Accelerators
NextAI Announces $5M in Funding to Develop an AI Ecosystem in Canada
Artificial intelligence innovators will be getting a major boost from some of Canada’s largest companies, with a $5 million fund announced today. NextAI is a crucial tool in combating the brain-drain loss of entrepreneurs and talented students to other countries.
January 25, 2017ResolveTO Brings the Focus of Startupfest To the Enterprise Space
Bringing the different sides of the tech enterprise conversation into dialogue at one innovation-and-growth focused conference was what the brains behind the successful Startupfest were committed to do: and ResolveTO is where that conversation comes alive.
January 23, 2017A “Global First Approach” For Growth Potential in Fintech
Dinaro Ly, Director of the MaRS FinTech cluster in Toronto, connects rising fintech companies with financial industry stalwarts. TechPortfolio recently spoke to Dinaro about the potential that smart startups tap into by incorporating cross-border planning and setting their sights on the world market.
January 17, 2017#BCTECH Summit a New Peak For British Columbia’s Tech Scene
The growth numbers don’t lie: British Columbia's tech sector is outpacing the provincial economy, employing over 90,000 people who are earning wages 75% above the provincial average. The upcoming #BCTECH Summit in March isn't just about celebrating the strides that the tech industry has made in BC: it’s about laying out the future of this crucial industry.
January 12, 2017The Millennial-Startup Equation That’s Drawing Investors In
The undeniable business case for startups delivering products and services that speak to the millennial consumer segment is getting stronger by the year.
December 21, 2016Not a Myth: Why Startups That Zero In On Millennials Attract Investment
The digital natives and early adopters of the millennial generation are a central focus for many startups that are attracting major interest — and major funding.
December 16, 2016Startups Vie For $25,000 Investment at IBM SmartCamp
IBM SmartCamp could provide your startup with "life-changing" opportunities, according to Yoly Avalos, Founder and CEO of Bquate.
November 24, 2016Ryerson DMZ Launches Advisory Council for Startups
“The DMZ’s advisory council will play an important role in finding strategic and innovative approaches,” says Mohamed Lachemi, Ryerson’s vice-chancellor.
September 28, 2016Where to After Peak Silicon Valley?
According to a report by the Silicon Valley Competitiveness and Innovation Project, for the first time since 2011, net domestic migration in Silicon Valley was negative.
September 2, 2016StartupFest Revs Up For 2016 in Montréal
Canada’s biggest gathering of startups, VCs, angels, and accelerators is happening from July 13th to 16th, and TechPortfolio is going to be there.
July 8, 2016How to Skill Your Startup
TechPortfolio spoke to Sonia Strimban, manager, Venture Operations at Mars Discovery District about the ideal evolution of startups within the accelerator community and the issues startups run into when it comes to finding employees with the right skills.
June 6, 2016Early-Stage Startups Need More than Tech to Impress Investors
TechPortfolio interviewed investors including iNovia Capital Managing Partner Chris Arsenault and others to learn what they look for in early stage startups – and how they define success.
May 31, 2016Tech Sector Leaders on Funding Challenges Facing Canadian Startups
Startup founders need to think about funding options at all stages of growth. What kind of funding is available – or not – at which stages? We talked to investors and founders about the challenges attracting startup investment, cultural fit, and how some have negotiated funding issues. While everyone we spoke to said there are challenges getting funding, there’s little consensus on where exactly those holes are – or how they should be filled.
May 27, 2016Tech Investors and Founders Identify Bankable Technologies
Entrepreneur and author Seth Godin’s comment from more than a decade ago, which addresses what’s now generally referred to as “disruption,” resonates among entrepreneurs more than ever. To address this, we asked each of our launch week interviewees what technology is going to be the most bankable in the next few years?
May 24, 2016Choosing the Wrong Accelerator Can Get You Nowhere Fast
Accelerators can put startups on a fast track towards growth-stage success, but founders shouldn’t be tempted to apply to a program simply on the basis of acceptance chances. Geography, funding, office space, and mentorship availability are all important, and there are still other factors to keep in mind.
May 18, 2016Mind the Startup Leadership Team Gap, Investors Say
David Cohen, a co-founder and managing partner at Techstars Ventures, said in a 2007 blog post that he won’t rule out sole entrepreneurs, but holds them at a disadvantage. “Look for someone who compliments your skills,” Cohen said. “If you’re great at coding, find someone who’s great at selling or marketing.” Cohen’s investment instincts proved astute as Techstars became an early investor in Uber just two years later.
May 16, 2016When did the Cockroach Crawl into Tech Sector Parlance?
The earliest published reference we could find was from Dave McClure, founding partner at venture fund and seed accelerator 500 Startups in a Wired UK article from 2013. In the piece, McClure calls out entrepreneurs for “trying to build audiences without knowing how to monetise them."
May 2, 2016