Founder in Residence – Canada – Immigration Support Possible

Visa type confirmed: Canadian Startup Visa Support Available

Position Overview: Founder‑in‑Residence (Sprint‑to‑Spinout Track)

Our client is offering an opportunity to collaborate remotely, particularly encouraging US-based immigrant and diaspora founders. This part-time role (20–30 hrs/week) spans a 3–6 month sprint during which you will engage in an equity-based compensation structure.

Why This Matters Now

Canada is emerging as a prime location for launching global startups, boasting a stable economy, competitive tax credits, access to North American markets, and proven immigration pathways for founders. Many world-class immigrant and diaspora entrepreneurs often encounter high burn rates, visa uncertainties, and inadequate operational support, leading to stalled ventures.

Nordiqon Venture Studio provides an alternative approach: Building from a Canadian base with in-house expertise in product development, go-to-market strategy, and operations, allowing you to launch efficiently, secure funding, and grow globally without substantial overheads. We have attracted founders from various sectors, including fintech, health tech, climate tech, and others.

About Nordiqon Venture Studio

We are Canada’s first venture studio tailored for immigrant and globally-minded founders, dedicated to co-creating innovative and scalable startups in:

• Fintech
• Health Tech
• Climate Tech
• Future of Work
• Supply Chain Tech

Our studio integrates product, GTM, and operational specialists into your startup team, providing you with a launchpad in Canada and a pathway to international markets.

The Role

As a Founder‑in‑Residence, you will participate in our Sprint‑to‑Spinout Track, which encompasses a part-time sprint of 3–6 months to explore and validate a venture with high potential. Your responsibilities will include:

• Bringing your own idea with strong founder-market fit, or
• Selecting from our validated pipeline of opportunities

Your mission involves leading discovery, prototyping effectively, securing early traction, and laying the groundwork for scalable growth. Successful participants will transition into ongoing incubation, which includes operational support and access to our partner network.

What You’ll Do

• Lead customer discovery to validate a promising problem space
• Develop, prototype, or refine MVP concepts with our in-house team
• Secure early traction through waitlists, pilots, and revenue
• Shape the business model, GTM strategy, and investor narrative
• Participate in weekly studio check-ins and cohort feedback sessions
• Transition to full-time leadership during incubation, if validated

Who You Are

• Experienced operator, product leader, ex‑founder, or domain expert
• Have prior experience in building/scaling products or leading impactful innovations
• Already working on a compelling idea or excited to co-create from a validated framework
• Adaptable and effective in ambiguous environments, moving swiftly
• Validate before scaling — focused on outcomes
• US-based immigrant, diaspora founder, or global operator looking to build from Canada (relocation optional initially)
• Committed to addressing genuine, high-friction problems in our focus sectors

What We Offer

• Founder-level role with a defined path to CEO/Co‑Founder of a studio‑backed venture
• Equity compensation during sprint, with milestone-based vesting
• Transition to equity and competitive pay as the venture develops
• Comprehensive studio support across branding, product, GTM, legal, hiring, and fundraising
• 6–12 month incubation after the sprint to enhance traction and prepare for funding
• Optional relocation and Canadian Startup Visa sponsorship for US-based founders

Program Flow

• Phase 1 — Sprint (3–6 months): Validate market fit, MVP, and early traction
• Phase 2 — Incubation (6–12 months): Grow towards product-market fit and funding readiness

Outcome: A venture ready for spinout with you as the full-time CEO or Co‑Founder, backed by our client’s network and positioned for funding.

How to Apply

If you’re prepared to build with hands-on support from day one, please apply directly through the job post.

Register Your Interest In A New Life In Canada

If this role isn’t quite what you are looking for but a Sponsored job in Canada is still of interest. Click here to upload your resume and register your interest with our Canadian Recruitment Partners

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