Building in the Defence Tech Economy
Building in the Defence Tech Economy
Canada's defence and security landscape is shifting — and the policy conversation is starting to catch up with the moment.
New funding streams are coming online. Procurement pathways are evolving. And a broader question is emerging that doesn't get asked enough: how does government policy actually shape research and innovation in the real world — not just on paper?
This isn't a session about how to sell to government. We've had that conversation. This one goes deeper — into how Canada's defence industrial strategy is being rewritten, what that means for the kinds of companies and research that get resourced, and where genuine innovation happens at the intersection of policy intent and startup reality.
We're hosting a small, high-signal conversation for founders, operators, investors, and policy thinkers who want to understand what's actually changing — and what it means for building in defence-adjacent deep tech over the next decade.
We'll get into the policy frameworks driving the opportunity, how Canada's posture on AI, cybersecurity, autonomy, and advanced manufacturing is evolving, and where early-stage companies can genuinely compete. We'll also be direct about the friction — the gap between policy ambition and procurement reality, and what it actually takes to move from idea to impact in a complex sector.
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
Edoardo de Martin, Co-Founder & CEO, Industrio AI
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 about where Canada is headed.
Partners:
Venue partner: Segev LLP
Community partner: UBC Sauder’s ScaleUp Program