Why you should come to Source Canada

Last week at the Milken Institute's Global Dialogues Toronto, Jeremy Carter, Global Analytical Head at Fitch Ratings, said Canada needs thousands of investible projects, not a handful. TMX CEO John McKenzie suggested a minor projects office to help small companies through complex approval processes (The Logic).

Those two viewpoints capture both the mission of Source Canada and the headwinds facing our innovators. The barrier we can lower fastest is customers.

That's why we created Source Canada, October 22 in Toronto. Register here.

Our breakout companies have found more capital and bigger contracts in the US, so that's where they’ve migrated. If we want thousands of fast-growing companies and not a handful, they need to be able to find their first customers at home.

Right now they can't.

Fact: Canadian corporations engage with startups, as investors or as customers, far less than their American counterparts.

Fact: Recent defence procurement innovations notwithstanding, federal, provincial and municipal governments also have low engagement with startups.

Fact: Founders have learned the Canadian playbook: win customers abroad first, and only then be deemed good enough to sell at home.

Procurement is one action that can be taken immediately, without a Budget vote or a change to the tax code. Trade disputes only strengthen the case: more domestic sources of innovation make our businesses stronger and our economy more resilient.

On October 22, hundreds of Canadian innovators will be in one room with buyers from large corporations and the government.

If you are a corporate or government leader, come meet hundreds of vetted Canadian companies in one day. Many already sell internationally and have been overlooked at home. Access the Source Canada dealbook and engage with them 1:1.

If you are an investor, come meet founders from across Canada in defence tech, AI, quantum, cyber security and deep tech.

If you are a founder, come be in a room that is 100% focused on helping you find customers.

Seats are limited by design, so everyone meets the people they came to meet.