.png)
Forget the big conferences. Curated meet-ups and deep conversations were where the real magic happened.
Kristina McDougall shares her Toronto Tech Week Takeaways.
In fact without the central circus, the smaller curated conversations and meet-ups were far more impactful and valuable. Shout out to Marie Chevrier Schwartz & the TechTO team and all of the connectors for pulling it off!
Whether risk-aversion from LPs or fear about whether AI will up-end the well-understood Saas playbook, there was a sense of frustration in the gap between great early stage opportunities and the Canadian capital needed to really propel growth. (See also - why is our IP going to the US? why do we sell too soon? why do the best founders go to the US for big $ rounds?...)
In at least 3 distinct conversations, AI tech founders described the opportunity for AI to wrap great knowledge workers in a virtual Ironman suit, acting as a force multiplier for lawyers, IT Managers, execs and more. I just love the idea of a virtual ‘Pepper Potts’ at the ready, making me prepared and organized … and finally booking that dentist appointment.
I made my way to a few events where founders and investors at the center of DeepTech, Climatech and Hardware were making connections and plotting a course for Canada’s tech future. I got a strong sense that the time is now for these sectors, where defensible IP, advantages in education, infrastructure and talent make Canada the best place to build. Capital demands in these sectors are big, but so are the potential gains. And I was pleased to see investors like RiSC, Amplify Capital, BDC, and EnerTech leaning in.
What we didn't see...
In the quiet conversations there was also talk about how the next generation of start-up founders might not be in the room - because they’d already moved to the US to be closer to the epicenter, to more cash and more connections. The brain drain conversation has been happening for as long as I’ve been in tech (decades if you must know)- but I am hoping we are getting closer to real solutions, as we firmly believe that Canada has everything it takes to be the best place to build, live and grow.
Read more insights from our team.
.png)
Founded by Kristina McDougall in 2013, Artemis has grown to become Canada’s most trusted boutique executive search firm for startups.
We recognize that our work takes place on the traditional lands of the Attawandaron, Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Mississaugas of the Credit. We honour Indigenous stewardship and commit to embedding reconciliation into our work, holding ourselves and our clients accountable.
