Stephen Lund ICD.D

The size of Canada combined with the geographic distribution of health conditions make the country ideal for multi-channel healthcare (e.g., Telehealth). Despite the significant demand for healthcare broadly, those business models haven't been able to achieve exponential growth or ideal unit economics just yet -- they've certainly grown and many are profitable, but millions of Canadians still lack primary care. It's a problem that's on the cusp of being solved (e.g., AI, integrated care) and could unlock significantly more access to care for Canadians. 

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This week, #FNFA will be in Ottawa, ON advocating for #Monetization as an innovative solution to accelerate infrastructure funding and development. Why #Monetization? The current pay-as-you-go model has failed and can only build a few infrastructure projects each year. Monetization would build many more projects and could help close the estimated $349.2 billion-dollar infrastructure gap, something the federal government committed to do by 2030. That is simply not possible under current policy. In fact, it would take about 130 years using the current model. Stay tuned for updates on our progress! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gwckaH4K #StrongerTogether #FinancingYourFuture #FirstNationsInfrastructure #FirstNationsFinance #InfrastructureInvestment #MonetizingFirstNationsInfrastructure #EconomicReconcilliation #Reconciliation #IndigenousEconomy #CloseTheGap #CTIG #CTIG2030 *** Cette semaine, l'#AFPN sera à Ottawa, en Ontario, pour plaider en faveur de la #monétisation en tant que solution innovante pour accélérer le financement et le développement des infrastructures. Pourquoi la #monétisation ? Le modèle actuel de financement par répartition a échoué et ne permet de réaliser que quelques projets d'infrastructure par an. La monétisation permettrait de réaliser beaucoup plus de projets et de combler le déficit d'infrastructures estimé à 349,2 milliards de dollars, ce que le gouvernement fédéral s'est engagé à faire d'ici à 2030. Cela n'est tout simplement pas possible dans le cadre de la politique actuelle. En fait, il faudrait environ 130 ans avec le modèle actuel. Restez à l'écoute pour des mises à jour sur nos progrès ! Pour en savoir plus : https://lnkd.in/gPwwmj43 #PlusFortsEnsemble #FinancezVotreAvenir #InfrastructurePremièresNations #FinancePremièresNations #InvestissementInfrastructure #MonétisationInfrastructurePremièresNations #RéconcilliationÉconomique #Réconciliation #ÉconomieAutochtone #ComblerLeDéficit #CDI #CDI2030

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It was great to speak with the Logic earlier this week and share Tidal Venture Partners perspective on the subject of fund domiciling strategy.  It may sound like we’re in the weeds on this topic, but the question of where to domicile is a growing conversation and consideration for many Canadian fund managers with big long-term implications for our innovation economy.  The challenge of Canadian companies remaining Canadian owned will only become more acute if more Canadian funds start to domicile in other jurisdictions.

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Another great #investcanada2024 conference last week. Congrats Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) again and fantastic collaboration with Réseau Capital for curating + delivering such an important ecosystem event that brings together the who’s who in Canadian investing. It’s an interesting macro environment for both founders and emerging VC funds in 2024. The bar for fundraising is higher and the process is more difficult, but it’s an amazing time to build and fund startups. Over the years I’ve been asked what’s made me a successful investor given the number of exits & investor returns delivered. Beyond it being a full-time obsession for decades, one needs to constantly find ways to evolve to founder needs and deliver differentiated value. Earning the right to back and support the best founders is what delivers outsized investor returns. This is easy to say for many investors, but often many fall flat on the everyday execution for different controllable reasons. Reputations are built & lost fast in a more challenging market. Highline Beta's pre-seed VC & venture studio model continues to not only innovate, but also win predominantly because our core investment value is to always “earn the right on the cap table” with the founders that we support. It’s a complete team effort and after 8 years of building out Highline Beta’s foundation let’s us now grow via new vertical venture studios + funds. 🚀

