Once a quarter, we celebrate the operators -- the backbones of the startup ecosystem.
Startup Ecosystem Canada is proud to support these gatherings, hosted by one of our partners Ryan Wong, bringing together 50+ fractional leaders, consultants, and service-based professionals for an evening of genuine connection and collaboration.
Take a look back at the 16th Private Fractional C-Suite and Consultants Dinner in Downtown Toronto, just a few weeks ago, bringing together CTOs, CFOs, COOs, CMOs, and consultants to share insights, build relationships, and strengthen the broader Canadian innovation ecosystem.
To stay in the loop about future opportunities, join the network today: https://www.startupecosystem.ca/my-account/
Happy Mother’s Day from Startup Ecosystem Canada!
Canada’s startup community is powered by bold ideas, resilient founders, and behind so many of them… incredible mothers who inspire strength, sacrifice, and ambition every day.
From mothers building businesses, to moms supporting dreams behind the scenes, to women leading innovation across Canada - their impact shapes families, communities, and the future.
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate every mother who nurtures growth, encourages courage, and reminds us that success begins with love and support.
Tag a mother who inspires you or a mom entrepreneur making an incredible difference. Let’s shine a light on the amazing women in our community.
#MothersDay #StartupEcosystemCanada #WomenInBusiness #CanadianStartups
In advance of CIX last month, Startup Ecosystem Canada partnered with Startup Grind Toronto to host an intimate founders & investors mixer — designed for one thing: meaningful connection.
The goal was simple: put the right people in the room and let momentum build naturally.
If you missed this one, stay connected for more opportunities by joining the Startup Ecosystem Canada network today: https://www.startupecosystem.ca/my-account/
#StartupEcosystemCanada #TorontoTech #Founders #VentureCapital #StartupCommunity
Startup Ecosystem Canada had the pleasure of launching our York U Student-Led Club, marking the occassion by hosting a panel on Entrepreneurship in STEM.
We explored the journey from scientist to startup founder with four incredible speakers joining us:
• Donghoon Lee, CEO & Co-Founder @ Omphalos Lifesciences
• Mobeen Lailani, Manager, Technology & Venture Development @ Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners
• Dr. Nafiseh Nafissi, CTO @ Mediphage Bioceuticals & Professor, University of Waterloo
• Anita Stanga, AstraZeneca & Regional Director, Healthcare Businesswoman's Association
Moderated by: Nadeen, SEC York U Student President
A huge thank you to all who joined. The candid conversation on what it really takes to turn research into a company inspired the room!
At Startup Ecosystem Canada, we’re proud to support Canada’s student innovation landscape through our national network of student-led startup clubs, bringing the next generation of founders closer to the people who are building today.
💡 Want to connect or bring your student startup community into the network? To learn more, visit: https://www.startupecosystem.ca/national-university-clubs/
On World Health Day last week, we chose to spotlight the startup ecosystem leaders making impact in Canadian health innovation.
This year’s theme, “Together for health. Stand with science,” came to life through insights from Martina Scenna, Lead of the Breakthrough Fund™ at SickKids Foundation. From breakthrough ideas to real-world impact, this is what happens when philanthropy, research, and ecosystem collaboration come together to change lives.
Her perspective highlights the critical early-stage funding gap in pediatric research and the need for stronger collaboration to move innovation forward. Through a venture philanthropy model, the Breakthrough Fund™ is helping accelerate promising discoveries from lab to bedside. It is a clear example of how science, funding, and collective action can come together to transform healthcare outcomes.
Learn more, and read the original Startup Ecosystem Canada article here: https://www.startupecosystem.ca/news/ecosystem-leader-highlight-world-health-day-edition/
Canada’s startup ecosystem is evolving, and women founders are at the centre of that shift.
Our latest SEC Original, Startup Ecosystem Leaders – International Women’s Month Edition, explores how women-led companies are driving over $100 billion in economic activity while supporting more than one million jobs across the country.
This is not just about representation. It is about a different approach to building.
Leaders like Dr. Shazhan Amed, CEO and Founder of Haibu Health and Clinical Professor at UBC, AJ Tibando, CEO of Shift Canada, and Anna Sinclair, CEO of Sinclair Creative Agency and Founder of The Self-Made Breakfast Tour, are redefining what success looks like in Canada’s innovation economy. The focus is shifting toward purpose-driven growth, sustainable business models, and real community impact.
While funding gaps still exist, momentum is building. More founders are accessing the capital, networks, and support needed to scale, and they are doing so on their own terms.
The takeaway is clear. Women founders are not just participating in Canada’s startup ecosystem. They are reshaping it.
Read the full article by Doha Hanno to hear directly from the leaders building what comes next. https://www.startupecosystem.ca/news/startup-ecosystem-leaders-international-womens-month-edition/
Startup Ecosystem Canada excited to partner with Founders & Funders to kick-off Toronto Tech Week!
We’re passionate about building strong founder communities and creating meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem leaders to connect. That’s why we’re looking forward to partner on an event designed to bring the right people into the room for thoughtful, high-signal conversations.
Founders & Funders’ VC ReversePitch™ format offers a refreshing approach to startup networking, with investors sharing first what they are actively looking to invest in, including sectors, stages, and check sizes, before networking begins. It gives founders valuable insight upfront and helps create more intentional and relevant connections throughout the evening.
