How Canada is Becoming a Hub for International Entrepreneurs
“Higher AI literacy leads to higher AI adoption, a critical ingredient to solving Canada’s productivity crisis and creating a more competitive and dynamic economy.”
- Benjie M. Thomas, CEO and Senior Partner, KPMG in Canada
Canada is rapidly evolving into a global destination for international entrepreneurs. The intersection of its thriving AI ecosystem, robust government investment, global mindset, and proactive startup initiatives positions Canada as a magnet for global innovation. If you are launching or scaling a startup, your path now starts in Canada.
The AI Market Boom and Talent Leadership
A December 2024 Government of Canada report forecasts Canada’s AI market will reach $28.2 billion by 2028, growing at approximately 34% annually. Remarkably, 10% of the world’s top-tier AI researchers are based in Canada, placing the country second globally. That ecosystem supports over 1,500 AI firms nationwide, making Canada an innovation powerhouse.
In key sectors:
- Healthcare: Companies like Imagia and BlueDot apply AI to early disease detection.
- Finance: Banks such as RBC and TD heavily invest in AI-driven fraud detection.
- Online gaming: Canada’s legal regulation (Ontario among them) is supporting AI-powered experiences, including in online casinos.
Federal, provincial, and private investment further strengthens Canada’s tech infrastructure. Budget 2024 included a $2 billion Sovereign Compute Strategy, $200 million for regional development, and measures to support a Canadian AI Safety Institute (ised-isde.canada.ca, reddit.com).
Closing the Adoption Gap
Canada’s startup culture reflects strength in innovation and global reach—but adoption tells a different story. According to a November 2024 Forbes report, only 14% of Canadian businesses currently use or plan to implement generative AI (forbes.com). That contrasts sharply with adoption rates of 72% in the US . The challenge is not capability, it’s confidence and education.
Workplace behaviors underscore the issue:
- 61% of Canadian workers use AI tools at work, and 44% report gains in efficiency (researchmoney.ca, forbes.com).
- At the same time, 56% admit to errors from over-reliance on AI, and 48%, report unclear policies—leading to misuse.
This trust and literacy gap also exists nationally. During Budget 2024, the government launched consultations to ensure Canadian innovators have both talent and compute infrastructure (ised-isde.canada.ca). Alberta has supplemented with an AI data‑centre strategy to support sustainable, scalable infrastructure (researchmoney.ca).
Global Startup Canada: Collaborative Edge
Enter the power of international collaboration. For Global Startup Canada, building capacity to leverage both talent and technology means reaching beyond borders
Collaboration with global partners provides:
- Access to diverse skill sets.
- Entry into international markets.
- Shared AI resources.
- Exposure to regulation and business practices worldwide.
The Canada Startup Association is actively facilitating this shift. Many startups participating in past delegations have already created global partnerships.
Our next major delegation will be in Dubai at GITEX / Expand North Star, the world’s largest tech event, from October 12–15, 2025. If you are developing AI-based solutions, this is a chance to scale globally.
As Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister for AI and Digital Innovation, remarked at Toronto Tech Week in June 2025:
“At Toronto Tech Week, we announced 3 major AI investments right here in Canada. From cutting‑edge research to life‑saving solutions, Canadian talent is world‑class. In uncertain times, we invest in people, because we’re not here to just get by. We’re here to build.”
A Blueprint for Global Startup Canada
- Invest in Talent Literacy
Raise the bar through targeted AI training for your team—transform uncertainty into confidence. - Pilot Responsible AI
Deploy AI tools with clear governance to reduce misuse and foster adoption. - Expand Through Global Collaboration
Use delegations such as GITEX to test ideas, validate your solution, and build international partnerships. - Leverage Government Infrastructure
Benefit from Canada’s compute strategy and infrastructure funding to scale responsibly. - Communicate with Confidence
Use Canada’s AI ecosystems and regulatory strengths to build trust with users, partners, and investors.
Why This Matters for Global Startup Canada
Global Startup Canada means startups with a global vision built in Canada. It means leveraging Canada’s AI leadership, trusted infrastructure, and international mindset. It also means equipping teams to adopt AI confidently—and responsibly—to deliver real-world impact.
If you’re building AI solutions and ready to scale, let’s talk. Join us in Dubai, October 12–15 to explore global opportunities and build the partnerships that take ideas from Canada to the world.
