ELEVATOR PITCH 🎥

It’s time for another episode of the TechTO ‘Elevator Pitch Series’. We get pitched by up-and-coming startups as we ride the elevator 18 floors. A literal Elevator Pitch.

In today's newest episode of the Elevator Pitch Series, we're joined by Serina Ahmad, CEO and Co-Founder of Trusti, making at home STI testing more accessible and faster.

Check out her full pitch and let us know what you think.

If you’re curious to learn more about Trusti and what they can do for you, visit https://www.trusti.ca

OUR TAKE 💻

Introducing Our Take, where we feature our own perspectives from across the TechTO team. Today, TechTO Co-Founder and current partner at N49P, Alex Norman weighed in on “Brain Drain” a hot topic for Canadians in tech right now!

Let’s dive in.

Brain Drain: A Non-Issue or Misunderstood Advantage?

The article challenges the prevailing anxiety around "brain drain" in Canadian tech — the outflow of talent to places like Silicon Valley — arguing that it's often misunderstood. Migration, including the departure of high-potential tech professionals, is part of a healthy, global economy. Moreover, many of these professionals eventually “boomerang” back to Canada, bringing valuable experience and contributing to the ecosystem.

Rather than worrying, the focus should be on strengthening local opportunities, highlighting Canadian tech success stories, and encouraging entrepreneurship. Brain drain, when viewed holistically, can be a long-term asset rather than a threat.

Key Insights for Canadian Tech:

Brain Drain Is Natural—and Sometimes Beneficial

• Migration for economic opportunity is normal; top talent is mobile.

• Many high-achievers return (“boomerang effect”), enriching the local ecosystem with international experience.

Career Acceleration, Not Just Money, Drives Talent Abroad

• While U.S. salaries seem higher, adjusted for cost of living, they’re not drastically better.

• The real pull is access to career-defining challenges, prestige, and ecosystem density—especially in places like Silicon Valley.

Global Experience Fuels Canadian Innovation

• ~66% of Canadian tech founders had international work experience.

• Among Globe & Mail’s “$100M Club” companies, ~74% had at least one founder with significant global experience.

Brain Gain Is Happening Too

• Immigrants make up one-third of Canadian business owners with paid staff, significantly contributing to tech and small business growth.

When Brain Drain Should Actually Concern Us

• If top founders feel they must leave Canada to succeed.

• If the “boomerang” stops—i.e., talent doesn’t return.

• When entire families leave, indicating long-term disconnection.

Actionable Ways to Strengthen the Ecosystem

• Raise compensation via better funding and salary strategies.

• Celebrate Canadian wins—highlight under-told success stories.

• Foster entrepreneurship within startups to grow founder density.

• Be patient—as the ecosystem matures, better roles and higher pay will follow.

Read the full piece on our blog and share your thoughts

ANNOUNCEMENT: MORE TECH WEEK EVENTS TO LOVE ❤️

Don't just watch the trends, join the conversation instead during Toronto Tech Week at TechTO HQ. Our Market Overview stages are where you get the inside scoop on the industries being redefined by tech — all in one place.


Here's what to expect:

• FinTech: June 23 at 1:00pm– Hosted by Interac Corp., join a 2-hour deep dive session with the biggest names in FinTech and featuring a market outlook and a review of several innovations leading the way — Apply to join here
  

• PropTech: June 23 at 4:00pm – Join us for a 2-hour deep dive into the rapidly evolving PropTech landscape. This session will unpack key trends shaping the future of construction, residential & commercial real estate. Thanks to our research partners at Proptech Collective — Apply to join here 
  

• InsurTech: June 25 at 1:00pm – Dive into the evolving world of InsurTech with this in-depth market overview that explores how technology is reshaping the insurance industry. This session will highlight the key trends, emerging startups, and investment opportunities transforming the sector. Thanks to our research partners at Koru — Apply to join here 
  

