Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas Welcomes First International Clients To Peterborough

Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas announced on Tuesday that it has welcomed its first international clients to Peterborough since launching its government-accredited STARTup Visa Program (SUV) in February 2021.

Dmitriy Sevostyanov and Laura Sevostyanova enjoy a poutine at Rileys.

Dmitriy Sevostyanov and Laura Sevostyanova, an entrepreneurial duo from Kazakhstan, arrived in Peterborough last week.

They came to begin the next phase of SUV, which has a mission to provide innovative startup business mentorship and programming to immigrant entrepreneurs so they may successfully relocate to Peterborough and the Kawarthas to grow sustainable businesses, create jobs, and become an active contributor in the community.

Before arriving in Canada, the duo participated in an initial 3-month virtual accelerator program and a formal review process by the Innovation Cluster. After successfully completing both, the Kazakhstani team was granted a Letter of Support which helped them immigrate to begin their Canadian entrepreneurial journey.

Now, Dmitriy and Laura have begun SUV’s next phase — a 12-month, in-person business incubation program facilitated from the Innovation Cluster’s downtown hub. Over the next year, they will gain knowledge, skills, mentorship, and networking opportunities to prepare them for business success and the ability to compete on a global scale.

“Canada was our top choice due to Canadians’ large ecological consciousness and the support programs available to startups,” said Dmitriy. “Among all Startup Visa Programs offered in Canada, the Innovation Cluster’s SUV program caught our attention due to its ideal location and its expertise with the cleantech and agtech sectors.”

Dmitriy and Laura’s established business, ReGreen, specializes in producing 100% recyclable eco-bags using spunbond nonwoven fabric. The material is breathable, durable, and lightweight with the ability to decompose in less than one year without emitting any harmful chemicals. They have been manufacturing eco-bags in Kazakhstan since 2015.

Since launching SUV in February 2021, the program has run three cohorts per year, has accepted 47 client companies to-date, and 40 companies have received Letters of Support and are awaiting additional government documents so they can join Dmitriy and Laura in Peterborough.

For more information on the STARTup Visa Program, visit https://www.innovationcluster.ca/startupvisa/.

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