I'm an American who started a startup in Vancouver, BC before this Visa existed. If anyone has any questions about doing that or would like suggestions/introductions to people in the area let me know.
Canada's Start-up Visa
231–240 of 249 posts
Re: Canada's Start-up Visa
#232Earlier quoted context omitted.
I actually want to set up a startup. But undecided on location, my current location will not do. I really want to go to valley, ideally get into YC itself, but the barrier to entry is high. How would you say is the startup culture over there in canada? How does it stack up against places like valley, london or NYC? Other and more accessible option for me is Banglore, no visa required (I am from India).
Ask yourself this: if you've never heard of startup culture in Canada, what is that indicative of? :) (Saying this sadly, as I'm a Canadian)
Shopify
Re: Canada's Start-up Visa
#233Earlier quoted context omitted.
That seems odd to me. BC has one of the highest income tax rates in Canada and Florida has no state income tax. Using the online paycheck calculators I get: $50K/yr in BC would net you $36,758 after taxes. $50K/yr in Florida would net you $38,296 after taxes.
BC has the lowest income tax rate of any province: http://www.ey.com/CA/en/Services/Tax/Tax-Calculators-2013-Pe...
Obviously things have changed since I was last living there!
Re: Canada's Start-up Visa
#234Summary of the conditions: - Secure $75k in angel funding or $200k in venture funding, from a list of designated Canadian funders. - Score relatively highly on a language test in either English or French, for both verbal and written ability (note that everyone must take this test, even those coming from English- or French-speaking countries). - Have satisfactorily completed at least one year of higher education (no d…
I had to do the English test as part of my Canadian permanent residency and it was oddly terrifying. English is my first (and only) language. Luckily it turns out I can speak the English reel gud. I now have a certificate to prove it! There were other people in my test group who couldn't follow basic instructions that were given out before the test ("Please wait over there", etc.). I imagine they didn't do so well.
I didn't take an English test when I applied as a skill worker for permanent residency (it's not my first language). It was heavily recommended to do so but I wrote a page outlining my work experience in the US, other test results etc and I didn't have any problem.
It was a bit risky because it was up to the official reviewing the application to accept it or not but I didn't feel like spending a grand and flying to another city for a day to take a test.
I don't know if things have changed and now a test is required without exception; all data indicate that not knowing well the country's language(s) is the main factor for not succeeding in it as an immigrant.
Re: Canada's Start-up Visa
#235Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, in US anyone can start a company, but the catch is, you can't work for it without proper work authorization. So, practically, this means you can't start a company if you are going to take an active operating role within the company.
Any reasoning behind it?
That's the law. The reason is, you can be a passive investor in a company, similar to buying stock in a company. This is allowed on any type of visa including H1B. But, if you are taking an active role, you are working for your own company and you cannot work for a company without work authorization. The work authorization could be CPT, OPT, EAD or H1B ( there might be other forms of work authorization I am only aware of these few).
Re: Canada's Start-up Visa
#236Summary of the conditions: - Secure $75k in angel funding or $200k in venture funding, from a list of designated Canadian funders. - Score relatively highly on a language test in either English or French, for both verbal and written ability (note that everyone must take this test, even those coming from English- or French-speaking countries). - Have satisfactorily completed at least one year of higher education (no d…
Isn't having 11k around a slightly high bar? Do most under 25 founders have that kind of cash lying around? And if you are the kind of foreigner that has that kind of North American cash in your account you probably come from a family who isn't hard up for Canadian citizenship or have already experienced some business success.
I've moved country twice, once from US to Australia and the other from Australia to Canada.
$11k is a crazy (as someone else said, irresponsibly) low number, even for an individual.
The number for 7 people is absolutely ridiculous, fyi. $29k for 7 people? Absurd.
Re: Canada's Start-up Visa
#237Earlier quoted context omitted.
So, a H1B holder working for an employer can start a company if they hold a small equity?
Yes, in US anyone can start a company, but the catch is, you can't work for it without proper work authorization. So, practically, this means you can't start a company if you are going to take an active operating role within the company.
Are you sure? I thought you could work for a company you start as long as you are treated like an employee (you can get fired, take a salary).
Re: Canada's Start-up Visa
#238Earlier quoted context omitted.
Pebble is the only one I've heard of on the list and their website claims they are in Silicon Valley, so I guess that reenforces my point? Additionally, I think it is quite reasonable to argue that Kickstarter is the source of their success, but Kickstarter is still not yet available to Canadians. Not until later this summer.
I was just trying to point out some of the big name startups that came from the Waterloo area (Disclosure: I am part of BufferBox and live in KW).
I live out in the country, but KW is nearby, which is why I find it so interesting that I cannot really name a single startup operating within. I feel like I have a closer connection to Silicon Valley, even though I've never been there. Is there something like HN for local startups?
Re: Canada's Start-up Visa
#239Earlier quoted context omitted.
I was just trying to point out some of the big name startups that came from the Waterloo area (Disclosure: I am part of BufferBox and live in KW).
I live out in the country, but KW is nearby, which is why I find it so interesting that I cannot really name a single startup operating within. I feel like I have a closer connection to Silicon Valley, even though I've never been there. Is there something like HN for local startups?
techvibes.com for canadian startup news.
Re: Canada's Start-up Visa
#240This might seem a bit superficial, but one of the reasons I fear a move to Canada is the weather; not the weather per se, but whether someone like me born in a tropical country would adjust well to the cold? I'm concerned that I would relapse into a depression ushered in by the winter blues (used to be depressed in my 20s, not sure why, it went away after 30, not sure why either), and lose my productivity. As a separ…
I can't speak for you, obviously, but I was born in Taiwan and moved to Canada as a child. The first winter was pretty brutal, but mostly because my family had to basically learn how to dress for winter weather, entirely from scratch. But it's a complete non-issue now. Keep in mind it also depends on where you settle in Canada. My family settled in Vancouver where the weather is fairly mild and rarely below freezing.…
Thanks for sharing! I'll try to hook up with some relatives in Toronto and see what they have to say!