Canada Startup Association (CSA) is a not-for-profit initiative for new and existing startups, and key stakeholders and industry players to come together for fostering the startup ecosystem. We are creating a community that thrives by peer-to-peer learning and networking. 

Our aim is to facilitate a collaborative community of startups, including Start-up Visa (SUV) applicants and newcomer entrepreneurs with an aim to provide a knowledge sharing platform, resources and networking opportunities.

Tehmina A Chaudhry, President of CSA is a seasoned social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience. She is amongst the early Startup Visa applicants who got permanent residence in Canada under that stream. Tehmina has built her social enterprise in GTA and also enriched the startup ecosystem by sharing her knowledge and experience with the community. She is a pro-networker and is well connected with specialists, venture capitalists, incubators and accelerators in Canada. 

Hammad Siddiqui, Executive Director brings over 36 years of experience in working with startups, entrepreneurs and business associations in many countries from Turkey to Papua New Guinea.  He is a qualified non-profit executive from the US Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Organization Management, Washington DC, USA. Hammad has been mentoring startups and founders for many years. He is one of the most followed LinkedIn mentors in Canada with over 63,000 global following. 

We respectfully acknowledge that Richmond Hill, where we gather and work, is situated upon the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississauga of the Credit First Nation and the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations, as recognized by the Williams Treaty. Additionally, we recognize that this land is part of the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and the Huron Wendat. We honor and express our deepest gratitude to the original caretakers of this land, acknowledging their significant historical and ongoing contributions. May we all move forward with respect and mindfulness towards reconciliation and appreciation of the land we inhabit together.

The Canada Startup Association (CSA) is steadfastly committed to respecting and uplifting Indigenous peoples and First Nation Enterprises in Canada. We aim to foster inclusivity and mutual growth by embedding Indigenous perspectives and wisdom into our entrepreneurial ecosystem, striving to co-create a future where every voice, especially those of the First Nations, is heard and valued.