EPISODE · Jun 16, 2026 · 26 MIN
Canada’s Tech Growth Challenge
from Disruptors · host Royal Bank of Canada
Canada has helped shape major technology waves, from AI to quantum. But when companies move from promising startup to global contender, the harder questions begin: where does the growth capital come from, who becomes the customer, and how can long-term value stay connected to Canada? In this episode of Disruptors, John Stackhouse is joined by Boris Wertz, founder and general partner of Version One Ventures, and Sid Paquette, head of RBCx, for a conversation about Canada's growth capital gap and what it takes to build globally competitive technology companies in Canada. They discuss why Canadian companies need global investors and global markets, why domestic capital still matters, how procurement and corporate customers can help companies scale, and why AI is creating faster cycles and more concentrated outcomes. The conversation also looks ahead to physical AI, biotechnology, quantum and the steps necessary for Canada to be a world leader in the tech space for the next 30 years. Links:RBC The Growth Project Keywords: Canadian tech, growth capital, venture capital, domestic capital, RBCx, Version One Ventures, Boris Wertz, Sid Paquette, John Stackhouse, Disruptors podcast, AI, quantum, physical AI, biotechnology, procurement. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
Canada has helped shape major technology waves, from AI to quantum. But when companies move from promising startup to global contender, the harder questions begin: where does the growth capital come from, who becomes the customer, and how can long-term value stay connected to Canada? In this episode of Disruptors, John Stackhouse is joined by Boris Wertz, founder and general partner of Version One Ventures, and Sid Paquette, head of RBCx, for a conversation about Canada's growth capital gap and what it takes to build globally competitive technology companies in Canada. They discuss why Canadian companies need global investors and global markets, why domestic capital still matters, how procurement and corporate customers can help companies scale, and why AI is creating faster cycles and more concentrated outcomes. The conversation also looks ahead to physical AI, biotechnology, quantum and the steps necessary for Canada to be a world leader in the tech space for the next 30 years.
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Canada’s Tech Growth Challenge
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