Amid rising trade tensions and domestic unease, Canada’s tech community is embracing a new rallying cry: “Canada First.” This burgeoning movement, blending patriotic solidarity with founder ambition, highlights a growing desire to reduce reliance on American markets while boosting local capability and innovation.
A Surge in National Pride and Economic Resilience
The term “Startup Nationalism” may sound like a buzzword, but it reflects a powerful shift in mindset among Canadian entrepreneurs. At the 2025 Web Summit in Vancouver, many startup leaders rallied behind “Canada First”—a response to American tariffs, threats, and diminishing bilateral trust. As Clio CEO Jack Newton said:
“There has been an awakening in Canada regarding what it’s going to take for Canadian companies to be successful without necessarily depending on the U.S. as a market.” Wall Street Journal
This sentiment is not just symbolic. British Columbia’s government pledged C$30 million in funding to help tech firms scale domestically, reduce bureaucratic barriers, and build a self-reliant ecosystem Wall Street Journal.
From Rhetoric to Action: Changing Strategies
Tariffs have become a catalyst for change. Global Startups Accelerator CEO Miryam Lazarte described Trump’s trade threats as a “wake-up call,” prompting investors to consider supporting homegrown innovation rather than leaning on imports globalventuring.com. This adjustment is gaining traction across the venture sphere: Ontario fintech firm HiBoop, for instance, has firmly declared its intent to avoid U.S. capital entirely BNN Bloomberg.
Platforms Driving National Momentum
Grassroots and policy-focused platforms are accelerating Canada’s national tech narrative. Build Canada is a prime example—founded by leaders from Shopify, Wealthsimple, Cohere, and more, the platform aims to influence government through action-oriented policy proposals such as reforming immigration and expanding the Startup Visa Program researchmoneyinc.comBNN Bloomberg.
Startup Success Anchoring the Movement
Despite challenges, Canadian tech is not without wins. The DMZ accelerator in Toronto has passionately supported startups pursuing international markets, with over C$563 million raised by participating companies and outreach expanded through global residencies like DMZYYZ MaRS Discovery District. The DMZ’s model exemplifies how Canada can build global relevance while preserving local roots.
Startup Nationalism in Action: Kangrooo.com
A perfect example of this ethos is Kangrooo.com, an emerging Canadian platform that connects users with coworking and event spaces. Like many domestic ventures, Kangrooo has benefited from strengthened investor interest and consumer support amid trade uncertainty. With more capital and talent flowing back into Canadian startups, Kangrooo is well-positioned to embody the “Canada First” tech movement and potentially scale into a platform as influential as Airbnb—if backed by sufficient policy focus and investment.
The Road Ahead
| Opportunity | Challenge |
|---|---|
| Expanding domestic VC funding | Historically conservative investor behavior |
| Strengthened policies and platforms | Need for tangible regulatory reform |
| Talent retention across sectors | Brain drain and limited late-stage capital |
| Reinforced national identity in tech | Public support may require more than slogans |
Final Take
Canada’s startup culture is entering a bold new chapter. Faced with rising geopolitical uncertainty, entrepreneurs are choosing to believe in Canada’s potential—not just as a part of global trade, but as a powerful stage for tech leadership and innovation.
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