🔥 HOT TOPICS

We are exactly 15 days away from 2026, and the Canadian tech ecosystem is not slowing down for the holidays.

While most of us are trying to wrap up Q4 (and find a last-minute reservation for team dinner), the federal government and a few major founders just dropped some massive news.

If you thought December was for hibernation, think again. Here is what is happening in Canadian tech right now.

⚛️ The Big Story: Canada’s Quantum Moonshot

The federal government just cut some very big checks.

Ottawa is officially going all-in on quantum, announcing up to $23M each for the "Big Four" of Canadian quantum: Nord Quantique, Xanadu, Photonic, and Anyon.

Why it matters: This is not just R&D money; it is a sovereignty play. With the U.S. racing toward a commercial quantum computer by 2033, Canada is making sure our domestic champions have the runway to stay here (and stay independent).

The Whisper: The word on the street is that Xanadu (proudly a TechTO Canadian Rocketship 2025) is eyeing a public listing in 2026 via a SPAC. If that happens, it could be the icebreaker our IPO market has been waiting for since 2021. 🧊🔨

💰 The Money: The "Missing Middle" is back

We have spent all year talking about the Seed crunch, but the growth stage is heating up.

Beacon Software (Toronto) just raised a massive $250M USD Series B.

• The Playbook: CEO Nilam Ganenthiran is not just building software; he is building an "AI Holding Company." The strategy? Buy "boring" Main Street businesses (logistics, education) and supercharge them with AI.

• Founder Lesson: You do not always have to invent the model. Sometimes, you just need to reinvent the efficiency.

1Password just hit $400M USD ARR.

• Jeff Shiner and the team are not rushing to ring the bell at the NYSE just yet, but they are proving that you can scale a global giant from the North.

☕ Water Cooler Talk

The "AI Minister"?
Evan Solomon has been making the rounds with the C100, and the chatter is that he is taking a hands-on approach to "AI Sovereignty." Expect Budget 2026 to have some very specific language about weaning off U.S. tech dependence.

The Drama 😬

It would not be a startup ecosystem without a little friction. A new report dropped today about "hallucinated citations" in over 50 deep-tech research papers. It is a good reminder for all of us: Validation matters. Build cool things, but make sure the science backs it up.

What do you think?

If you think Canada is getting this Winter of Integration right - or completely wrong -click into the post below and tell us why. The best replies might make it into a future newsletter.

PARTNER PERKS

BOAST x TechTO at SAAS NORTH: The Series

If you are building in Canada, SR&ED is one of the most powerful (and misunderstood) levers to extend runway. That is why we teamed up with Boast at SAAS NORTH for a special mini-series on how founders actually unlock R&D funding without getting buried in paperwork.

Explore our social channels to watch previous episodes, catch up on the full series, and discover insights from founders and operators across the tech ecosystem.

Who is Boast?

Boast helps startups and scaleups claim SR&ED and R&D tax credits in Canada (and the US), with a process designed to reduce audit risk and save time. Their team pairs real tax + technical expertise with AI to capture eligible work, organize evidence, and streamline the claim end to end.

TechTO Member Perk: 10% Off + Free SR&ED Assessment

TechTO members get 10% off your first-year R&D Tax Credit application plus a free SR&ED Tech Scoping Assessment (a quick, expert review of what qualifies and how to structure a stronger claim).

How to redeem:

Email Carlos Coelho at [email protected] with the subject line: Referral from TechTO - TechTO Member

Restrictions: Available for first-year applications only.

🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS

• Together Toronto: Monday, January 12 @ 6:00pm - REGISTER HERE

• Commerce Toronto: Wednesday, January 21 @ 5:30pm - EARLY-BIRD TICKETS HERE

• Sales Toronto 2026: Wednesday, February 09 @ 6:00pm - EARLY-BIRD TICKETS HERE

• Health Toronto 2026: Wednesday, February 25 @ 6:00pm - EARLY-BIRD TICKETS HERE

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🎤 Know Someone Who Should Be on the TechTO Stage?

We’re always looking to spotlight founders, operators, and builders with powerful stories; the kind that inspire, teach, and move the Canadian tech community forward.

If you know someone whose journey deserves the mic - from early stumbles to breakout momentum - we want to hear from you.

Help us bring fresh voices and new perspectives to future TechTO events and podcasts.

👀 OPPORTUNITIES TO WATCH

🎉 For a Limited Time: Get 20% Off TechTO Membership

If you have ever thought about joining TechTO, this is the moment.

For a short time, you can unlock 20% off annual Membership using the code RESOLUTION at checkout; your invitation to start 2026 surrounded by the founders, operators, and community shaping Canadian tech.

A TechTO Membership gives you:

• Complimentary access to all Together Toronto events

• Priority seating + members-only networking lounges

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• Job board posting access for hiring teams

• Early invitations to limited-capacity gatherings, workshops, and private sessions

If you are serious about building in tech, this is where you meet the people who accelerate your next step; whether that is a co-founder, a job lead, a partner, or a breakthrough idea.

The discount ends soon.

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