Building in the Defence Tech Economy
Building in the Defence Tech Economy
Canada's defence and security landscape is shifting — and for early-stage founders, the window to position early is now.
New funding streams are coming online. Procurement pathways are evolving. Government appetite for domestic innovation in areas like AI, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and dual-use technology is real and growing. But policy momentum and startup reality don't always move at the same speed.
We're hosting hosting a small, high-signal conversation for founders, operators, and investors who want to understand what's actually changing — and what it means for building companies at the intersection of deep tech and defence.
We'll get into the policy shifts driving the opportunity: how Canada's defence industrial strategy is being rewritten, what programs like the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy mean in practice, and where early-stage companies can genuinely compete. We'll also be direct about the friction — long procurement cycles, prime contractor dynamics, dual-use positioning challenges, and what it takes to move from pilot to contract.
This discussion will feature:
Glen Lougheed, CEO, Applied Post Inc.
Alexander Moens, Director of the NATO Field School and Professor of Political Science, Simon Fraser University
More TBA!
Who should come: Founders building in AI, cybersecurity, sensors, autonomy, advanced manufacturing, or adjacent deep tech. Investors and advisors with defence or government market exposure. Policy and ecosystem people who want a frank conversation.
Partners:
Venue partner: Segev LLP
Community partner: UBC Sauder’s ScaleUp Program