The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced the creation of a new soft landing program for international companies looking to expand into India. The program, called Gateway91, will be run by Zone Startups India (ZSI), an international startup accelerator affiliated with Ryerson University. Minister Bains further announced a partnership between the governments of Canada and Ontario to fund five Canadian financial technology startups to participate in the new program to help Canadian innovators seize the many opportunities provided by the Indian market.
“All around the world, confident, ambitious countries are investing in their own future,” said Bains. “Formidable energies have led to Zone Startups India partnership among Ryerson, Simon Fraser University and the Bombay Stock Exchange, and the Government of Canada is proud to support this program. This work in the emerging field of financial technology has the potential to turn ideas into marketable solutions.”
“We’re proud to be a partner with the federal government and Zone Startups India to support the Gateway91 program, said Michael Chan, Ontario Minister of International Trade. “This initiative will help Canadian FinTech innovators bring their breakthrough concepts and technologies into the Indian market which will create jobs and economic growth in both regions.”
Gateway 91 will offer end-to-end services for an international technology companies looking to set up their first office in India. Zone Startups India will help companies make the daunting transition to a new market by providing supports including:
• work space within a community of likeminded entrepreneurs,
• local industry expert mentors,
• professional and administrative services for business establishment,
• corporate connections for customer development and;
• networking opportunities with potential investors