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Partner Highlight! ​ ​ Project Title: Enhancing Product-Led Growth for Social Impact​ Partner: Link2Feed​ Funder: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) ARD​ ​ Link2Feed, a Certified B Corporation with a Canadian office in Sarnia, is revolutionizing hunger relief through cutting-edge technology that tracks and identifies usage trends for food banks and poverty relief services. Their ambitious goal? To create the world’s first metric on hunger in developed nations.​ ​ In collaboration with Lambton College, this project focuses on developing and prototyping a product-led growth pattern to boost customer engagement for not-for-profit organizations. By enhancing tooling for decision-making, optimizing social service delivery, and reducing costs through advanced predictive analytics and automated solutions, this initiative is paving the way for impactful social change.​ ​ 👉 Learn more about DTL: https://www.dtltac.ca/​ ​ #SocialImpact #Link2Feed #LambtonCollege #TechnologyForChange #PredictiveAnalytics #BCorporation #NSERCARD #forwhatcomesnext

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I loved this conversation with Scott Duke from OpnRoad Mergers & Acquisitions and Josh Levine from Private Market Labs! Bottom line? Canadian search IS different than other geographical reasons. Some of the topics we covered: 💵 Bank financing - deal structure looks much different based on funding models. 🇨🇦 Approach - Be warm, friendly and polite. Canadian business is very community centric and showing up in this manner is key. 📖 Education - search is a newer idea in Canada. Take the time to ensure your owner conversations include the What and How and not just the Why of the acquisition. ☝ One thing that doesn't change no matter where you are searching? Personalization. Show the owners you know them and have taken the time to understand them and their business. #regenerativeleadership #canadiansmb #eta

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Prairies Economic Development Canada I Développement économique Canada pour les Prairies is investing $30M in #AI, #Agtech and #EV development. https://lnkd.in/gifrE7tC #startups #entrepreneurs #growth

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An exploding market that demands more attention: Women’s Health & FemTech. Women’s healthcare products and services are tracking to become a $1 Trillion global market by 2027. The menopause sector has grown by 74% in just the last 5 years. Historically, this hasn’t been the case. As of 2018, only 4% of R&D funding went to FemTech. According to McKinsey and Pitchbook, 0.1% of all Femtech funding went to menopause management and only 7% of Femtech companies address menopause care. Lack of awareness and education have long been barriers to funding and innovation: • Most OBGYN residents receive less than 4 hours of menopause instruction. • Women experiencing menopausal symptoms either don’t realize it or are dismissed when they express them. • HRT (Hormonal Replacement Therapy) is an effective treatment, but its risks have been misrepresented, stifling its popularity. It’s an injustice. And a missed opportunity: • Women control 80% of healthcare spending in the US • Women spend 25% more of their life in poorer health than men. Now? With transparency on social media and increased self-advocacy, the trend is changing. Influencers and celebrities opening up about their menopause journeys on social media have helped demystify what women experience, and what can support them through it. Real symptoms – hot flashes, insomnia, vertigo, fatigue, arthralgia or myalgia, headaches, palpitations, and more – are being validated and treated. Innovators in this space have an edge: While customer acquisition is relatively harder, customers tend to be stickier. For example, Otsuka’s acquisition of Bonafide in Nov 2023 was a strategic move to acquire a smaller company with great IP and a trusted brand. These are a few more interesting players in the menopause sector: • Embr and Moona, focusing on sleep management • Mina Health and MBody, for self-testing and wellness • Gennev, for virtual care Brands like these will play a role in transforming how we address pivotal care for women. My takeaways: The conversation around menopause and women's health is changing. It's time for innovators to step up and meet the growing demand.

