Vice President & General Counsel

How Canadian companies are building for billion-dollar outcomes. Apr 29, 2026 by CVCA Home how Canadian companies are building for billion-dollar outcomes. Three executives with firsthand experience scaling Canadian venture-backed companies gathered at Invest Canada '25 to share what scaling a company looks like from the people who lived it. Scaling a Canadian venture-backed company to a multi-billion-dollar outcome is not a straightforward journey. Success in this environment is not just a product of grit or timing. It hinges on clear capital pathways, strong founder-investor alignment, disciplined growth pacing, and strategic adaptability in the face of market shifts. At Invest Canada '25, Export Development Canada hosted a VC-focused breakout featuring executives from Clutch Technologies, Solium Capital, and Bellus Health who have each played a central role in building or leading Canadian growth stories. The session avoided simplifications. Instead, the speakers offered an honest look at what it takes to move a company from early momentum to long-term relevance. Participants in the session were reminded that investor alignment does not mean full agreement on every decision. It means working with investors who understand when to step in and when to let operators lead. Several speakers emphasized the importance of investor behaviour during downturns, especially when companies fall short of initial forecasts. Founders and senior leaders often find themselves reforecasting with tighter timelines and new assumptions. When that happens, the role of the board becomes magnified. Panelists noted that seasoned board members know how to navigate tension without creating further disruption. One example from the discussion involved recognizing when a team member had moved into the wrong role for the company's current stage. Rather than pushing for an exit, the board worked with management to reposition the person into a function where they could still contribute. The point was not to protect anyone's feelings but to preserve institutional knowledge and keep the team stable while the company was reforecasting against new assumptions. The conversation also highlighted how leadership transitions are often the most consequential periods in a company's life cycle. Sometimes founders step aside. Other times new executives are brought in to scale the business. In both cases, the success of the transition depends on whether the culture can stretch without snapping. The speakers agreed that continuity of purpose matters more than continuity of personnel. When discussing the path to unicorn status, several speakers pushed back against the fixation on valuation as a performance proxy. They argued that internal execution and operational discipline are more reliable signals of a company's potential than any headline number. One speaker emphasized that growth-stage companies should resist the urge to chase follow-on capital without a tight grasp on capital efficiency and return on invested resources. Another noted thatF investor expectations can become unrealistic when valuation milestones are reached before product maturity. Access to capital remains a critical issue, but the quality of capital matters just as much. Panelists noted that alignment between founders and investors should begin well before a term sheet is signed. One speaker described spending roughly a third of their time engaging with investors outside of active fundraising rounds, treating those interactions as a two-way vetting process. The goal was to test whether a potential partner understood the sector, shared the vision for where the company was going, and could handle the honest conversations that come with a difficult quarter. Some founders accept term sheets that look good on paper but come with burdensome governance or a mismatch in risk appetite, often because that groundwork was never laid. The session emphasized that long-term scaling often requires working with capital that is ready to support cross-border expansion, new product development, or strategic talent acquisition without constant friction over short-term numbers. Hiring was another focus. Canada's tight labor market presents ongoing challenges for scaling firms, particularly those that need specialized talent to move into new markets or sustain product innovation. The panelists spoke about the trade-offs between local hiring and recruiting globally. One insight that stood out was the need for teams to operate with clarity around mission, especially when remote or distributed. Talent density was seen as less of a location problem and more of an alignment problem. When everyone is pulling toward the same outcome, geographic spread becomes less of a drag. Another recurring theme was timing around going public. One speaker shared that they regretted not going public earlier when conditions were more favorable. Others acknowledged the risk of entering public markets before a business has predictable performance metrics. The audience heard that the IPO is not the finish line. It changes the rhythm of accountability and requires a company to reset its internal communications, investor strategy, and growth benchmarks. The session closed with a discussion about the role of Canadian policy and its ability to either support or stall growth. A few speakers underscored the importance of export-oriented mindsets and programs that help Canadian companies establish a global presence. They acknowledged the reality that many scaling companies outgrow the domestic market faster than policymakers are prepared to accommodate. When that happens, firms often look south for capital, customers, or partnerships. The challenge is not simply about keeping companies in Canada, but ensuring they can grow here without being structurally disadvantaged. The insights shared in this session did not present a single playbook. Instead, they reinforced the need for investors to be more than capital providers. The most effective investors act as partners who understand that success comes from matching the right capital to the right company at the right time, then knowing when to stand back and let the team execute. Since 1979, Invest Canada has been where Canada's private capital community comes together to build relationships, close deals, and share real-world experience. It's the definitive forum for GPs and LPs to connect, collaborate, and uncover new opportunities. In 2026, the Invest Canada conference will be taking place in Halifax, May 26-28. Learn more here.

Clutch launches second Customer Hub in Ottawa's Bayshore Shopping Centre. 8 April 2026 Autosphere " Dealerships " Clutch launches second Customer Hub in Ottawa's Bayshore Shopping Centre. The new Clutch Customer Hub at Bayshore Shopping Centre in Ottawa, offering a physical space for customers to pick up or drop off their vehicles. Source: Clutch Canada's leading online car retailer expands its physical footprint, building on the success of its first Customer Hub to bring greater accessibility, transparency, and convenience to Ottawa customers. Clutch, Canada's fastest-growing online used car retailer, announces the opening of its first Customer Hub in Ottawa's Bayshore Shopping Centre (100 Bayshore Dr, Ottawa, ON). This opening marks a significant milestone in Clutch's mission to make buying and selling pre-owned cars easier, more convenient, and accessible to all Canadians. To celebrate the grand opening, Clutch will have refreshments and goodies available for anyone who stops by on Saturday, April 11th for the grand opening. Clutch's Customer Hub will be a pickup and drop-off point for Ottawa customers who opt to buy or sell a used vehicle through Clutch.ca. As Clutch continues to grow, these hubs will play a crucial role in complementing the digital-first model, offering both convenience and human connection. "We've seen how impactful a physical space can be in connecting with our customers," says Dan Park, CEO of Clutch. "Transparency and convenience are core to our business, and giving Canadians the flexibility to engage with us how they want, whether fully online or with in-person support, is important as we continue to grow across Canada." Services Offered Include: * Convenient Pick-Up and Drop-Off: This location will serve as a centralized hub for customers to pick up or drop off vehicles purchased or sold through Clutch.ca, streamlining the handoff experience. * On-Site Support from Clutch Experts: Friendly, knowledgeable Clutch experts will be available on-site to facilitate vehicle hand-offs and ensure a smooth, seamless experience. * Guided Digital Shopping: Customers can browse Clutch's full online inventory using dedicated in-store computers, with staff available to assist in navigating listings, comparing vehicles, and answering any product-related questions. * Supported Real Offers: Clutch experts are available to help customers list their car online and get a real offer based on its value within 2 minutes. * Customer Education and Guidance: Clutch experts will provide in-person guidance on the digital car-buying or selling process.

Clutch opens ottawa retail hub as online used-vehicle seller inches into brick-and-mortar. April 07, 2026 10:16 AM EDT Used-vehicle seller Clutch opened a second Ontario retail hub April 7, as the tech company continues to build a network of brick-and-mortar locations to complement its digital-first sales model. Staying current is easy with newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.