Venture Hub
Explore the hub where we spotlight the ideas, people, and trends shaping the future of entrepreneurship. From startup news and ecosystem analysis to founder journeys and investor perspectives, this is where the pulse of the startup world lives—especially for those building and scaling in Canada and beyond.
Build vs. Buy: A Real Startup Dilemma for Early-Stage Founders
You’ve just landed your first pilot customer. You’ve got $50K in the bank, a part-time developer, and 6 weeks to show something real.
The customer wants a dashboard, notifications, and some kind of reporting. You’re wondering: should we build all this custom? Or hack it together with Airtable, Zapier, and Google Sheets?
Welcome to the "build vs. buy" dilemma. Every early-stage founder hits this wall. And the right decision isn’t always obvious.
Here’s a grounded way to think through it, based on real startup experience.
Webinar Series: Building a Strategic Technology Roadmap with Harel Lichtenstein
What does a clear, intentional technology plan look like for a startup?
In our latest session, Harel Lichtenstein, MASc, P.Eng., shared a structured approach to building technology roadmaps that support long-term business goals. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in both hardware and software at companies like Intel, Microsoft and Marvell, Harel outlined what it takes to move from vision to execution.
Canada’s AI Compute Access Fund: Fueling the Next Wave of Innovation
Canada is making a decisive move to strengthen its AI ecosystem.
Through the launch of the AI Compute Access Fund, the federal government is investing up to $300 million to help AI-focused startups and scale-ups access the cloud computing power they need to grow. The fund is part of Canada’s broader Sovereign AI Compute Strategy, a national initiative aimed at boosting domestic innovation, productivity, and global competitiveness.
Prioritize Cost-Effective Innovation – Achieve More with Less
Innovation is the lifeblood of every startup, but it doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Prioritizing cost-effective innovation means finding smart, resourceful ways to push boundaries while keeping expenses in check. In a lean startup environment, every dollar should drive creativity and impact without draining your runway.
Webinar Series: Navigating the Canadian Fintech Ecosystem
Today, our startup founders joined an engaging session with Mark Sam to explore the fundamentals of Canada’s fintech landscape.
Mark Sam is the Founder & Managing Director of Major Street Enterprises, a boutique consulting firm that helps digital banking and fintech executives grow open banking, embedded finance and AI enabled revenues. He previously led Plaid’s Canadian growth and held senior roles at BCG and Accenture. He shared practical insights into how Canada’s concentrated banking sector, evolving regulatory environment, and upcoming innovations like open banking are shaping the market for fintech entrants.
Canada's FinTech Revolution: How Open Banking Will Change the Game
Canada's FinTech sector is booming, driving innovation across digital payments, lending, wealth management, and more. However, the most significant leap forward is still on the horizon: open banking. This emerging regulatory framework will enable secure data sharing between banks and fintech startups, fundamentally reshaping Canada’s financial landscape.
What do corporate buyers really want from B2B Startups?
This week, our founders got a behind-the-scenes look at enterprise procurement in a session led by Carl Karichian, the youngest Associate VP in Canadian Tire’s history, self-taught programmer, certified Scrum Master, and digital strategist.
How AI is Empowering Individual Entrepreneurs in 2025
As Canada advances its leadership in AI and inclusive innovation, supporting AI-enabled solo entrepreneurs can unlock a new wave of agile, diverse, and scalable startups. By lowering barriers, these tools empower greater participation from international and underrepresented founders, strengthening Canada’s innovation ecosystem.
How to Validate a Business Idea Using Vibe Coding.
You do not need a technical background or a DEV team to validate an idea. You need curiosity, hustle, and the right tools. With Vibe Coding, you can validate a business idea using no-code tools, customer conversations, and low-risk experiments. Start small. Learn quickly. Build only when there is a real need to solve.
Sustainable Growth: The New Imperative for Global Startups.
The "growth at all costs" era is officially over. Founders and investors worldwide are now prioritizing sustainability, profitability, and disciplined strategy. This isn’t just a temporary trend, it's a pivotal evolution shaping startups for lasting success.
Webinar Series: Leveraging Government Incentives presented by Deloitte
This week, our founders explored this question in a session led by Sudha Correia, Director, Global Investment & Innovation Incentives at Deloitte.
Think It’s a Good Idea? Prove It First.
Assumptions are everywhere. Left unchecked, they create risk. When validated, they provide clarity and direction.
Test early. Test often. Real feedback is your best ally. It helps you stop guessing and start growing with purpose.
Canada’s Pre-Seed Funding Shift: What Early-Stage Founders Should Know in 2025
Canada’s early-stage investment landscape is adjusting. As the criteria for investment sharpen, opportunities still exist for those who adapt and execute. Founders who are focused, data-driven, and well-connected to support networks can make 2025 a breakout year.
Don’t Hire Until It Hurts! Build a Lean, Impactful Team.
Don’t hire until it hurts. By holding off on expanding your team until there’s a clear, pressing need, you protect your startup’s agility, culture, and resource efficiency. In the lean startup journey, every hire should add undeniable value, ensuring that your team remains as impactful and dynamic as your vision for success.
Canada’s Winning Edge: How Diversity and Immigration Fuel Startup Growth
Canada’s approach to talent and immigration has become one of its greatest strengths in building a thriving startup ecosystem. By embracing inclusive policies and encouraging diversity, Canada is not only welcoming skilled professionals from around the world, but it’s also unlocking new levels of innovation and business potential.
Webinar Series: Go-to-Market Strategy with Jimmy Zamani
Our founders had the opportunity to dive into a private session led by Jimmy Zamani, a former UberEATS launch associate and seasoned growth strategist.
Manage Cash Burn: Ignite Smart Spending for Startup Success
In the early stages of your startup, every dollar counts. Managing cash burn isn’t about being stingy—it’s about being smart. Every decision, every expense, and every investment should be purposeful and aligned with your path to sustainable growth.
Startup Spotlight: EasyFits – Revolutionizing Online Shopping Confidence
Easyfits' team set out with the mission to address customer struggles around clothing fit uncertainties while shopping online, transforming these common worries into confident, enjoyable shopping experiences through their unique approach to virtual fitting.
Canada’s Cleantech Boom: Why Now Is the Moment to Get Involved
Canada’s cleantech startups are defying global trends—with investment deals surging 50%! Global leaders like Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy are betting big, and government support has never been stronger. Is this Canada’s moment as a global cleantech powerhouse?
Why Iteration Is Your Startup’s Superpower
Iteration is no longer a choice; it is the engine that drives real progress. If you are waiting for perfection, you are already falling behind.