Venture Acceleration Program

Status: Accepting Applications

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OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE

The Venture Acceleration Program helps technology companies accelerate the process of defining a proven business model for sustained profitability, and to help them effectively grow their business. The Venture Acceleration Program is a “paid-for” structured venture development service designed to guide, coach and grow ambitious early-stage technology entrepreneurs. It is delivered by a team of Executives in Residence (EIR) and supported by a province-wide network of mentors.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Executives in Residence

Executives in Residence is a coach matched with the entrepreneurs based on their knowledge and experience.
Primary point of contact for accessing other resources in the program and in the community.
Help build a level of accountability through the rhythm of meeting every 2 weeks to specifically discuss challenges, opportunities and objectives for the next 2 weeks.
See below to know more about them.

Experts

Quarterly Forums

Peer Groups

Learning and Connecting

Clients have access to workshops, seminars and other structured educational programs that provide knowledge, facilitate learning and share information to enhance their entrepreneurial skills and business critical expertise.

The Program provides clients with the critical connections, supportive network and collaboration opportunities that they require. Connections include access to potential investors, partners, sales opportunities and employees – provincially, nationally and internationally.

WHO IS THIS FOR

APPLICATION JOURNEY

Step 1:

Application Form

Step 2:

Online MVT

Step 3:

Interview

Step 4:

Onboarding

Step 1:

Application Form

Complete the VAP Application form and submit to our programs team for review.

Step 2:

Online MVT

Upon approval of your application, we will send you an email that contains a link to the Online Market Validation Training.
You have the option to schedule a coaching call with one of our Executives in Residence (EIR) to assist you with the completion of the exercises in the training material.
You will assemble all of the exercises into a single document called your Company Playbook which you submit for review once completed.

Step 3:

Interview

Upon approval of your Playbook, you will be invited to book a meeting with our team to discuss your venture and to answer any questions you may have. We will discuss what goals you want to achieve and what type of mentorship you are looking for.
If approved, you will be invited to be a part of the Venture Acceleration Program.

Step 4:

Onboarding

You will be matched with an EIR based on suitable experience.
We will schedule a 90 minute orientation session with your EIR and programs team to explain in more detail how the program works and the various resources available to you, and answer any questions you may have.
You will then schedule your first bi-weekly meeting with your EIR.
Congratulations! You're officially part of VAP.

Ready to join the Venture Acceleration Program?

Take the next step and fill out our online application form today.

APPLY NOW

STARTUP VISA

Status: Accepting Applications

Who is the Startup Visa for?

How do I apply?

When will we receive Commitment Certificates and Letters of Support

Who is the Startup Visa for?

This program is specifically for one or more founders or key employees that are interested in building their head office in Victoria, British Columbia by relocating here and participating in the program for one year. This program is not for people simply looking to immigrate to Canada, or for companies looking to set up a division in Victoria.

How do I apply?

To initiate your application, complete the application form and submit to our programs team for review.

You can also find a dedicated section on this page that provides an overview of the application journey. There, you can get a sneak peek of what to expect during the process and what steps you'll need to take next.

When will we receive Commitment Certificates and Letters of Support

As of May 4, 2023, we are pleased to announce that IRCC has made significant progress in recent months, and we are now able to resume issuing Commitment Certificates and Letters of Support.

When will we receive Commitment Certificates and Letter of Support?

The timeline for receiving Commitment Certificates and Letters of Support depends on several factors, including how quickly you're able to successfully complete our Market Validation Training (MVT), Playbook Review, and Interview processes. Once these steps are completed, our program team will assess your venture's eligibility and determine whether to provide a Letter of Support. We'll keep you informed throughout the process and provide updates on your progress.

MEET THE VAP TEAM

Executives in Residence

Mark Grambart

Bio

As an Executive in Residence for VIATEC, Mark is excited about helping Victoria’s entrepreneurs accelerate the profitable growth of their promising start-ups.

