How many entrepreneurs can share ownership of one business under the Start-Up Visa Program?

Ownership of a single qualifying business under the Start-Up Visa Program can generally be shared among a small group of entrepreneurs, with each person applying individually for permanent residence based on that same business and the same letter of support from a designated entity. The program does not require one sole founder — it is built to accommodate co-founding teams, provided the underlying business and its designated-entity commitment can support multiple applicants at once.

The detail that catches people off guard is that shared ownership does not mean automatic eligibility for everyone involved. Each entrepreneur applying under the business must independently meet the program's own eligibility criteria and must hold a genuine, qualifying ownership stake in the business — someone with only a nominal or symbolic role, rather than real ownership and involvement, is unlikely to qualify even if they are listed as a co-founder. IRCC assesses each applicant's own stake and participation on its own merits. Because the specific structure of ownership and the number of entrepreneurs a designated entity's commitment can realistically support vary case by case, and because this pathway's terms and availability change over time, anyone considering a co-founder structure should confirm current requirements with IRCC's published guidance or speak with an immigration lawyer before applying.