Victor Lal

In a world of rapid change and complexity, founders are facing increasingly daunting challenges on their entrepreneurial journey. Recognizing the need for a fresh approach, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of the #RealFellowship, a novel program designed to connect our portfolio founders with experienced entrepreneurs - whom we call Fellows - that intimately understand the operational, mental, and emotional challenges inherent in the founder journey. The program aims: 🌟 To provide our portfolio founders with monthly support from human-focused entrepreneurial leaders (fellows); 💫 To nurture a community of leaders dedicated to personal growth by hosting a series of annual leadership development retreats lead by world-class facilitators. The Real Fellowship is part of an increasingly expanding founder education and development approach built around the twin pillars of #SelfAwareness and #SystemAwareness. A term we appreciate to describe this type of development is “#RegenerativeEntrepreneurship”. 👇👇👇 Dive into our newest article covering the Real Fellowship program, our inaugural Fellows retreat held in February, the event's discussions, and our reflections on regenerative entrepreneurship. https://lnkd.in/gdfm82Vq

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Special Offer for Ontario 211 Network and Partner Organizations: 🚀 NEW Hands-On Tech Strategy Course for Non-Profit Leaders 🌟 Are you a non-profit leader facing skyrocketing demand, rising costs, and staff burnout? Technology can help, but knowing where to start is challenging. Many organizations struggle with manual processes, failed tech projects, or overextended budgets. It's time to take control of your tech strategy! Join Aine McGlynn, PhD, and Katie Gibson for a hands-on, non-technical, half-day training designed specifically for non-profit leaders like you. 📅 This is an in-person, live course taking place this summer in Toronto. Register at https://lnkd.in/ggZkKy9z 🛠️ What You’ll Learn: Skills: Integrate tech into your strategic decisions and prioritize investments for maximum impact. Knowledge: Stay updated with the latest tech trends in the non-profit sector. Community: Connect with a network of like-minded non-profit leaders and build a support system. 🎓 Eligibility: Senior executives (executive directors, CEOs) of non-profits in Canada. No tech experience required. Special Offer for Ontario 211 Network and Partner Organizations: Ontario 211 Network and partner organizations are eligible for a 15% discount. To get the code, please fill out this form. https://lnkd.in/dZdQeqt4 Take the first step towards a tech-savvy future for your organization. Let's make technology work for you!

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🎙 A really good episode with tons of insight! Check it out below!

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📖 If you're looking for a weekend long-read then I've just published this deep dive on "Where Can Canada Win in AI?" 🔎 I explore the current funding committed to AI, and how the lack of focus is causing problems. ⛓️ Canada can't play a leading role in all parts of the AI global value chain. We're too small. To try and win across it all will mean we probably end up losing all of those bets. 😒 We'll have to make some difficult choices and some parts of the Canadian AI ecosystem won't be happy. And that's fine. Other sector- and technology-neutral supports exist for a reason. 🚀 When it comes down to it, these choices should be driven by a clear vision of what we want Canada's economy to look like in future - and the role we want AI to play in that future. And we need to articulate that. You can check it out my full essay here: https://lnkd.in/gEK7EM6M

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I have been brainstorming with Jan Christopher Arp for a new approach to Canadian startup data, enabling a federated system where different ecosystem developers can build applications to serve the needs of startups (and those who support them). The focus is first on the Canadian ecosystem, but this could be useful anywhere (call it the go-to-market). We are well aware of the different systems that have been developed in the past, from Raymond Luk's Hockeystick to Rob Darling's briefed.in to Québec Tech Radar. We can we learn from them? I know other projects were started/funded but AFAIK none of them were really successful. This is not about a shared database. It's about the value that can be built on top data and meta-data (let's say using AI, for example). We are trying to launch this new effort, code name COOL (Co-Operative for Open Linkages) to do this in a way that would benefit everyone joining, with a strong focus on data privacy and rules/processes for anonymized insights from the pool. With a mechanism to have contracts for data rights management (granting/revoking) and the right kind of governance and oversight board. We have had conversations with the Canadian Accelerator & Incubator Network - CAIN, Mouvement des accélérateurs d'innovation du Québec, and a few other regional organizations. I will be at the Startup Ecosystem Summit (spearheaded by Iain Klugman) on October 1st in Toronto and would love to continue these conversations. Maybe we can get Jesse Rodgers, David Crow, Sunil Sharma, Joanne Fedeyko, Michelle Peng Greenberg, Vicky Chang, Jennifer Lussier, Boris Mann and a few others in a room with a whiteboard to advance this project? Who else should we talk with? I'm not looping (too many) investors for now, but they are part of the mix. If you know of community-driven VCs (like Katy Yam, ICD.D and Alex Norman) that we should invite, let us know in the comments. I will also need a place for this to convening to materialize, at Highline Beta maybe (Lisa Partridge)?

