Spotlight Drop: Canada’s Innovation Homework Just Dropped

On May 21, the Prime Minister handed the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry a fresh 2025 mandate letter. It’s packed with promises, priorities, and just enough policy-speak to make your eyes glaze over.

But underneath the government-ese? There are signals every Canadian builder should be watching.

Let’s get into it.

What’s Actually in It for Founders?

🪙 1. Show Us the Capital (Again)

The feds are doubling down on VCCI and nudging BDC and EDC to unlock more dollars for underrepresented founders.
→ Translation: The money is there. We're watching to see who gets it—and how.

🏛️ 2. Government Wants to Buy Local (Allegedly)

They say they want to make procurement easier for Canadian SMEs.
→ If this finally happens, startups could win big. If not, we’ve heard this song before.

📜 3. IP Strategy, Still Loading...

A “modernized IP regime” is on the list. But no playbook yet.
→ Builders, hold tight: better support for patents, licensing, and IP education could be coming. Maybe.

🤖 4. AI + Privacy Rules Are Coming

Bill C-27 is still in motion. That means tighter controls on data, privacy, and AI use.
→ Heads up: Start brushing up your AI guardrails and data policies now. Seriously.

🌱 5. Cleantech = Golden Child

Clean innovation, low-carbon tech, and sustainability solutions are getting all the federal love.
→ If you’re building here, expect more programs, funds, and spotlights.

Our Take?

Honestly? It’s giving… good intentions, TBD execution.
But hey—governments make policies, and builders make it real.

That’s where we come in.

What We’re Doing at Founded in Canada

FiC exists to make sense of all this.

We help you:
 ✅ Track live programs and funding calls
 ✅ Find the right ecosystem orgs without rage-scrolling for hours
 ✅ Actually use stuff buried in mandate letters and policy PDFs

Because founders don’t have time for filler. We’re here to cut through it and bring you what actually matters.

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— Built by builders. For builders.
Always real. Never boring.