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AFI Director, Evan Fraser, shares crucial insights in his op-ed for The Globe and Mail: "Our fragile food supply chain was built for a world that no longer exists." With climate change disrupting our transportation and food systems, Evan explores how our current food supply chain is perilously fragile and rooted in outdated assumptions. As heatwaves and extreme weather events reveal the weaknesses of our just-in-time system, we face the urgent need for transformation. Evan highlights the importance of investing in a more resilient food system, one that is diverse and tolerant of climate changes like extreme weather. 📖 Read the full op-ed to learn about the steps and considerations needed to secure our food future. 🔗 https://tgam.ca/3LHEKfE #FoodSystems #ClimateResilience #GlobeAndMail

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Is your company ready for the new #greenwashing regulations coming into effect in #Canada and the #EU? Get prepared by signing up to Acuicy's Early Adopter Program! Our software calculates your carbon footprint - but, in 2024, that's just table stakes. Our real value is in providing our users with tailored recommendations on the most #capitalefficient #lowcarbon options for their business, taking the financial guesswork out of #cuttingcarbon. You can find out more about our Early Adopters Program here: https://lnkd.in/g6JUCr4g

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Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is persistently yet amicably pursuing the acquisition of 7-Eleven from Japan's Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd., despite facing several obstacles. CEO Alex Miller expressed confidence in their approach and the company’s ability to finance and finalize the deal. Despite an initial rejection and a rival buyout proposal from Junro Ito, a key figure in Seven & i, Miller believes Couche-Tard's bid remains the most compelling for all stakeholders. Couche-Tard reported second-quarter earnings of US$708.8 million, down from US$819.2 million the previous year, with revenues increasing by six percent to US$17.4 billion. However, the company faced challenges, including lower fuel margins in the U.S., softer consumer demand, and impacts from hurricanes. Yet, positive developments such as legislative changes in Ontario boosted their market leadership in beer sales. Miller's remarks highlight Couche-Tard's resilience and strategic vision in navigating these challenges while seeking growth opportunities. Micah Casinader https://lnkd.in/gXrdvSaw Source: Financial Post

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As a founder, have you ever been curious about this whole angel investing thing? This week's findfunding.vc spotlight is on an investor who's an expert in it you simply have to know: Matt Wilson, MBA from Allied Venture Partners. He: 🇨🇦 Is Calgary based 😇 Manages one of Canada's largest angle investor syndicates (now at 1,800+ members!) 🏒 Worked as a professional ice hockey referee, which he says shares remarkable similarities with investing Amongst founders, Matt Wilson, is known for bringing empathy and perspective as a former founder himself. Aside from financial support, his goal is to be the 'right' investor - one that aligns with a founder's vision, shares his network, and provides strategic insights when asked. ✉️ Make sure to pitch him, invest, scout, advise and more at https://linktr.ee/alliedvc For more, check out our funder spotlight card below along with Allied Venture Partners' profile on findfunding.vc (link in comments).

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FedDev Ontario has launched an application intake for funding, geared towards helping businesses and the communities and organizations that support them. The intake period is open from April 29, 2024 to June 24, 2024. Funding priorities are focused on projects related to: ♻️ Clean Economic Growth – Projects that support the greening of the economy, that can contribute to emissions reductions, and that create sustainable and green jobs 📈 Growth companies – Projects that accelerate business development and growth 💻 Technology – projects in cutting-edge sectors (e.g., artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, medical technologies, digital health, and agri-tech) 🛠️ Industrial transition - Projects that support change in traditional sectors to adopt new technologies and other innovations to improve their competitiveness and build new opportunities (e.g., the adoption of automation in manufacturing to increase efficiency and productivity) Priority may be given to projects supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles and housing manufacturing innovation. Learn more: https://shorturl.at/qyAKO

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Our sister solution space, Canadian Alliance for Net Zero Agri-Food (CANZA) by Generate Canada, was on the main stage at last week’s Sustainable Finance Forum. Geoff McCarney of Smart Prosperity Institute moderated a thought-provoking discussion on cultivating investment in sustainable agriculture. Top three insights that stood out to us:  💡 Alison Sunstrum of CNSRVX-Inc and The51: Spoke about the $10T/year opportunity in transforming agriculture systems and outlined five pillars for systemic change: innovation, investment, policy, collaboration, and standardization. 💡 Charlie Angelakos of McCain Foods: Vehicles like CANZA allow us to come together across the supply chain in a pre-competitive space, allowing us to share best practice and get to a better place. It is not about a competitive advantage for any one organization, but rather it is about working together and working with the farmer-base. Otherwise we will be dead in the water from a business perspective,  and most importantly, when it comes to feeding our world. Farmers cannot bear the burden of transition alone. 💡 John Stackhouse of RBC: Farmers are already doing good work, just not being rewarded for it. We know a certain number of practices have soil carbon capturing potential, so let’s not wait for technology to prove that for a check to be written. Let’s get on with a comfort of, say, 80%. We need to be time-minded so we can meet the urgency. Investing in sustainable agriculture is an important part of conservation finance, and we are pleased to see the momentum as the conversation takes to the mainstage. ✨ #sustainableagriculture #conservationfinance #sustainablefinance