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🚨 The Canadian startup ecosystem is at a pivotal moment, and the opportunity to shape its future is NOW! 🚨 Our team has just completed an analytical report that shines a light on key trends within the Canadian startup ecosystem. The data confirms what many of us have sensed—we face pressing challenges, but with these challenges come immense growth opportunities. We've identified crucial trends in early and growth-stage Canadian tech by analyzing the last three Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) reports and combining them with data from Crunchbase. The findings reinforce our commitment at NextStars and FundsFarm to focus on early-stage #MedTech and #CleanTech companies, sectors where Canada has the potential to lead globally. This is our chance to create an innovative and sustainable future—together, we can drive meaningful change and position Canada as a global leader in tech. Let’s harness the power of today’s opportunities to build a brighter tomorrow! #Startup #Venture_Capital #Investor Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/g8F_pj8u

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Are you facing a big decision on how to fund your startup? 🤔💡 Dive into a Toronto Business Development Centre guide written by AIO's own Kate Tomen, VP of Business Development & Operations, and uncover the critical differences between crowdfunding and angel investing. This essential read is your roadmap to making an informed funding choice that aligns with your startup's goals and needs. 🚀 Whether it's the expansive potential of angel investment or the community-driven power of crowdfunding, we've got the insights you need to navigate this crucial journey. 🔗 Your next big step is just a click away! https://lnkd.in/eEBGRZnE #StartupFunding #AngelInvestors #Crowdfunding #TBDC #EntrepreneurJourney

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The future of Canada's innovation economy is at risk. With this recent budget, risk capital at the earliest stages will become harder to find. Founders will struggle to get off the ground, and those that do, will be motivated to exit earlier. The result: Instead of aligning stakeholders to foster enduring, market-leading businesses, we have locked ourselves into the business of making shark food. For the last 20 years, I’ve participated in the global innovation economy in some shape or form. For much of that time, I’ve believed that the innovation factory, fuelled by angel and venture capital, could disintegrate borders and allow great, enduring companies to be built anywhere. This dream only works if risk capital is universally abundant and available. Countries that have applied tax incentives to motivate the deployment of risk capital have thriving, productive economies, fertile with innovation, and ecosystems established around businesses that endure. Examples include the US with its QSBS exemption, Israel and its Startup Nation program, the UK’s EIS and SEIS programs, and Australia’s ESVCLP program, to name a few. Not only is this not happening in Canada, but because of our adjacency to a more risk-tolerant market, the brain drain is increasing. Our best companies are being acquired. And those that struggle to survive are having a tough time attracting the resources they need to scale into enduring, globally relevant companies. It’s harder to build a company in Canada, and instead of weathering tough times, founders who want to continue living here will simply sell earlier to larger (mainly US) companies. And for immigrant founders, those folks who frequently show up as the co-founders of some of our most valuable companies, leaving will become a much more pragmatic decision.

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📣 We’re charting a course to secure appropriate funding that will help stabilize Alberta’s nonprofit sector! ✋ Help us by filling out this short survey and telling us what your organization would do with new funding. Your responses will be used to inform funders, governments, and other stakeholders about sector priorities and help create recommendations on how to best allocate funding dollars. This survey is open to all Alberta nonprofits. https://lnkd.in/gHrTAUZ7 #ABNonprofits

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Happy to have shared my thoughts again on Viet Vu’s recent research showing the growing pay gap in the tech industry in Canada. In a recent long phone call with my friend Shelley Kuipers, in which we were discussing these common statistics that we share which don’t always seem to make a difference or always even register with people, we talked about how we cannot change a system unless we’re in the system. So whether it’s in Shelley’s world where women founders aren’t going to get more capital unless we have more women deploying capital, or in my world where we won’t close the gender pay gap unless we increase the number of women leaders, we simply will not change the system unless we are IN the system. Enjoy this article by the lovely Lisa Tanh in the Vancouver Tech Journal to see some suggestions of mine on how we can fix this absurd issue in our industry. (Hint: it’s hiring more women) Toast

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Less Canadian VC money doesn’t mean the money will just go to the best startups. Because Canadian VCs are rarely the best or preferred source. It does mean there even more reasons for Canadian tech firms to pursue US capital (and frankly it’s better capital for a number of reasons for many firms). That means Canada loses out on startup control, exit benefits and tech. We need new national incentives for angel, seed and series A investment in Canada by Canadians. But given how anti-investment our current approach is, I don’t think we’ll see it anytime soon.

