Building a startup is hard.
Figuring out fundraising and venture capital shouldn’t get in your way.
Here you will find all of my posts, starting with the most recent.
You can also jump directly to the following categories:
Let’s Celebrate Risk-Taking!
One of the biggest cultural differences between the US and other countries is the degree to which Americans value and celebrate risk-taking.
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Ecosystems around the world have been evolving, adapting and reconfiguring themselves post-Covid.
2 Minutes for Instigating
My name is Chris. And I’m an instigator. Here's the story of Vancouver Founders Day.
The Mythical U.S. Lead Investor
The stereotype that local investors don’t lead rounds but "foreign investors" do exists all over the world. But is it true?
Canada's Problem Isn't Ambition
Canadian founders are amongst the most ambitious in the world. Seriously.
Can This Be Canada's "San Francisco" Moment?
Could Canada’s productivity crisis serve as the breaking point for a tech industry that historically stayed out of politics?
Is It the Government's Job to Fund VCs?
There are strong economic arguments for governments to help foster the creation of new venture funds to support their startup ecosystems. But how should they approach this?
Stop Trying to Replicate Silicon Valley
Along with death and taxes, one of the certainties of life is that every politician, journalist and armchair entrepreneur thinks that their city can be the next Silicon Valley.
A Hard Tech Renaissance is Happening and Canada Risks Missing Out
Canada has a long, proud history in hard tech but risks missing out on the current renaissance for one key reason.
This Critical Lesson in MySpace's Failure is Still Relevant Today
I had a front-row seat for the rise and fall of MySpace. This critical mistake that MySpace made is still relevant to founders today.
Canadian Founders Need to Go to SF. Now.
Right now is a unique moment in time for both San Francisco and tech in general. And it’s one that likely won’t last long.
Immigration: America's Achilles Heel
Something happened over the last 20 years. America — the nation whose foundation was built on immigration — has itself became anti-immigration. The rest of the world has seen America's achilles heel and is in attack mode.
To Create More Canadian VCs, We Need More Canadian LPs
If we want to pour rocket fuel on Canadian tech, we need to make it easier for the next generation of Canadian investors to start their own funds.
Why Aren't There More VCs in My City?
I’m very vocal about the fact that Canada is severely lacking in early-stage venture capital. Yet despite that, I don’t believe that we will see a sudden explosion of home grown venture capital firms. Nor should we want one.
Canada Needs to Stop Competing With Itself
Canadians endlessly chase our tails worried about how we’re doing relative to each other. It drags us all down. I'm over it. And you should be too.
The Genius of Creative Destruction Lab
If you’re a founder in Canada — or are involved in the Canadian tech scene in any way — then you’re familiar with the letters CDL. The Creative Destruction Lab helped create more than $19 Billion in equity value. And it's completely changed the Canadian tech landscape.