News Summary

The Canadian tech sector is experiencing both challenges and opportunities in 2025. Notable news includes the decline in pre-seed and seed-stage investment activity, as the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA) reports a 16% decrease in total dollars invested and a 28% drop in deals compared to 2024. This has led to calls for the federal government to extend the ElevateIP program, which supports startups in developing intellectual property strategies. Meanwhile, Canadian cities like Toronto, Waterloo, Edmonton, and Calgary have strengthened their positions in the tech talent market, driven by Canada’s AI talent pool, according to CBRE’s 2025 Scoring Tech Talent report. However, salary growth in the sector has slowed, with a median increase of just 3.5% in 2025. Former Rogers CEO and venture capitalist Nadir Mohamed, a significant figure in Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, has passed away. His contributions to the tech sector, including roles at Toronto’s Digital Media Zone and Vector Institute, highlight his impact on Canada’s innovation landscape. Additionally, leadership changes have occurred in Canadian tech firms, with Soraya Alexander appointed CEO of Benevity and Toan Dinh taking the helm at Fable. Purpose Investments founder Som Seif is contesting greenwashing allegations by the Ontario Securities Commission, and Isaac Souweine has departed from Pender Ventures to explore new opportunities.