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This panel is a dream come true! 📅 Join us at SOCAP: Creating the Easy Button for Impact Investors: Streamlining Access to Impactful Financial Models 🕒 Wednesday 2:30 PM, Oct 30 at 3:45 PM MDT / 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM PDT 📍 YBCA | Forum 💡 In the realm of innovative financial models, the focus often centers on asset classes rather than the investors' needs. This session aims to shift that focus by activating impact investors with simplified, user-friendly solutions that make impactful investing as seamless as shopping online. 🛒✨ 💸 Traditional investment portfolios typically include charitable donations, personal loans with modest returns, and higher-return retirement or stock market investments. 📈 But what if there was a way to reimagine these categories? 🤔 🚀 Speakers will introduce and discuss three transformative financial products: Investment Cooperatives, Community Notes, and Private Guarantee Programs. These models offer the same liquidity and risk profiles as traditional investments while delivering significant social and environmental impact. 🌱🌍 Discover how these innovative solutions can streamline access to impactful financial models and empower investors to drive meaningful change with ease. 🙌💚 🎙️ Panelists: Lizette Peña, Wendy Turman, Dr. Stephanie Gripne, and Aniyia L. Williams (Moderator)

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Other than a handful of Pension Plans domiciled in Quebec, the rest of the Canadian Pension Plan ecosystem has for the most part missed out on literally billions of $ of value creation generated by Canada’s innovative life sciences companies over the past five years. It doesn’t have to be so. Engaging Canada’s pension plans in Canada’s innovative life sciences ecosystem is not about charity or as some have suggested about “risking returns for pensioners”. It is about exactly the opposite. It is about providing alpha, enhancing returns, supporting high value domestic job creation, providing highly leveragable insights that can be used to enhance public market strategies, fulfilling ESG and impact objectives, and finally ensuring Canadians and not foreign investors derive a greater share of the value created from Canadian innovations and the hard work of Canadian entrepreneurs. I don’t know much, but that sounds like a highly virtuous circle, and as a Canadian who cares deeply about creating a vibrant economy for Canadians and seeing Canadian Pension Pensions prosper for pensioners, I, and am sure many of my peers, would be more than happy to help these Canadian Pension Plans learn how they could join that circle.

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How to invest in a Venture Fund? Calling all Limited Partners (LPs) and Family Offices! 📢 Are you looking to dive deeper into the world of venture capital? Want to understand how to invest in venture funds? This is a fantastic opportunity for you! We are excited to invite you to Venture Summit: Toronto Collision, where industry leaders and experts will share insights & strategies in venture capital investing. Event Highlights: 🔹 Engaging Panels: Gain practical knowledge on structuring investments, managing portfolios, and navigating the VC landscape. 🔹 Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded investors, LPs, family offices, and founders to build valuable relationships. 🔹 Meet Fund Managers Starting their next Fund: meet emerging managers and learn about their experience, thesis, strategy, expertise and passion for venture investing. 🔹 Startup Spotlight: Listen to shortlisted startup pitches & and connect with founders throughout the event. Date: Thursday, June 20th Register: https://lnkd.in/garRw37p Message me for a free investor ticket if you are interested in attending (limited quantity)! Don’t miss out on this exclusive chance to enhance your investment strategy and expand your network. #VentureSummit #TorontoCollision #VentureCapital #Investing #LPs #FamilyOffices #Networking #Innovation #InvestmentStrategy #VC #startups #fundraising #deals #founders #investors #limitedpartners #innovation #diversification

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Check out this epic interview.

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