How to fix Canada's Start-up Visa

How to fix Canada's Start-up Visa

From The BetaKit Podcast Channel by BetaKit Podcast Network

February 23, 2026 · 52 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the issues with Canada's Start-up Visa program and potential solutions for a functional entrepreneurial immigration system.

"Speed is of the essence. This is a super dynamic marketplace. Canada is losing entrepreneurs, we're losing the next generation of founders, and we need to do things, quick." More than a decade ago, Canada launched the Start-up Visa program to attract entrepreneurial talent from around the world. After years of complaints of delays, fraud, and abuse, the program was suspended while featuring a whopping 10-35 year wait time. Boris Wertz (Version One Ventures) and Lucy Hargreaves (Build Canada) join to discuss what went wrong and what a functional entrepreneurial immigration program might look like. Related links: Canada suspends Start-Up Visa as feds look to transition to new program Entrepreneurs face more than a decade wait for Canada's Start-up Visa Why is the Start-up Visa program struggling? Canada Can Attract the World's Best Entrepreneurs

People in this episode

Guests: Boris Wertz, Lucy Hargreaves

Topics covered

  • Start-up Visa
  • entrepreneurship
  • immigration
  • Canada
  • founders
  • business delays

Keywords

  • Start-up Visa
  • Canada
  • entrepreneurial talent
  • immigration program
  • founders
  • business delays
  • Boris Wertz
  • Lucy Hargreaves

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Version One Ventures, Build Canada

Places: Canada

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