Canada

Canada offers the fastest path to a tech-ready workforce, with its Global Talent Stream visa processing work permits in as little as two weeks—outpacing #6 Germany's Startup Visa, which averages 2-3 months. The SR&ED tax credit refunds up to 65% of qualifying R&D expenses, making R&D cheaper than the average OECD country. Toronto's tech market, now North America's fastest-growing, has created 100,000+ tech jobs. Vancouver and Montreal anchor AI research. Add in universal healthcare, which slashes a major overhead cost that US startups face.