We’re looking forward to a strong night of community and conversation during Toronto Tech Week.
Register here: /fnfxto0526
Big news for the York University community — Startup Ecosystem Canada is officially launching its York U Student Club! 🎉
To mark the occasion, we're hosting a panel on Entrepreneurship in STEM, exploring the journey from scientist to startup founder with four incredible speakers:
• Donghoon Lee, CEO & Co-Founder @ Omphalos Lifesciences
• Mobeen Lailani, Manager, Technology & Venture Development @ Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners
• Dr. Nafiseh Nafissi, CTO @ Mediphage Bioceuticals & Professor, University of Waterloo
• Anita Stanga, AstraZeneca & Regional Director, Healthcare Businesswoman's Association
Moderated by: Nadeen, SEC York U Student President
Expect a candid conversation on commercialization, R&D funding, and what it really takes to turn research into a company — plus networking after. We hope to see you there!
Register Here: /qy11j6zr
Black leaders deserve to be recognized and engaged beyond a single month.
Startup Ecosystem Canada recently spoke with Black leaders shaping Canada’s startup ecosystem, including Nicolle Grant of TD Women in Enterprise and David C. Uponi of BLCK VC Canada and BDC. Through their perspectives, we explored what leadership looks like today, the structural barriers that still exist, and what meaningful change requires across capital access, sponsorship, and ecosystem design.
Both conversations highlight a clear message. Progress in visibility is real, but sustainable change depends on building systems that consistently embed Black leaders in decision making roles, strengthen early access to venture pathways, and expand institutional accountability beyond symbolic moments. At the same time, their insights offer practical guidance for the next generation of founders on building with confidence, leveraging Canada’s advantages, and strengthening community as core infrastructure.
This series is part of our ongoing effort to spotlight the voices shaping Canada’s innovation economy and to better understand what is needed to build a more equitable and globally competitive startup ecosystem.
Read the full feature from Startup Ecosystem Canada.
These are the environments where future founders get their start. And more importantly, where community, collaboration, and creativity come together in real time.
In March 2026 at Hack Canada 2026 in Waterloo, Eleni from the Startup Ecosystem Canada team was on-the-ground at Hack Canada on the judging panel hearing directly from the builders themselves.
From first-time hackers to experienced student founders, one thing was clear: there’s an incredible wave of talent across Canada that’s not just learning, but actively creating solutions to real-world problems.
In this video, we spoke with a few of the people shaping that energy: sharing what their experiences, what they learned, and why spaces like Hack Canada matter.
- James Cao (Hack Canada)
- Hendryck De Los Santos (Google)
- Edward Drobnis (Hack Canada)
- Alan Paulin (Co-Founder, Mavis)
- Alex Chan (Hack Canada Participant)
- Evan (Hack Canada Participant)
A huge shoutout again to the Hack Canada team, organizers, volunteers, and SPUR for creating a space where this kind of innovation can thrive.
At Startup Ecosystem Canada, we’re excited to keep supporting and spotlighting the next generation of builders across the country!
#StartupEcosystemCanada #HackCanada #StudentFounders #Innovation #TechCanada #FutureBuilders
Startup Ecosystem Canada is excited to announce the launch of our new City Program initiative — first stop.... Montreal. 🇨🇦
Please join us in welcoming Michelle Lingham as our new Community Lead, Montreal.
Michelle is a community builder and immigration advisor with over 17 years of experience connecting talent, founders, and organizations across Australia and Canada’s innovation economy. She specializes in supporting high-skill talent in sectors such as technology, energy, and healthcare.
As the Community Lead for Startup Ecosystem Canada in Montreal, Michelle is focused on growing the local startup ecosystem by bringing together founders, investors, universities, and partners through events, partnerships, and community initiatives. Her goal is to strengthen Montreal’s position within Canada’s broader startup network while supporting the next generation of builders. Michelle brings a strong foundation in relationship-building, public speaking, and leadership, and is committed to long-term growth and integration within the Quebec ecosystem.
Welcome to the team, Michelle! 🙌
#StartupEcosystemCanada #MontrealStartups #Innovation #CommunityBuilding #CanadianTech
As part of International Women's Month, the Startup Ecosystem Canada team had an energizing afternoon supporting DMZ’s Women Innovation Summit 2026 earlier this month at the Design Exchange in Toronto, surrounded by founders, funders, and allies who are “All In” on building a more inclusive innovation economy.
We heard powerful insights from host Amber Mac, Toronto Metropolitan University Provost Dr. Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, and the “Women in Tech: Shaping What’s Next” panel featuring Kumutha Ramanathan, Deb Pimental, Vicky Laurens, and Natasha Gagnon on leadership, innovation, and the future of tech in Canada.
A major highlight was the fireside chat between DMZ’s 2026 Woman of the Year, Isabelle Hudon, President and CEO of BDC, and Elevate CEO Lisa Zarzeczny, diving into what it takes to turn commitment into real change for women founders.
We also watched ten women tech founders pitch live for up to $200K in investment, including standout companies like July Health, Knead Technologies, and ClassClown driving innovation in AI, climate solutions, and women’s health.
Huge thank you to DMZ and Elevate for convening such a powerful room of builders, investors, and ecosystem leaders—scroll through to see a few of our favourite moments from the summit.
