Building a Centralized Ecosystem for Startups in Canada

Featured Interview With Abhijitt Sankar Roy and Dev Mitra Co-Founders of MatrixVentureStudio.com

View this article featured in CANADIAN BUSINESS OWNER Magazine

In the ever-evolving entrepreneurial landscape of Canada, Matrix Venture Studio has emerged as a one-stop solution for startups and established businesses alike. Co-founders Roy and Dev have built a comprehensive ecosystem based on their own journey as immigrants navigating the Canadian business world. Their story offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs seeking to establish or expand their ventures in North America.​

A Story of Resilience, Innovation, & New Beginnings in Canada

Roy’s arrival in Canada in 2020 marked the start of an extraordinary journey—one that coincided with the onset of a global pandemic in the year 2020. With 22 years of expertise in law, alongside a background in financial advisory and corporate commercial law, Roy initially envisioned continuing his professional pursuits seamlessly in his new homeland. However, the reality proved far more complex. "The journey has been akin to a roller coaster," Roy reflects. "Understanding the Canadian ecosystem was a daunting challenge in itself, especially since we moved just 15-20 days before the pandemic hit, amplifying the difficulty of navigating an unfamiliar landscape."

While preparing for the rigorous Canadian law licensing exams required for internationally trained lawyers, Roy crossed paths with Dev—his future co-founder at Matrix Venture Studio. Dev describes their shared immigrant experience as one of perseverance and self-discovery: "We started as students, then evolved into entrepreneurs. The common thread? In both phases, we felt alone, constantly searching for our place in a new world."

As the pandemic eased, Roy and Dev recognized a critical gap: the lack of comprehensive support services tailored for entrepreneurs new to Canada. "There was no single consulting firm offering a holistic solution—no one-stop shop to address all the needs of newcomers trying to establish themselves," Roy explains. This insight fueled their mission: to create a full-spectrum service platform that empowers entrepreneurs to succeed in Canada’s complex business environment.

Their motivation was deeply personal. Having faced numerous obstacles themselves, Roy and Dev were determined to smooth the path for others. "We want to prevent fellow entrepreneurs from enduring the same hardships. Moving countries is already tough enough; starting a business shouldn’t be an additional burden," Roy emphasizes.

​Building a Unified Ecosystem for Entrepreneurial Success

Since launching in 2021, Matrix Venture Studio has undergone remarkable evolution. Initially focused on helping entrepreneurs craft business plans and reach MVP (Minimum Viable Product) stages, the company has expanded its scope significantly. "Our mission now is to guide startups from MVP to full-scale product, and beyond including fundraising," Dev explains.

Their comprehensive suite of services is organized into four core pillars:

• Business Consulting: Tailored strategic planning, including business models, pitch decks, and marketing strategies, to align entrepreneurs’ visions with practical execution.

 

• Startup Visa Assistance: Specializing in Canada’s Startup Visa program, they facilitate securing essential "letters of support" from designated organizations, ensuring entrepreneurs and their families can seamlessly establish themselves in Canada. Roy highlights, "We coordinate with industry-specific support organizations to connect clients with the right resources and help them transition smoothly."

• Business Acquisition Support: Assisting with mergers, acquisitions, and transition processes to enable growth and expansion.

 

• Matrix Labs: Providing technological innovation, marketing strategies, website and app development, and delivery solutions to bring ideas to life.

Looking ahead, Dev envisions transforming these innovations into market-ready products, leveraging domain expertise within their network. "Our goal is to commercialize these solutions efficiently, building on our ecosystem’s strengths," he says. As Roy points out, "Most often than not, if you chase two rabbits at the same time, you lose both. So in order to put everything under one basket, it's better for entrepreneurs, so they can have their strategies and roadmap aligned to their thought processes."

This all-in-one approach offers a strategic advantage: entrepreneurs can rely on a centralized hub, saving valuable time, energy, and resources—crucial factors when navigating the uncertainties of startup growth.

Tapping into Canada’s Promising Market Opportunities

Despite economic fluctuations, Roy and Dev see immense potential in Canada’s innovation landscape, especially in emerging sectors like AI, clean energy, healthcare, and sustainable technologies. Roy underscores Canada’s strategic government investments: "The country has committed nearly $15 billion to position itself as a global leader in technology and innovation."

Environmental initiatives also present lucrative opportunities. "Canada is heavily investing in clean energy, aiming for zero emissions by 2050," Roy notes. Healthcare innovation is another promising frontier, with a growing need for advanced resources and groundbreaking solutions.

For Canadian companies, Matrix Venture Studio offers an extensive network of industry experts—an invaluable resource for rapid growth. "We’ve onboarded advisors across multiple domains—clean tech, hardware, healthcare," Dev explains. "This creates a plug-and-play ecosystem where entrepreneurs can quickly access tailored guidance, avoiding months of searching for the right expertise."

By bridging international entrepreneurs seeking North American expansion with established Canadian firms eager to innovate, Matrix Venture Studio positions itself as a vital partner at every stage of business development. Their firsthand experience navigating Canada’s regulatory and business landscape gives them unique insight, making them an indispensable ally for startups and established enterprises alike.