Search fund in Canada as an Immigrant

searcher profile

April 20, 2024

by a searcher from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Kenan-Flagler Business School in Charlotte, NC, USA

Hello everyone,

Does anyone have experience starting a search fund in Canada as an immigrant?

As an F1 visa holder in the US, I know the options to start a search fund here are extremely limited. So I am curious about the option of doing it in Canada as an alternative. If anyone did that I would love to know more about the experience. Thanks!

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commentor profile
Reply by an investor
from Northeastern University in Denver, CO, USA
From my knowledge, the only two types of similar visas would be the Quebec Immigrant Investment Program ($1M CAD over 5 years with a French language requirement) and the Start-up Visa ($250k CAD) but is more geared to founders and requires the recognition of a Designated Organization.

IMO starting a search fund within the states is more viable. albeit risky. You can setup your search fund as an LLC and sponsor yourself for OPT while doing your search and then have your mid-co holding entity sponsor for H-1B post close. Getting investors comfortable with this structure and pathway will be a different challenge altogether.
commentor profile
Reply by a searcher
from Simon Fraser University in Ontario, Canada
Thank you ^redacted‌ . I am an immigrant who conducted a search in Canada. However, I believe the question pertains more to the technical aspects of immigrating while conducting the search, and use that as an opportunity to enter the country. In this specific instance, I don't have any personal insights to contribute to the discussion, as that was not my case.
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