The current global trade turbulence—fueled by geopolitics, tariff instability, and technological disruption—may appear to signal retreat. But for Canada’s innovation ecosystem, it is in fact a time to double down. Now is the moment for angel investors, entrepreneurs, post-secondary institutions, and government funders to lean in together and build resilient, future-focused infrastructure to support Canadian ingenuity.
We Must Cultivate a National Entrepreneurial Mindset
We need to emphasize entrepreneurship as an honorable and viable career path starting in high school, continuing into colleges and universities. Market uncertainty has caused corporations and individuals alike—angel investors, entrepreneurs, family offices, and sovereign wealth funds—to hesitate. Capital is sitting on the sidelines. It’s precisely at this time that governments must step in not to pick winners or losers, but to enable the infrastructure where private investors can identify promising new innovators and support their growth.
Why Infrastructure for Individual Investors (Angels) Matters Now More Than Ever
Venture funds have underperformed in recent years. Many VCs are now struggling to raise new funds, and even more alarmingly, the number of startups coming through their pipelines has shrunk. In this vacuum, promising entrepreneurs increasingly look south to the U.S. for funding, further weakening our domestic startup funnel. But Canada has world-class securities regulation and a strong capital markets reputation. What we lack is liquidity and infrastructure for early-stage funding. This is where accredited individual investors—angels—can make the difference. And this is where governments must help strengthen the connective tissue, not just through funding, but through policy and collaboration.
10 Opportunities Emerging from the Trade and Technological Shift
- Reinforce Entrepreneurial Education at All Levels
Embed entrepreneurship and innovation thinking into high school and post-secondary curricula. Treat company-building as a civic and economic good.
- Rebuild Startup Capital Infrastructure with Angels at the Core
Support angel groups through stable, long-term public-private programs. Like we fund roads and R&D, we must now fund the deal roads that connect capital to innovators. - Capitalize on Canada’s Safe and Transparent Capital Market Reputation
Global uncertainty creates demand for trustworthy jurisdictions. Let’s position Ontario and Canada as top-tier destinations for capital deployment—especially for foreign sovereign wealth funds.
- Address the Shrinking VC Funnel by Filling It from the Bottom
The fewer startups reaching VCs isn’t just a VC problem—it’s a Canadian innovation problem. Government and educational institutions must work with AIO and other angel entities to flood the pipeline.
- Reimagine University Research Commercialization with Investor Insight
Currently, just 3% of research sees commercialization. Angels can help universities better allocate research funding at the front end by flagging fundable ideas early—and then guiding them to market.
- Correct the Assumption That Angel Infrastructure Should Self-Fund
Many angels are successful former entrepreneurs with numerous alternative investments. They still need policy tools and incentives, including tax credits, to keep investing in early-stage, high-risk innovation.
- Expand on BC’s Successful Tax Credit Model
BC’s 20+ year-old program generated over 250 new companies each year and $2 billion in capital formation. Ontario and Canada must replicate and modernize this approach to unlock similar results.
- Leverage the AI Wave as a Human Resource Realignment
AI could displace up to 20% of knowledge workers, many earning over $100,000/year. These talented individuals could become Canada’s next great entrepreneurs—if we’re ready to support them.
- Enable Leaner, Smarter Startups Through AI Tools
Legal, accounting, software development—AI will reduce overhead and team size. New startups can be more capital efficient from day one. That’s a win for investors and founders alike.
- Use Social Media Trends to Position Angels as Trusted Guides
The OSC’s Finfluencer Effect report is a timely reminder that young investors often turn to TikTok or YouTube for financial advice. Organized angel groups can cut through the noise and offer credible pathways for both investing and fundraising, helping citizens navigate a new, noisy financial landscape.
Final Thought
We don’t have the luxury of time. Startups are struggling to find capital. VCs are drying up. Angels need policy support. And a rising wave of displaced knowledge workers could become our best next entrepreneurs—if we give them a reason to stay.
Let’s seize this moment of global disruption to build a smarter, stronger, and more connected Canadian innovation economy.
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