Prior to becoming an Executive in Residence, Mark was the president and CEO of Contech Enterprises Inc., a technology based company that provided green pest management products for consumers. While at Contech, revenues grew by more than five times by expanding distribution networks, driving world leading science and adding complementary acquisitions. Contech was sold to The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company in 2015, the world's largest marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products.

Prior to Contech, Mark was the vice president and general manager for JM Huber Corporation, one of the largest family owned, privately held companies in the US. While at Huber, he led the turnaround of a $170m specialty chemical business that resulted in EBIT growing from $5m to 18m in two years. Previously, Mark had a number of different roles in development, marketing, production and strategy with Mercedes-Benz while based in in Germany with projects in South Africa, Latin America and the US.

Mark has an MBA from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland and an engineering degree from the University of Victoria, Canada.

Outside of business, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids and can commonly be found coaching at the rink or ballpark or sailing around BC’s south coast.

Shelley Voyer

Bio

Shelley has spent her career bringing innovative digital products and services to market for consumer brands and start-ups alike. Brands like Nokia whose first mobile gaming platform she helped bring to life, and Vivendi Universal/Sierra On-line whom she assisted with their first foray into massively multiplayer games.

Shelley creates brands and experiences that resonate--helping companies differentiate themselves in increasingly competitive markets. She’s worked with numerous start-ups to find to find their niche and first revenue agreements like leading VR gaming company Cloudhead Games, Branium--an award-winning online curriculum product which she brought to North American schools--and a host of others. She even founded her own start-up, Zuzee, an award-winning web/mobile app for tweens.

She’s a sales and marketing maven, applying both traditional and digital tactics that generate long-term revenue. Shelley loves validating market opportunities and defining go-to-market plans that help companies find their best path to success.

Lorna Johnson

Bio

Lorna Johnson is a Business Mentor/Coach, Advisor and Board Director. She uses an agile approach to strategy to help early to late stage start-ups and businesses undergoing change explore, test, and refine their products, customer-experience, go-to-market strategies and business models for profitable growth. She is passionate about understanding what customers are really buying and has proven frameworks for customer discovery.

Lorna honed her product design and development skills, operations competencies and commercial acumen via a global career as a management consultant with a top-tier firm in New York and Sydney, and as an intrapreneur with Australia’s largest insurance providers, wealth management firms, and banks. She brought to market more than 30 customer-focussed technology-based products and services.

Returning to Canada in 2012, Lorna was Vice President, Product Services and Innovation with Interac, one of Canada’s leading payments brands; Managing Director, Canada with Cubane Consulting, a private firm supporting universities via their Consultant-As-A-Service model and; Principal/Owner of CalderJohnsonConsulting Inc., providing digital strategies, project delivery, and advice for clients such as the world’s largest gold mining company, a European fintech, and a B.C.-based digital marketing start-up.

Lorna has the ICD.D designation from the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors, and is a certified Advisory Board Chair. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry (U. New Brunswick), an MBA and Masters in Environmental Studies (Yale) and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning (Deakin U.)

Outside of business advisory and consulting, Lorna is the Vice President and Board Member for the Rotary Club of Victoria-Harbourside, is an active member of Le Cercle (French) Toastmasters Club, and, with her husband, Cliff, owns and manages investment properties including an AirBnB.

Adam Dorval

Bio

Adam Dorval is a marketing strategist, e-commerce business builder, and digital transformation expert. He has a deep passion for brand development and is a fervent believer that truly successful brands and organizations are built by their people, culture, and customer experience - not just products and pricing.

On the client side, Adam has built e-commerce businesses for some of Canada’s most iconic brands, and developed brand, marketing, and digital strategies in the retail, media & entertainment, agriculture, construction & engineering, and real estate sectors.

On the agency and consultancy side, Adam has worked with one of North America’s most innovative brand engagement agencies, as featured by Forbes, and coached and consulted with government, non-profit, and businesses of all sizes.

In 2019 Adam relocated to Victoria BC and began helping local businesses and start-ups with digital transformation, business and marketing strategy, building for scalable growth, and overcoming new market challenges.

