Arctic Edge: Canadian Defence Tech & Investment

​Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation and The Icebreaker Presents:

​Arctic Edge: Canadian Defence Tech & Investment

​Canada is entering a defining era for Arctic sovereignty and geopolitical strategy. As the nation strengthens its presence in the North, a new wave of homegrown defence tech startups is rising to meet critical capability needs—supported by government-driven innovation and growing interest from capital markets. Arctic Edge brings together leaders from across the innovation ecosystem, public sector, and investment community to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping Canada’s defence future.

​Agenda*

• ​08:00 - 08:40 - Registration and light breakfast

• ​08:40 - 08:50 - Welcome Remarks by Thomas Yeo (Partner, Torys)

• ​08:50 - 09:00 - Opening Remarks by Daniel Sax (Founder & CEO, CSMC)

• ​09:00 - 09:50 - “The Builders - Space Tech”

  • ​Panelists:

    • ​Hugh Kolias (Co-Founder & CEO, Canada Rocket Company)

    • ​James Slifertz (Co-Founder & CEO, SkyWatch)

    • ​Christine Tovee (CTO, Wyvern; Founder & Principal, CATx Technology)

  • ​Moderator: Daniel Sax (Founder & CEO, CSMC)

• ​09:50 - 10:10 - Networking break

• ​10:10 - 11:00 - “The Builders - Defence Tech”

  • ​Panelists:

    • ​Paul Ziadé (Co-Founder & CEO, North Vector Dynamics)

    • ​Eliot Pence (Founder & CEO, Dominion Dynamics)

    • ​Karl Holmqvist (Founder & CEO, Lastwall)

  • ​Moderator TBC

• ​11:00 - 11:15 - Networking break

• ​11:15 - 12:05 - “The Backers"

  • ​Panelists:

    • ​Mark Maybank (Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Maverix PE)

    • ​Matt Cohen (Founder & Managing Partner, Ripple Ventures)

    • ​Devon Galloway (General Partner, Garage Capital)

  • ​Moderator: Matthew Lombardi (Co-Founder, The Icebreaker)

• ​12:05 - 12:15 - Closing Remarks

• ​12:15 - 13:00 - Lunch Served

​Join us on May 26, 2026 at this official Toronto Tech Week 2026 event for a morning of insight, connection, and forward-looking discussion at the intersection of defence, technology, and investment.

​Cohosted by Torys and RBCx.

​*Agenda, panelists, and speakers subject to change

​Toronto Tech Week is a citywide celebration of the people building what’s next. From May 25–29, 2026, founders, investors, and builders come together for hundreds of community-led events across Toronto, connecting tens of thousands of people around Canadian tech. Torontotechweek.com