Ryerson Futures’ Zone Startups Helps International Innovators Thrive in The Indian Market

Governments of Canada and Ontario partner to send five Canadian startups to participate in new Gateway91 program.

 

Last week, 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, which is called Gateway91 will be run by Zone Startups India (ZSI). ZSI is an international startup accelerator affiliated with Ryerson University.

Zone Startups is a program created by Ryerson Futures Inc., Gateway91 is the fourth new program announced by Zone Startups in India in 2016, including empoWer, Rise Accelerator with Barclays and Thought Factory with Axis Bank.

Minister Bains further announced a partnership between the government 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.

“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.”

“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.”

“Through programs like Gateway91, Zone Startups will continue to assist early stage enterprise software companies as they look to scale in the Indian market,” said Matt Saunders, President of Zone Startups. “Our extensive connections and programming continue to attract great founders developing innovative solutions. We’re proud to partner with both the Federal and Ontario government to give Canadian FinTech startups the opportunity to benefit from our leading services to grow and thrive in India.”

Gateway 91 will offer end-to-end services for 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 support which includes: 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.