Where Canada’s Builders Come Home

🎄 YC Toronto Holiday Party: A Night of Belonging and Momentum

Under the soft winter lights of Stelvio, something unmistakably special happened. The YC Toronto Holiday Party wasn't just another tech gathering; it felt like a reunion of builders who've lived the same storms and dared to imagine the same future.

From the moment the first founder walked in, the energy was undeniable: curiosity, ambition, and that grounded confidence that comes from surviving the startup gauntlet together.

This wasn't a night of keynote speeches or structured programming. It was about something more powerful: belonging.

Skip the Small Talk

Within minutes, organic conversations erupted everywhere. Founders who'd never met suddenly realized they shared batch stories, the same hiring nightmares, or simply that relentless optimism that keeps them going.

No pitches. No pressure. Just founders talking to founders, the fastest way to build real trust and connection.

First-time founders talked to multi-exit entrepreneurs as equals. People shared candid truths: what broke, what worked, what they'd never do again. These conversations created something no stage could replicate.

Moments Worth Remembering

Stickerbox by Hapiko - AI-generated name tags (courtesy of Arun, S09) became instant conversation starters and keepsakes.

Soundboks - The speaker (sent by Jesper's W16 team) carried the vibe, a reminder of what YC founders build.

THXYX: The First 20 Years - Eliam (S15) shared this stunning coffee table book capturing two decades of YC history. Founders flipped through slowly, recognizing companies and moments that shaped the ecosystem. It felt like a family archive.

Gratitude to our sponsors

A gathering like this only comes to life with the support of partners who believe deeply in founders and in the long-term value of community.

Thank you to:

Employment Hero (W17)
Convictional (W19)
Gev Design
RBCx

Their support helps create spaces where founders can show up as themselves, to connect, recharge, and be inspired.

And…

Shoutout to Jason (TechTO's resident community architect and professional party thrower) for keeping the YC Toronto crew connected. Someone's gotta do it, and he makes it look easy.

🌸 What's Next: YC Spring Party

The YC community in Toronto is thriving, and we're bringing everyone together again this spring for the YC Alumni Party.

Until then, keep building and keep showing up for each other.

HOT TOPICS

Some of Our Favourite Canadian Rocketships 2025 Moments on Social Media

The excitement around this year’s Rocketships Reveal lit up the timeline. Our community took social media to celebrate the founders, teams, and milestones that made 2025 such a standout year for Canadian tech.

From heartfelt reflections to behind-the-scenes snapshots, these posts captured the spirit of what Rocketships is all about: momentum, grit, and the people who make big things happen.

Here are a few of our favourite Canadian Rocketships 2025 announcements 👇

▶️ Watch the full Rocketships 2025 video here:

🗓️ 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

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

🔥 PARTNER PERKS

Our Directory helps you find our community’s favourite service providers and businesses that we stand behind. Check out a few perks from our partners:

• Access Osler’s Startup Legal Package + Dedicated Support for High-Growth Founders

  Osler’s Emerging & High Growth Companies team supports founders from incorporation to exit; the largest, most experienced startup legal group in Canada. Get access to Osler’s Startup Package and hands-on guidance used by thousands of venture-backed companies.

  CLAIM IT HERE

• 10% Off Your First Year of R&D Tax Credits with Boast (+ Free SR&ED Assessment!)

  Boast helps innovative companies recover more R&D dollars with less risk using AI-powered claim analysis and expert guidance. TechTO members get 10% off their first-year SR&ED claim plus a free SR&ED Tech Scoping Assessment to understand exactly what qualifies.

  CLAIM IT HERE

🚀 STOP SCALING ALONE

You're leading a tech company with $2M+ in revenue or funding. The decisions you make today will define your trajectory, but who's helping you make them?

Peerscale is where CEOs, CTOs, and COOs get the strategic advantage they've been missing.

This isn't networking. It's a confidential, peer-led community built to accelerate your growth when it matters most.

What you get:

• Peer Advisory Groups – Monthly deep-dives into your toughest challenges with leaders who've been there.

• Power Sessions – Learn from founders who've scaled past your exact inflection point.

• Executive Dinners – Real relationships where deals and ideas actually happen.

• Annual Retreats – Step back, strategize, and return with clarity.

Membership is selective. We're building a community of action-takers.