I think I have already shared some important points to note before you apply to an incubator. There are a few more things you need to mindful of and can be very useful when applying for Canada Startup Visa.
Minimum Viable Product / MVP
Before you apply to an incubator, it is necessary to have an MVP and you should be able to show a live demo of your product. In my case, I was pitching a Software product and already had a few customers using it in my home country. Not all incubators will ask for a demo upfront, but almost all of them asked for it at some point during the initial screening. I think there was only one incubator where they did not ask for a demo of the product, and that is probably because the interviewer and I hit it off very quickly and the conversation went really well, and I think he believed me when I said that I have a working product.
In my advice, you should not apply without a working product. If you don’t have a product already, spend the time to build your product, something you are passionate about and something you see yourself doing for the next few years at least. Because keep in mind that under the Startup Visa Program for Canada you can not just go to Canada and find a job. Your Startup is the only way you will get PR in Canada. This program is designed for people who want to come to Canada and start a business. If you are just another person who wants to find a job, then this program is definitely not for you.
Founders
Founder experience and role in my opinion is extremely critical for your chances of getting accepted. As Founders, you all should be able to show that your experience and expertise align with your role in the Startup and that you can add value to the Startup.
Another important thing to consider is number of Founders for Canada Startup Visa Program. The maximum number of Founders who will be offered PR is 5. As long as everyone can justify their role in the company. You can definitely go as a single Founder as well, but some incubators do not entertain applications with single Founders. If you are a solo Founder, do not forget to ask your incubator at an early stage if they will offer you a Letter of Support.