Canada’s Innovation Ecosystem – A Foundation for Future Growth

Dan HermanExecutive DirectorDEEP Centre Inc.

The DEEP Centre: Focused on Canada’s Future

The DEEP Centre’s research informs action on the two following axis:

1) Understanding the changing nature of entrepreneurship and innovation-enabled growth in the global economy

2) Assessing how governments and firms can adapt and foster innovation, economic growth and employment

Source: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2015

Canada: The 2nd Most Entrepreneurial Economy

Canada: Entrepreneurs Across Industries

Canada: Entrepreneurs by Choice

Canada’s Support System for High-Tech Entrepreneurs

Canada’s Support System for High-Tech Entrepreneurs

Canada’s Output of High-Growth Firms

Source: Canadian Venture Capital Association 2016

Source: Canadian Venture Capital Association 2016

Canada’s Output of High-Growth Firms

Since January 2014:

• One major technology IPO (Shopify May 2015)• 9 companies have raised $100million or more• 61 companies have raised a Series B/C or more • 150 companies have raised a Series A or more• The top 70 tech scaleups employ over 10,000

The Waterloo-Toronto Corridor

Waterloo-Toronto hosts 50% of Canada’s top tech companies (Series A funding or more)

Waterloo’s startup density second in the world behind Silicon Valley

Toronto ranked12th in the world for venture capital investment

Where Canada Lags Behind

• Talent across sectors and disciplines enabled by strong links with world-class post-secondary institutions;

• Enabling infrastructure and financing environment; • Government leadership in policy, measurement and regulation;• Business culture that embraces risk and experimentation; • Anchor industry firms who absorb and circulate talent, dollars and

ideas into their local ecosystems; • Universities that remain on the cutting edge of research, teaching and

experiential learning.

Growth Ecosystems: What’s Necessary

For more:

Dan HermanExecutive Director, DEEP CentreWaterloodherman@deepcentre.com@danherman