Navigating U.S. Immigration & Startup Visas for Canadian Founders

Dec 11, 12:00 – 1:30 AM (UTC)

Toronto

Entering the U.S. market is one of the biggest growth opportunities for Canadian startups - but the immigration and visa landscape can feel complex, confusing, and constantly changing. In this online session, we’re bringing clarity.

Virtual event
Fireside Chat

About this event

Join Adriana Soto Ospina, a digital health entrepreneur and expert in cross-border business development, together with Ankur Sethi, Venture Capitalist & startup advisor, for a practical conversation about how Canadian founders can approach U.S. immigration pathways and the startup visa process.

Whether you’re exploring expansion, preparing to fundraise in the U.S., or simply want to understand your options, this session will give you a clear, founder-friendly overview without legal jargon.


What We’ll Cover

💡 Overview of U.S. immigration pathways for founders

— including O-1, E-2, H-1B, EB-1A, and other routes relevant to high-growth entrepreneurs.

🌎 Understanding the “startup visa” concept

— what exists, what doesn’t, and how founders are navigating current frameworks.

🚀 What Canadian startups need before entering the U.S. market

— traction, evidence, storytelling, and investor expectations.

📈 How immigration strategy connects to fundraising and expansion

— timing, risk reduction, and what U.S. VCs look for in cross-border teams.

❓ Live Q&A

Bring your questions — we’ll leave time to discuss specific scenarios and founder experiences.


Who Should Attend

• Canadian founders preparing to enter or test the U.S. market

• Startups planning to raise from U.S. venture capital

• Entrepreneurs considering relocation or building cross-border teams

• Anyone curious about realistic pathways for founders entering the U.S.

Check out what happened

Speaker

  • Ankur Sethi

    Winner Capital

    Founder and General Partner

Organizers

  • Ankur Sethi

    Winner Capital

    Director

  • Daria Tilikanova

    Winner Capital

    Co-Director

Partner

Winner Capital logo

Winner Capital

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