Why We Chose Canada:

The Hidden Gem of Global Tech Innovation

When we were deciding where to build Capyo, we could have gone anywhere. Silicon Valley, New York, London —all the traditional tech capitals were options. But we chose Canada.

While the world obsesses over the same handful of tech hubs, Canada has quietly become one of the most exciting places to build transformative technology. The country most overlook, might just be the smartest place to be.

The Ecosystem That Actually Works

Canada's tech scene isn't just growing—it's exploding with the kind of sustainable, thoughtful growth that creates lasting impact. More than 800 new tech and software startups launched just in the first half of 2024, bringing fresh energy to an innovation ecosystem that already punches far above its weight.

In 2025, Canada's tech startup scene is booming, with significant advances in AI, fintech, and cleantech driving substantial industry disruption. In 2023, Canada ranked among the top five startup ecosystems globally. Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are leading this charge. That same year, Canadian startups secured over $8 billion in investments, marking one of the country's strongest years.

But what struck us most wasn't the numbers—it was the quality. With 77% of companies in active growth, this vibrant ecosystem offers promising opportunities for tech professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs alike. These aren't companies chasing quick exits or riding hype cycles. They're building solutions to real problems with sustainable business models.

Government Support That Actually Supports

Working with governments can be a nightmare for startups. Not in Canada.

The federal government has committed more than $16 billion to support scientific discovery, develop Canadian research talent, and attract top researchers from around the planet; and over $2 billion to foster growth across Canada's AI ecosystem and digital infrastructure.

This isn't bureaucratic lip service. Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, launched the AI Compute Access Fund. This Fund will provide up to $300 million for affordable access to compute power for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop made-in-Canada AI products and solutions.

For a company like Capyo, working at the intersection of AI and education, this support is game-changing. We're not just getting funding—we're getting strategic partnership from a government that genuinely understands technology and wants to see Canadian companies succeed globally.

The AI Advantage

Here's something that might surprise you: Canada ranks first globally for year-over-year growth of women in AI (67 per cent growth in 2022-23 alone), first in the G7 for year-over-year growth of AI talent, and since 2019, has ranked first in the G7 for the number of AI-related papers published per capita.

Canada was also the first country to introduce legislation designed to guide AI innovation in a positive direction, and to encourage the responsible adoption of AI technologies by Canadians and Canadian businesses. Canada holds the distinction of being the first country to create a fully-funded national AI strategy – the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy (PCAIS).

This isn't a recent development. Since the 1980s, Canada has been a leader in AI, and in some respects is the birthplace of modern AI systems and theories, made possible by the scientific discoveries of Canadian AI researchers. When you're building AI-powered education tools, being in the country that literally pioneered the field gives you access to talent, research, and expertise that simply doesn't exist elsewhere.

The People and Talent

Canada's secret weapon isn't its policies or programs—it's its people.

Canada is a world leader in artificial intelligence (AI). Our vast AI ecosystem includes researchers, academics, entrepreneurs and more than 1,500 innovative companies, many of which are small or medium-sized enterprises (SME), serving a wide variety of economic sectors that include health, financial services and agriculture.

But it's not just the quantity of talent—it's the quality and diversity. Canada has one of the highest rates of immigration of any country in the world, creating a multicultural workforce that brings perspectives from everywhere. This diversity isn't just nice to have; it's essential when you're building products that need to work for students from different backgrounds, cultures, and learning styles.

The collaborative culture here is remarkable. In many tech hubs, there's cutthroat competition and secrecy. In Canada, we've found an ecosystem where companies help each other, share resources, and genuinely want to see the whole sector succeed.

Education Excellence Meets Innovation

For an education company, Canada's commitment to learning is inspiring.

The new International Education Strategy builds on the attributes that make Canada a powerhouse in international education: high quality schools and programs of study in both English and French; peaceful, welcoming and diverse communities; an enviable quality of life; opportunities to work.

Since 2016, the federal government has invested over $22 billion in science and research initiatives, including infrastructure, emerging talent and other science and technology support measures. In addition, Budget 2024 is providing $825 million over five years, and $199.8 million per year ongoing, to increase support for master's and doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows.