Adam is an accomplished and awarded multi-instrumental musician, an avid world traveler and wilderness adventurer, and can sometimes be found playing beach volleyball in his spare time.

Programs Team

Rob Bennett

COO, Program Director

Bio

As VIATEC's Chief Operating Officer and Program Director, Rob supports the development of start-up and early stage companies through a variety of programs and resources, most notably the VIATEC Accelerator Program. He has personally been involved in multiple local tech companies as a programmer, founder, angel investor, mentor and coach. He's passionate about the growth and development of the tech community, and you can easily spot him at a variety of community events (he's 6'5" tall!).

Jhenica Tongco

Program Coordinator

Bio

She brings creativity, a strong drive to continually learn, and a passion for making a positive impact in her community.

Born in the Philippines, she moved to Canada with her family in the late 2000s. She pursued Graphic Design at Pacific Design Academy. Worked as a freelancer for several years, where she had the opportunity to collaborate with small businesses around Victoria. Before the pandemic, she flew to Cambodia to volunteer as a Graphic Designer at an NGO where they supported vulnerable children through education, scholarships, and community development. She believes that it was through volunteering that she discovered her talent and enhanced her skills.

Opposite to her personality, as she’s more spontaneous than a planner. Jhenica ensures the efficient day-to-day operation of VIATEC programs and supports the work of accelerator start-up companies, management, and VIATEC staff. Just starting her career in tech, she’s excited to contribute to the growth of multiple ventures, learn more about the start-up ecosystem, and meet inspiring entrepreneurs and mentors.

Her current areas of interest are watching movies, trying new restaurants, and traveling.

OUR COMMITMMENT

VIATEC is committed to enhancing equity and diversity in Greater Victoria's tech sector. Our mission is to cultivate the most cohesive tech community in the world by boosting a sense of belonging and helping to shape our region. We are committed to providing an inclusive experience, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race or religion.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Market Validation Training and why do I have to complete it to get accepted?

As part of the application process we seek to ensure applicants are exposed to the start-up fundamentals that help to ensure success with their start-ups, as well as informing the VAP programs team specifically what their venture is all about.

Entrepreneurs can work through this material at their own pace, and it can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months to complete based on how much of the work has already been done. There is no cost to this process, and can be done entirely remotely, and involve as many team members as you wish.

As entrepreneurs work through the MVT modules, they may get stuck on a concept or two, and they can book online coaching calls with our Executives-in-Residence. Sometimes all it needs is the ability to talk through something with an advisor.

Once the entrepreneur has completed the MVT, they submit their results in the form of a slidedeck called the Company Playbook. The Company Playbook is reviewed by the program team, including the Executive-in-Residence (EiRs).

Once the entrepreneur has fully completed the Playbook and demonstrated a reasonable level of competency in doing so, a meeting with the applicant helps further define their needs and confirm their suitability for the program.

Can we still get Letter of Support and Commitment Certificate?

Until further notice, we have temporarily paused providing Commitment Certificates and Letters of Support due to unacceptable processing times by Immigration Canada. We will also not be able to review Company Playbooks during this time. Processing times by Immigration Canada are currently taking anywhere from 1 to 3 years, which does not make any sense for any real venture and entrepreneurial team that wishes to relocate their team to Canada and build their company here. Once Immigration Canada is able to return to an effective and predictable processing timeframe, we will again return to providing Commitment Certificates and Letters of Support.

What kind of technology companies qualify for this program?

We recognize that use of the term technology is wide and varied. For the Venture Acceleration Program, technology is defined as products and productized services, with engineering attributes in advanced communications technologies, digital media and web, electronics design and manufacturing, software development, mechanical and industrial technologies and other advanced engineering disciplines. We’re especially interested in supporting companies that are developing technologies aimed at target markets and target customers that are aligned with the Province of British Columbia’s key industry sectors.

Does VIATEC, its staff, contractors or EIR take equity in start ups?

How much do I pay?