• AgeTech: June 26 at 1:00pm – Dive into the AgeTech landscape—where innovation meets the needs of an aging population. Featuring expert insights, market trends, and startup spotlights, we’ll examine the forces shaping this fast-growing sector and the opportunities for founders, investors, and operators. Thanks to our research partners at Koru — Apply to join here 
  

• AI in Mobility & Logistics: June 26 at 4:00pm – Hosted by Vooban, this session will explore the cutting edge of Advanced Mobility and Logistics. This session explores the evolving landscape of how people, goods, and data move—on the ground and in the air — Apply to join here 
  

• Commerce: June 27 at 1:00pm – Join a forward-looking conversation on the future of commerce, where technology, consumer behaviour, and macroeconomic forces converge. As inflation, shifting interest rates, global supply chain dynamics, and evolving digital ecosystems reshape the landscape, businesses are rethinking how, where, and why people buy. Thanks to our research partners at Elevate — Apply to join here 
  

  
  
  This is your chance to meet the founders, operators, and investors behind the momentum. One stage at a time. One insight at a time.
  

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENTS 🎤 

Andrew D’Souza & Boardy join us at Together Toronto on May 5

We're excited to welcome Andrew, Founder of Boardy and co-founder of Clearco, to the stage for an exclusive fireside chat at Together Toronto on May 5. With a track record of building successful ventures, Andrew will share valuable insights into entrepreneurship and product innovation. He'll also dive into his latest venture, Boardy—an emerging platform designed to connect people across the globe in entirely new ways. And who knows—Boardy themself may even make a surprise appearance. — Reserve your spot to meet Andrew and Boardy Here

April Dunford joins us at Sales Toronto on May 20

Big news: April Dunford—aka the Queen of Product Positioning—is taking the TechTO Sales stage this May! Don’t miss your chance to hear from one of the sharpest minds in tech. Join us in Toronto on Tuesday, May 20. — Details and Tickets Here

Michael Millar joins us at Health Toronto on June 9

We’re excited to announce that Michael Millar, Founder and CEO of one of today’s most-talked about health tech companies, Verto Health, will be taking the stage during our upcoming Health event on Monday, June 9 at 6pm. Discover how he's transforming healthcare with technology that actually works for patients and providers.Join us on June 9 to learn from the best and find out what the future holds for healthcare — Details and Tickets Here

NEXT BIG GIGS 💼 

Find your next “big gig” in tech — in this section we’re featuring a short-list of interesting job opportunities from our brand new job board. See you jobs we’re highlighting today:

• EvenUp is currently hiring for 19 roles across Canada
  

• StackAdapt is hiring a Software Engineer, Data Hub in Toronto
  

• ZayZoon is hiring a Client Account Manager in Calgary

Have a job you want to share? Currently looking to find your next gig? Check out the full list of jobs we curated just for you on our job board

PARTNER CONTENT 📌

Canadian innovators are working on solutions that could democratize access to screening, refine personalized medicine and improve care.

The trade war threatening our jobs, our cost of living and our border has another target in its sights: our healthcare. The biotech and health tech sectors have been upended by economic instability, and the Trump administration is considering tariffs on pharmaceuticals that have the potential to disrupt the supply chain that exports billions of dollars of medical ingredients.

Despite the upheaval, Canada is cultivating a host of health-oriented breakthroughs that hold the promise of life-altering new treatments.

Don’t miss the Mobility Unlimited Hub Partnering Forum on May 8 from 8:30 — 10:00am

*this is sponsored content

MARK YOUR CALENDARS 📆 

Here are some of our upcoming events

• FAST APPROACHING: Together Toronto, Monday, May 5 at 6pm — Details and Tickets Here

• AI for Social Impact: The Essentials to Get Start, Tuesday, May 13 at 12pm — Free to Join

• TechTO Sales, Tuesday, May 20 at 6pm — Details and Tickets Here

• Travel Toronto, Wednesday, May 21 at 6pm — Details and Tickets Here

• Vancouver Demo Day + Web Summit Social, Tuesday, May 27 all day — Apply Here

• Health Toronto, Monday, June 9, at 6pm — Details and Tickets Here

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