This isn't just about funding—it's about philosophy. Canada treats education as a public good and innovation as a national priority. When you're trying to solve problems in education, being in a country that genuinely values learning makes everything easier.

The Quality of Life Factor

Building a company is hard enough without sacrificing your humanity in the process. Canada offers something that many tech hubs have lost: balance.

Vancouver's position on the Pacific Rim makes it a vital gateway for trade, enhancing its appeal to tech companies aiming for global outreach. The city's proximity to major Asian and U.S. markets facilitates international collaborations and market expansion. Vancouver's commitment to a vibrant lifestyle and health culture has also fostered the growth of numerous lifestyle brands.

Whether you're in Toronto's dynamic downtown, Vancouver's stunning natural setting, or Montreal's rich cultural scene, you can build a world-class company while actually enjoying life. The healthcare system works, the infrastructure is solid, and the social safety net means taking entrepreneurial risks doesn't mean risking everything.

Access to Global Markets

One misconception about Canada is that it's isolated from major markets. The reality is exactly the opposite.

Canada's growing global appeal is evident in the surge of foreign venture capital and corporate investments, which made up over 45% of Canadian startup funding in 2023. Major tech giants have amplified their Canadian footprints: Microsoft expanded its AI Innovation Lab in Toronto, Amazon (AWS) invested in cloud computing and AI-driven infrastructure in Vancouver, and Google established a prominent AI research center in Montreal.

From Canada, we can easily serve the U.S. market (same time zones, minimal cultural barriers, established trade relationships), but we also have unique access to international markets through Canada's trade agreements and multicultural connections.

The Future is Being Built Here

The pace of change is set to accelerate in Canada's technology sector in 2025. Artificial intelligence (AI) was the dominant tech success story of 2024 as valuations skyrocketed and startups started to emphasize the use of AI in their products. The federal government announced a $2.4 billion investment in the AI Compute Access Fund in April 2024, aimed to expand the AI sector and support technology adoption.

This isn't a government betting on the future—it's a government actively building it. The number of AI patents filed by Canadian inventors increased by 57 per cent in 2022-23 compared to the previous year – nearly three times the G7 average of just 23 per cent over the same period.

Why This Matters for Education

For Capyo specifically, Canada's combination of AI leadership, educational excellence, and inclusive values creates the perfect environment to build tools that truly serve students.

The country's commitment to diversity means we're building products that work for everyone, not just a narrow demographic. The AI expertise means we can push the boundaries of what's possible with educational technology. The government support means we can focus on building rather than fundraising. And the quality of life means our team can do their best work.

The Decision That Changed Everything

Six months ago, choosing Canada felt like a bet. Today, it feels like the most obvious decision we ever made.

While other companies fight over the same talent in oversaturated markets, we're part of a growing ecosystem that has room to breathe and grow. While others deal with adversarial relationships with regulators, we're working with a government that sees technology companies as partners in building the future.

Entrepreneurs who choose Canada can tap into a rich talent pool, ample funding sources, and supportive networks—making the country an increasingly attractive place to launch and scale transformative businesses.

The Hidden Gem Revealed

Canada isn't a consolation prize or a backup plan—it's the best-kept secret in global tech. The combination of world-class talent, forward-thinking government support, incredible quality of life, and genuine commitment to building technology that makes the world better is unmatched anywhere else.

We didn't choose Canada because we couldn't go anywhere else. We chose Canada because there's nowhere else we'd rather be.

The future of technology isn't just being built in the usual suspects of Silicon Valley or New York. It's being built in Toronto and Vancouver and Montreal, by diverse teams solving global problems with Canadian values of inclusivity, collaboration, and genuine care for making things better.

For any entrepreneur or company looking at where to build their next chapter, don't overlook the opportunity right in Canada's backyard. The ecosystem is here, the support is real, and the potential is unlimited.

Canada isn't just our home base—it's our competitive advantage. And increasingly, that advantage is impossible to ignore.