The Momentum Issue: Budgets, Builders & Big Opportunities in Canadian Tech

💰 Budget 2025: Cautiously Optimistic - But Are Founders Convinced?

The 2025 Canadian Federal Budget has landed, and while it offers glimmers of progress for the tech ecosystem, reactions have been mixed between “finally” and “still not enough.”

Here are 4 key takeaways from BetaKit’s full coverage

1. Capital Gains Relief (With a Twist)

   The new framework cuts capital gains taxes for founders and investors, but the fine print leaves some wondering how much relief it truly delivers.

2. AI + Cleantech Get a Boost

   Ottawa doubled down on strategic bets in artificial intelligence, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, pointing to a longer-term innovation play.

3. Talent Pipeline Strengthened

   Programs supporting international tech workers and startup visas are expanding, helping Canadian startups stay competitive in global talent wars.

4. Funding Access Still Clunky

   Despite optimism, accessing federal funding remains complex — with many founders still struggling to navigate red tape.

💬 Founders’ Take

Partner at N49P and TechTO Co-Founder Alex Norman shared his candid view on the 2025 budget:

Some founders said…

🌟SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT

Ben Wise

Ben Wise, Co-Founder of Captivate, helps people master the psychology of communication and persuasion. After years applying these principles in sales, Ben launched Captivate as a newsletter — which quickly grew into a thriving speaking and training business. His approach blends practical psychology with storytelling, turning theory into tools anyone can use to communicate with impact.

Ben’s work has resonated deeply with founders, teams, and leaders who crave content that’s useful, fun, and real — earning Captivate consistent praise across every session and event.

What you’ll learn:

• The science of persuasion: How to use psychology to make your message memorable.

• From speaking to storytelling: Learn how Captivate grew from a newsletter into a company by sharing insights that stick.

• How to build trust through communication: Practical ways to connect with audiences, customers, and teams.

• Why compassion is a founder’s superpower: Ben shares how empathy can fuel both growth and leadership.

Mark Walker

Mark Walker is the CEO of Nue.io, a next-generation CPQ, self-service, and billing platform used by 99% of enterprise AI companies. With four startups under his belt, Mark’s deep experience helps him see what many founders miss: to be great at something, you must be bad at something else.

Mark built Nue.io after speaking with 70+ top revenue leaders in the Bay Area, identifying one clear insight — data models, not features, define long-term success. Today, Nue powers the quote-to-cash infrastructure of the world’s most forward-thinking tech companies.

What you’ll learn:

• Why data beats features: How the right data model becomes your company’s most defensible advantage.

• Scaling smart: Lessons from managing explosive growth after landing your first enterprise customers.

• Building for the AI era: Insights from powering billing and revenue operations for top AI companies.

• The power of focus: How to delegate effectively and zero in on what truly moves the needle.
  

OPPORTUNITIES TO WATCH 👀

Early-Bird Tickets Now Live for TechTO Rocketships 2025

Don’t miss the lift-off - early birds, this one’s for you! 🚀

Early-bird tickets for TechTO Canadian Rocketships 2025 are officially live — but only until November 16.

Join us at Toronto City Hall on December 1 for our biggest celebration of the year — spotlighting the startups that are propelling Canada’s tech scene to new heights.

🎟️ Early-Bird Price: $39.55

📅 Event Date: Monday, December 1 @ 6 PM

📍 Location: Toronto City Hall

Don’t wait until prices go up — this event always sells out fast.

💼 NEXT BIG GIGS

Check out the next big gigs in tech we think you’ll love:

• University of Toronto Entrepreneurship (UTE) is hiring a Marketing & Communications Officer to lead multi-channel campaigns, social strategy, and storytelling across U of T’s startup ecosystem. Contract role based at St. George (Downtown Toronto) with impact across 12+ campus-linked accelerators.

• Motion, the AI-driven command center for creative strategists, is hiring 2 Customer Success Manager (remote, Canada or USA) to onboard and coach top DTC brands on creative analytics. Competitive comp (C$100–120k + equity) and a fully remote, fast-growing “creative-tech” team.

• Cohere is looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer, Prompt Specialist (remote, Toronto-based) to help enterprises deploy agentic AI using Cohere’s North platform. You’ll optimize prompts, build tools, and ship LLM-powered agents with customers like RBC and Dell.

Looking to hire or get hired? Check out the TechTO Job Board to see 1,000+ opportunities and learn how to get your companies jobs featured.

📆 MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Sales Toronto: Wednesday, November 12 @ 6:00pm — REGISTER HERE

  Join TechTO for engaging conversations with leaders in tech and sales.
  

• Health Toronto: Wednesday, November 19 @ 6:00pm — REGISTER HERE

  Discover how tech is reshaping healthcare with insights from industry leaders.
  

• TechTO Canadian Rocketships 2025: Monday, December 1 @ 6:00pm — REGISTER HERE

  Spotlighting and celebrating the Canadian startups propelling our tech ecosystem to new heights.
  

• YC Alumni Holiday Party 2025: Wednesday, December 3 @ 6:00pm — APPLY HERE

  For Startup Founders Only, by application.
  

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

  Join TechTO for in-depth conversations with tech leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

Don’t forget to lock in your year of TechTO! Subscribe to our full events calendar

🤝 GET MORE WITH TECHTO

If you’re looking for more ways to connect with the tech world, our TechTO Membership is a great way to interact with others building in the space.

Our membership program already supports hundreds of entrepreneurs and professionals building the next best companies in Canadian tech. Take advantage of exclusive members-only events, and opportunities to meet those who will inspire your next big idea. Learn more about our Membership options here.