The technology entrepreneurship ecosystem in Pakistan is emerging at a rapid pace. The tech startups in Pakistan are still facing challenges of investment and a better learning environment. The recent announcement by the Canadian government seems to be solving some of their problems. The Canadian government is now open to give a 52-week work permit or a permanent residence for Pakistani tech startups and entrepreneurs.
Toronto-Waterloo region which is also known as the Silicon Valley North and home to thousands of tech startups and international corporates is now open for Pakistani startups. The new visa programme has been unveiled by the Accelerator Centre, which is based in the Canadian Silicon Valley. The Canadian government’s visa programme will help local startups to brand and build their business in the international market through its startups’ friendly visa regime.
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Amir Jafri founder of Momentum Pakistan said that “The startups need not relocate to Canada at all.” He quoted the statement of Cam Wind of Accelerator Center, who says that Pakistani startups could keep their operations in Pakistan, while the visa would facilitate them to get advantage from the Canadian entrepreneurial friendly systems.
Those who will be successful in availing Visa from the Canadian govt will have access to all corporate programmes of Canada. They will meet their mentors and will be provided with other resources during the 52-week stay in Canada. Cam Wind also elaborated the priorities in the visa grants. Those startups with innovative technology-based initiatives excluding services-based startups will be given priorities. The other important factors for the startups falling in the criteria include a history of certain revenue generation, a strong founding team, a clear future vision, and growth perspective.
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