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🇨🇦 Time for a reality check on Canada's startup ecosystem: I spoke with George Kakaletris, and we discussed Canada's focus on Startups, and how that can be a problem. We're obsessed with "puppies" (early-stage startups) but neglect the "dogs" (growing companies). We shower attention on puppies, then suddenly jump to seeking "show dogs" (unicorns), ignoring the crucial growth stages in between. What's missing? Support for companies at EVERY stage of growth. A "podium" approach like we have for Olympic athletes. Focus on real business needs: finance, operations, HR, distribution, etc. At eQuo, we're changing this. We're creating conditions for success through peer support, practical learning, and addressing the actual needs of growing businesses. We're starting with #CPG companies to help them navigate this complex vertical. Learn more at www.eQuoshift.com and join our community. It's time to stop fixating on VC pitches and build an ecosystem that nurtures companies from puppy to full-grown success. 🐕💼 What are your thoughts on our ecosystem? #CanadianStartups #ScaleUpSupport #EntrepreneurshipEcosystem

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Imagine a Canada without Shopify. What began as a small business now powers millions of entrepreneurial dreams. This is the power of entrepreneurship—it’s not a single moment, but a dynamic journey that transforms industries, communities, and economies. To ensure Canada remains prosperous in the decades ahead, we need to create the conditions that foster and reward entrepreneurial growth. But this journey isn’t just for startups—Canada’s largest and most established companies have a crucial role to play. With the newly launched NACO Canada Angels & Dreams Fellowship Program, we’re clearing the runway for the next generation of Canadian innovators to get lift off. Success is about playing for the long term. Canada’s biggest companies are already getting involved, including senior leaders of industry giants like Amazon AWS, Barclays Canada, Google Canada, Interac, Loblaw Digital, National Bank, Porter Airlines, WestJet, and many others. By supporting the next generation of innovators through this Fellowship, we can help create the structural advantages that drive global competitiveness and transformative growth. Reach out if you want to get involved. Together, we’re building a future where Canada’s entrepreneurs can thrive, innovate, and lead on the world stage. This is just the beginning. #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #AngelsAndDreams #Fellowship #CanadianBusiness https://lnkd.in/gp-dttZT

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𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙥𝙨 𝙏𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚 💭 Maria Pacella of Pender Ventures warns that risk aversion could hinder Canada's SaaS startups. While cutting costs is important, Pacella stresses that startups must also focus on long-term growth to thrive in today’s fast-changing market. Playing it safe might actually be the biggest risk of all! What do you think—should startups take more risks, or is it wiser to play it safe? Let us know in the comments! #SaaS #Startups #GrowthMindset #RiskManagement #TechIndustry #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #CanadaStartups #Tech #Technology

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Spotlight: Kathryn Lockhart, Propel CEO on Atlantic Canada’s tech sector For over two decades, Propel has been part of the growing tech startup ecosystem in Atlantic Canada. About four years ago, Kathryn Lockhart took over as the CEO of the accelerator. She’s spearheaded its shift to a virtual continuous-intake model and pushed forth with what she terms as the ‘baby unicorn’ movement. The Tech Factor caught up with her in this exclusive tete-a-tete. Recently listed among Atlantic Canada’s 25 most powerful women in business by Atlantic Business Magazine, Kathryn Lockhart has spent most of her life in the region. She has a Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Renaissance College, University of New Brunswick, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She highlighted – “Atlantic Canada is a kind, friendly, and welcoming place, but it’s also risk-averse. Founders here need to be brave and comfortable with ambiguity and risk-taking. The challenge is overcoming this risk-averse mentality, especially when it comes to funding. Moreover, founders often need to travel, which can be expensive, to connect with customers, partners, and investors outside the region." Several of Propel's past founder graduates have recommended the program, including Christy Barsalou (Silvestri) of QuickFacts, Imad Boumahdi of PayTic and Joel Muise of Tranquility Online. Read all of Kathryn's thoughts on Propel & Atlantic Canada's tech sector in the link. #propel #accelerator #atlanticcanada cc: Tara Wickwire, Angela Hodgson

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If you’re a startup and need to understand the fundamentals and nuances in raising capital, don’t miss this event put together by Intrinsic Innovations ! Book your spot now because it fills up fast!!! #yyctech #capital #migr8

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