Episode Details

Canada has no shortage of world-class entrepreneurs—but are we creating the right conditions for them to build the next generation of global companies here at home? In the second episode of our special summer series Can Canada Meet the Moment?, host Paige Ellis sits down with two successful Canadian founders who offer very different perspectives on one of the country's biggest economic challenges.

Michele Romanow, "Dragon" on CBC's Dragons' Den and Co-Founder of Clearco, argues Canada is making it harder to build and scale startups. She explains why more founders are choosing the U.S., how Canadian policies can discourage innovation, why we protect incumbents instead of challengers, and what needs to change if Canada wants to keep its best entrepreneurs.

Laura McGee, Co-founder of Arterra and Executive Chair of Diversio, offers a more nuanced view. Drawing on her experience building businesses in both Canada and the United States, she explains why founders look south for capital, the cultural differences between the two countries, what Canada gets right, and why she believes Canadian entrepreneurs can still build world-class companies from home.

If Canada wants to become a global innovation leader, what has to change? This conversation explores the policies, culture, capital, and mindset shaping the future of Canadian entrepreneurship.

Subscribe to In the Money with Amber Kanwar for more conversations with the investors, founders, and business leaders shaping Canada's future.

Timestamps

00:06 Can Canada Meet the Moment brought to you by Forum Asset Management

01:02 Meet Michelle Romanow

02:34 Rapid-fire warmup

08:21 Founder identity

11:11 Why Canada loses startups

14:11 Policy vs culture

20:16 Rewarding oligopolies

25:51 Founders voting with their feet

27:31 Defense, health, and AI

38:10 Canada’s AI opportunity

43:01 Meet Laura McGee

47:17 Diversio fundraising struggle

53:02 Delaware structure and Canada

01:05:52 Silicon Valley Bank collapse

01:13:45 — What Canada must change

Sponsors

This show is brought to you by Forum Asset Management, presenting sponsor of our Innovation Special: Can Canada Meet the Moment. Learn more at https://forumam.com.

Thank you to our partners at ATB Financial.  ATB Cormark Capital Markets is a leading North American investment firm providing holistic corporate and capital markets advice and full-service financial solutions. Visit ATB.com/inthemoney for more information.

For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit https://raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.

Thank you to our partners at Hamilton ETFs. For more information visit hamiltonetfs.com 

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The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.

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