Ontario
Ontario is Canada’s largest province by population and provides a lot of opportunities for entrepreneurs in the financial services, tech, ICT and digital communication industries.
Its provincial nomination programs are designed to attract businesses in the above areas. Through these programs foreign business people can buy equity in businesses within the province.
Connect with us to learn more about investment opportunities in Ontario.
CRITERION
MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
| CRITERION | ON ENTREPRENEUR STREAM |
|---|---|
| Business Experience | Minimum 24 months of full-time business management experience in the last 60 months. |
| Language | Minimum CLB 4 |
| Maximum # of Applicants | 2 (Business partners can invest into an Ontario business. Each business partner must meet requirements separately.) |
| Education | No minimum requirement |
| Age | No minimum requirement |
| Business Investment | A. Greater Toronto Area (GTA) - minimum $600,000 CAD B. Other regions in the province - minimum $200,000 CAD C. For business investments into the ICT & Digital Communications sector, a minimum investment of $200,000 only is required regardless of location. |
| Net Worth | A. - To invest within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) - minimum 800k CAD B. - To invest within the rest of the province - 400k CAD (exclusive of partner holdings) This net worth must have been lawfully obtained and verifiable. Your net worth must not include your partner's net worth. |
| Business Performance Agreement | Applicants are expected to deliver on the milestones established in the Business Plan. |
| Residency Obligations | 75% of time should be spent in Ontario when establishing the business. |
| Percentage of Equity | Applicants must control at least one-third of the equity in the business. |
| Tech businesses: | Minimum investment amount is $200,000 CAD and this must give 1/3 equity in the business. |
| Job Creation | For investments in the GTA, creation of at least 2 permanent full time jobs is required. For investments outside of the GTA or in the ICT & Digital Comms space, creation of at least 1 permanent full time position is required. |
| Other Requirements |
If purchasing an existing business: i. Business research visit to Ontario within 12 months of submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province is required. ii. Ownership of the prospective business to be purchased would remain unchanged over the preceeding 60 months. iii. Complete transfer of business ownership to applicant. iv. Commitment to keep all existing full-time positions after acquisition of equity in the business.. v. Commitment to dedicate 10% of personal funds to business expansion or improvement within ON. |
