As many international entrepreneurs know, the process of building a global startup comes in stages; it is a journey of courage, adaptation and discovery. At Roseview Global Incubator, we’ve defined our own stages to reflect the journey taken by international entrepreneurs to guide founders from orientation to business confidence and independence.
We sat down with our dedicated RGI Client Liaison, Lucia, who walks alongside founders every step of the way. From their first introduction to Canadian life to the moment their businesses begin to take root. She has witnessed countless stories of transformation, both personal and professional, as entrepreneurs navigate the exciting, challenging path of bringing their ideas to a new country.
Roseview’s Start-Up Visa Program was built in alignment with the Government of Canada’s vision to “attract immigrant entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas who can create jobs for Canadians and compete globally.” Guided by this mission and the spirit of entrepreneurship, RGI developed a three-step program that immerses founders in Canada and empowers them to take their businesses to new heights.
Stage One: BASE Workshops
An acronym for Build, Acquire, Scale and Expand, the BASE workshops serve as a perfect place to test the waters and build a solid, trustworthy foundation. The name says it all; this is the stage where entrepreneurs establish their base.“This is our introductory stage where we give clients an overview of what to expect from the SUV process, as well as what business practices and expectations are in Canada,” Lucia shares. She explains that one of the key sessions in the BASE workshops is Canada 101, where clients receive an in-depth overview of all aspects of life in Canada adjusted accordingly to each team’s unique circumstances.
The BASE Program consists of six interactive 90-minute workshops, each with preparatory assignments, resource materials, and mentor-led discussions designed to lay the groundwork for success in both the Canadian market and the larger Start-Up Visa journey.
In essence, the BASE workshops are an excellent starting point for companies. Ensuring they understand the topics that they will need to apply in order to succeed in Canada. “I find it rewarding to get a chance to know my clients a little bit and to get a sense of team dynamics, as well as what might be challenging for them in the future, so I can monitor any potential challenges and assist if required,” Lucia shares. Ultimately, the workshops lay the foundation for long-term success, helping both teams and leaders build the awareness and adaptability needed to thrive in a new environment.
Stage Two: RISE Incubator
The RISE incubator is a self-paced program, tailored to meet the specific needs of the entrepreneur and business being launched. The Incubator is a chance for founders to work with their lead assigned mentor to identify their company’s unique strengths and weaknesses while strategizing. “A big focus here is on research and getting to know as much as possible about the market and their product market fit,” Lucia explains.
Divided into 12 interactive 90-minute meetings, these sessions are delivered by subject matter experts, seasoned business executives, and professional service providers. The RISE Incubator phase covers a broad range of topics such as developing a mission and vision, market and customer research, product positioning, finances, and so much more.
“I love it when I see clients taking the workbooks provided and thinking about how they can use the concepts and exercises to build their business strategies,” Lucia shares. Highlighting the impact these sessions can make when the founders are dedicated and engaged.
Working to recognize how all of the moving pieces fit together, founders and their teams begin to see the broader, interconnected picture and discover how different elements of business influence one another – whether it’s sales impacting marketing and finance, or product development shaping customer engagement. Through this process, they identify which areas of their business are well developed, what elements need further attention, and what their next steps will be.
Stage Three: RISE Accelerator
In the earlier stages, RGI client liaisons, mentors, and partners walk closely beside international entrepreneurs as they learn, adapt, and lay the groundwork for building thriving businesses in Canada. However, the Accelerator stage is when clients take the driver’s seat.
At this stage, the format shifts from structured curriculum to a more self-directed approach, with Roseview team members taking an advisory role, providing ongoing support and resources as clients launch their businesses.
“The Accelerator is when the company begins to drive the process for themselves,” Lucia shares. She explains that clients typically meet quarterly to discuss their progress, “the focus of this stage is for clients to take the business plan they developed during incubation and implement it, thereby launching their company.”
Even though founders move from a passenger to the driver, the pace and nature of the Accelerator Stage can vary greatly, depending on each company’s internal progress and external circumstances. While one company may still be working to develop their Minimum Viable Product (MVP), another may be focused on building its Canadian network, and others may be waiting on immigration approval, ready to launch the moment their status is finalized.
Lucia explains that clients can remain in the Accelerator and have access to meetings and support as required up to the time their PR applications are approved, but largely build their companies independently.
Who Is The Ideal Candidate?
With applications open, the ideal candidate for RGI’s SUV program is someone who appreciates the length and scope of the program,” Lucia says, “who has a product ready to go and experience in the startup world.”
She emphasizes that it’s important for applicants to understand the true commitment involved. The program is lengthy, challenging, and deeply transformative. It demands persistence, adaptability, and the capability to balance both the startup journey and the immigration process.
At the same time, Roseview’s team knows that no entrepreneur makes this journey alone. With an experienced, diverse network of mentors, liaisons, and subject-matter experts, every founder is supported at each step of the process. Here, determination meets community, and client wins are celebrated as collective wins.
Interested in embarking on the SUV journey? Sign up today: https://forms.monday.com/forms/a9bbf3e341fc9dc0d1ee09075b9f5e18?r=use1