January 29, 2026. The Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA), in partnership with the Government of Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, today released the 2026 edition of The 50, the annual guide to Canada’s venture capital market.
The 50 offers international investors, strategic partners, and market participants a clear view of how Canada’s venture ecosystem operates today. It connects the managers shaping the market with the outcomes they produce, highlighting capital efficiency, scale, and the structural foundations that support globally competitive companies.
Over the past decade, Canadian venture-backed companies have generated meaningful exit value through strategic acquisitions and cross-border transactions, reflecting disciplined investment practices and governance standards that stand up in global markets.
Canada offers a venture market defined by stability, openness, and international reach. Canadian venture-backed companies are built within a predictable legal and regulatory framework, operate across international markets, and maintain strong alignment with key trading partners. For investors navigating an ever-evolving global economy, this combination of reliability and connectivity has become an important differentiator.
Rather than ranking firms, The 50 profiles venture managers actively shaping the ecosystem across key sectors including software, applied artificial intelligence, life sciences, and advanced technologies. Established platforms, corporate venture investors, and emerging managers are presented together to reflect the depth, specialization, and renewal that characterize Canada’s market today.
“Canada’s venture market is defined by managers who combine discipline with the ability to support companies as they scale across markets,” said Brenda Hogan, Chief Investment Officer, Venture Ontario and Chair, The 50 Committee. “The firms included here reflect that reality. They are backing businesses that operate globally, manage capital carefully, and deliver outcomes investors can underwrite with confidence.”
Produced in collaboration with the Trade Commissioner Service, The 50 reinforces Canada’s position as an export-oriented innovation market and serves as a practical reference for engagement with investors and partners through the Trade Commissioner Service’s global network spanning more than 160 cities worldwide. Canadian venture-backed companies are increasingly built to serve international customers, attract cross-border capital, and integrate into global value chains from early stages of growth.
“Canadian venture-backed companies are increasingly designed to compete and scale globally, with international customers, partners, and investors engaged earlier than ever,” said Sara Wilshaw, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, International Trade and Chief Trade Commissioner of Canada. “The 50 provides a valuable window into that ecosystem, helping global investors and partners understand where Canadian innovation is translating into commercial scale and international opportunity.”
Used by investors, policymakers, and ecosystem partners in Canada and abroad, The 50 provides a grounded view of Canada’s venture capital market and the firms operating within it, helping readers understand where capital is being deployed and how innovation is translating into investable outcomes.
The 2026 edition of The 50 is available here.
International investors and partners are also invited to engage with Canada’s private capital community at Invest Canada ’26, taking place May 26–28, 2026, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. CVCA’s annual conference convenes senior private capital leaders, policymakers, and international counterparts for direct, substantive discussion on investment, growth, and cross-border collaboration in a changing global environment. Set against Canada’s Atlantic gateway, Invest Canada ’26 will focus on execution, alignment, and long-term capital deployment across innovation, infrastructure, and strategic industries. Interested participants are encouraged to contact CVCA for further information.
About the Trade Commissioner Service
The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), part of the Government of Canada, helps Canadian companies expand and compete internationally by connecting them with markets, partners, and investment opportunities around the world. With a network in more than 160 cities, TCS provides market intelligence, qualified contacts, and tailored support to facilitate international trade, foreign investment, and commercial engagement. Learn more: https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/en.html