DMZ YYZ: A gateway to the North American market

As a startup, expanding into new global markets can feel overwhelming. Whether navigating unfamiliar regulations, understanding local business customs, or forging essential connections, the journey can feel like sailing through uncharted waters. 

We built DMZ’s YYZ program to provide a guiding light for international founders – preparing them with the skills and resources required to enter the North American market.  

Set in the heart of downtown Toronto, YYZ offers a comprehensive, two-week soft-landing experience that gives international entrepreneurs an all-access pass to the North American market. It unlocks invaluable connections, insights, and opportunities to accelerate their cross-border journey. But YYZ isn’t just about fast-tracking growth – it’s also about offering the right tools and knowledge to break through market complexities.

DMZ’s YYZ program is uniquely tailored to each new cohort of participants. In 2024, participants were given the opportunity to pitch at Collision and attend an exclusive trip to Innisfil, hosted by the mayor.

“The YYZ program helps international startups understand the Canadian market, connect with local partners and startups, and provide valuable insights into the business environment and ecosystem in Canada.” – Emma Chuang, Asiabots Limited, DMZ YYZ 2024 participant

YYZ runs annually, welcoming new cohorts of global entrepreneurs to Toronto every summer. This past June, 22 startups from six countries received a curated blend of hands-on mentorship, expert-led workshops, and networking opportunities to help scale their startups across borders.

What makes YYZ so effective?

Beyond acting as a launchpad for global entrepreneurs, YYZ is a dynamic platform that brings together many stakeholders – including local investors seeking fresh opportunities, corporate partners offering professional services, and global organizations facilitating cross-border expansion.

YYZ’s carefully crafted schedule allows participants to tap into crucial industry expertise while immersing themselves in Toronto’s vibrant entrepreneurial culture. Highlights include:

• Startup orientation: To set up YYZ cohorts for success, participants are introduced to the basics of doing business in Canada.
• Individualized coaching: One-on-one meetings facilitated by DMZ’s experts and alumni allow participants to discuss their ideas directly with industry leaders.
• Investor and networking events: Global startups are given daily opportunities to connect with potential investors and partners.
• Ecosystem tours and cultural exposure: Participants experience Canadian culture firsthand – immersing themselves in the local business environment through tours and events within the DMZ ecosystem, which connect them with key players and valuable market insights.

“DMZ YYZ is a great opportunity for start-ups who don’t have any experience in Canada yet and want to get into the Canadian market. The connections during the program provided us with a lot of valuable feedback about our product and marketing strategies.” – Kevin Teng, MedFluid,  DMZ YYZ 2024 participant

Global partners driving innovation

Global partnerships fuel YYZ’s success, and this year was no exception.

Championing the global growth of Egyptian startups, DMZ Cairo’s annual “Demo Day” awarded winning founders of the pitch competition with entry into DMZ YYZ. This cross-border initiative reinforces DMZ Cairo’s role as a critical driver of innovation in the region.

Similarly, StartUp Village (Philippines) and Startup Terrace (Taiwan) played instrumental roles in bringing talented entrepreneurs to Toronto, while the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) also supported high-potential startups from Sri Lanka.

Additionally, JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) and the City of Yokohama participated by bringing Japanese founders into the DMZ YYZ program.

“The collaborations between Startup Terrace and DMZ were highly successful. Through customized meetings, comprehensive consulting, and site visits, the Taiwan teams gained valuable insights into the local ecosystem. The connections and networks we established during our stay have laid a strong foundation for future endeavors in the Canadian and North American markets.” – Amy Yeh, International Strategy Executive (Startup Terrance, Taiwan)

“Working with DMZ for the YYZ program has been an AWESOME experience – not just for the startups we brought, but for myself as well. I learned a lot from the experience but more importantly, it opened new opportunities for StartUp Village to explore new markets and business models. We look forward to working more closely with DMZ in the coming years!” – Carlo, President of StartUp Village in the Philippines

Together, these global partnerships empower startups to thrive in international markets, while strengthening the collaborative ecosystem that drives innovation and growth across borders – solidifying YYZ as a trusted program for organizations around the world.

Opportunities for Canadian investors, corporates and other local players

DMZ’s YYZ program is also a gateway for local investors and corporates to build relationships with high-potential startups expanding into North America.

Take accounting firm Logan Katz, for example, who partnered with DMZ to provide legal and business workshops to YYZ participants. This hands-on engagement helps global startups to navigate the complexities of incorporating in Canada, while enabling firms like Logan Katz to forge early-stage relationships with promising international startups – a win-win situation!

YYZ also opens doors for local investors and VCs to meet vetted, investment-ready startups. Through structured programming to refine go-to-market strategies and growth plans, the program offers a curated pipeline of startups that are ready to make big moves in the North American market.

Collaborate with DMZ YYZ!

DMZ YYZ is more than just a soft-landing program; it’s a gateway to success in North America.

If you’re an international founder looking to expand into a dynamic market, a global partner wanting to provide unparalleled support for your startups, or a corporate partner ready to fuel the next wave of innovation, join us today!

Want to learn more? Head to dmz.to/yyz.