🚀 Tech Leaders Unite for Canadian Innovation

A dynamic group of tech executives and entrepreneurs have gathered $15 million to kickstart Simple Ventures Inc., a visionary venture studio on a mission to launch 25 high-growth companies rooted in Canada by 2030.

💡 Aiming for Homegrown Success

Founded in 2024, Simple Ventures is set to cultivate ten innovative companies, with three already making waves. The studio aims to produce at least three Canadian startups annually and is stealthily working on two more projects while gearing up to expand its fund to a whopping $20 million by year’s end.

🤝 Big Players on Board

Major contributors to this exciting funding push include TD Innovation Partners, Sun Life Financial, and Sobeys Inc. High-profile investors like Wealthsimple’s CEO Mike Katchen, Shopify’s President Harley Finkelstein, and Knix Wear’s Joanna Griffiths have also thrown their weight behind this initiative.

🇨🇦 A Call to Action for Canadian Talent

Rachel Zimmer, co-founder and CEO of Simple Ventures, emphasized the urgent need to ‘bring Canadian talent home.’ She stated, "To retain great Canadian talent, we need to have great Canadian opportunities," highlighting the systemic issues facing the entrepreneurial landscape in Canada.

🔍 Addressing the Entrepreneurial Gap

Despite a surge in Canada’s population, a troubling report indicates that the country has 100,000 fewer entrepreneurs than two decades ago. Zimmer, alongside Katchen, launched Simple Ventures as a proactive solution to reverse this trend instead of merely discussing it.

🌍 Bringing Global Innovations to Canada

Simple Ventures intends to set itself apart from traditional venture capital by adapting successful business models from around the globe for the Canadian market. "We identify new ideas and validate them," Zimmer explained, ensuring that these concepts thrive locally.

🍼 Innovating for New Parents

One standout project includes Alma Care Retreat Inc., a postpartum care platform inspired by successful care centres from Korea, China, and Europe. Zimmer stated, "We look around the world and bring the best innovations to Canada, ensuring Canadians don’t miss out."

💪 Building a Robust Network

Zimmer believes that focusing on networks and capital will give these startups a competitive edge. She noted, "Historically, that’s been hard to do in Canada. These two key ingredients will give companies the best chance of success, with many founders returning home to leverage their international experiences."

🌟 The Future Looks Bright!

With a commitment to growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Canada, Simple Ventures is not just ready to talk about the challenges—it's here to disrupt the status quo and fuel the next wave of Canadian innovation.