Entering Canada as a foreign company is rarely about one decision. It’s a series of small, high‑risk steps: testing demand, meeting customers, understanding regulations, and deciding whether to incorporate. A soft landing program is designed to reduce that risk by giving you local support before you fully commit. For international tech companies, programs like Canada Catalyst SOFT LANDING by VentureLab offer a structured way to explore the Canadian market without immediate relocation.
A soft landing program supports international companies that want to enter a new market without setting up a full local operation on day one. In Canada, these programs are often run by accelerators, innovation hubs, or regional development organizations.
When you use a soft landing program to enter the Canadian market, you typically get:
Unlike grants, most soft landing programs are not direct cash funding. Their value is in access, speed, and risk reduction.
One of the most established soft landing options for international tech companies is Canada Catalyst SOFT LANDING: VentureLab.
The program is designed to help international companies validate the Canadian market and prepare for a long‑term presence, without requiring immediate relocation.
Based on VentureLab’s published criteria, your company must:
Companies without a working product, without revenue, or outside the DeepTech/HardTech focus are not eligible.
While not a grant, Canada Catalyst SOFT LANDING provides:
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter similar programs by province and industry in seconds, especially if you are comparing multiple soft landing options.
Using a soft landing program to enter the Canadian market works best when you already have traction elsewhere.
A typical sequence looks like this:
Market validation
You test customer demand in Canada through meetings, pilots, or partnerships arranged by the program.
Operational planning
You learn what it would take to incorporate, hire, and comply with Canadian rules.
Decision point
After the program, you decide whether to incorporate, expand, or pause.
Future funding alignment
Once established in Canada, you may become eligible for Canadian grants and tax credits such as SR&ED, which are not accessible before market entry.
This staged approach helps avoid the cost of setting up too early.
Assuming soft landing programs are grants
Most programs, including Canada Catalyst SOFT LANDING, are paid or equity‑free accelerators. They provide services, not cash.
Applying too early
If you don’t yet have a working product or revenue, you’re unlikely to qualify. These programs are built for companies ready to scale, not ideas.
Ignoring regional focus
Many programs are tied to a specific province or region. VentureLab’s program is focused on Southern Ontario.
Not planning next steps
A soft landing program is a starting point. Without a plan for incorporation, hiring, or follow‑on funding, much of the value is lost.
Q: Is a soft landing program the same as a Canadian grant?
No. Soft landing programs provide support, connections, and infrastructure, not non‑repayable funding. Canada Catalyst SOFT LANDING is an accelerator‑style program, not a grant.
Q: Do I need to move to Canada to participate?
No. The program uses a hybrid model, with one in‑person month. Immediate relocation is not required.
Q: How much does the Canada Catalyst SOFT LANDING program cost?
VentureLab charges a $17,000 CAD program fee, which covers programming, access, and support services.
Q: What counts as HardTech or DeepTech?
This includes hardware companies and enterprise or industrial software, such as robotics, advanced manufacturing, AI‑driven platforms, or infrastructure technologies.
Q: Can I apply for Canadian grants during the program?
While the program itself is not funding, participation can position your company to qualify for Canadian grants and tax credits after you establish a local presence.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and market entry programs across Canada — check which ones align with your business profile once you’re ready for the next step.
If you’re considering using a soft landing program to enter the Canadian market, start by confirming your eligibility and regional fit. From there, compare programs based on industry focus, location, and post‑program outcomes. GrantHub helps you identify which soft landing programs, accelerators, and follow‑on grants match your expansion plans — so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
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