VentureLab recently hosted its yearly HardTech event focused on “deep” technology, with a particular emphasis on hardware, semiconductors, Medtech, AI, and mobility. The event was a gathering of investors and innovators from around the globe.
HardTech took a step forward by being in a great, new venue. The event was well organized and executed.
Lots of investors were present from all over the world, really good to see VentureLab actively trying to bridge the gap between startups and capital.
Denis Gaudreault, Intel’s Country Manager for Canada, had a very interesting presentation exploring Canada’s role in the semiconductor world, focusing on leveraging Canada’s wealth of talent and educational institutions to work together with the government to accelerate the industry.
A group of VCs from Bosch Ventures, Monozukuri Ventures, Kanata Ventures, and Roynat Capital discussed the current landscape of capital investment in Canada, echoing many of the thoughts that Denis had: There is a lot of talent in Canada that needs structure to create successful ventures. Canada is well positioned but needs a little more “fuel for the fire”.
The human capital demand for companies has grown exponentially, with more talented people needed for hardware companies every day, and a panel discussion called “How Do We Meet the Supercharged Demand for Hardware Talent in Canada?” really dug deep into how to get young people interested and excited about hardware and talked about training from the ground up to really meet the upcoming demand for deep tech talent.
The TD Shepherd team is happy to congratulate the Qualinx B.V. team on successfully raising €20 million from Dutch investors. TD Shepherd has provided strategic support to Qualinx over the years (starting in 2018), witnessing each step of their journey; their growth and success, makes us truly proud of their outstanding achievements.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about surviving the Valley of Death in deep tech, it’s this: don’t go it alone. This stage is all about leveraging relationships, and corporate partnerships can be your most valuable lifeline. The key is to think beyond customers.
The so-called “Valley of Death” in deep tech isn’t just about running out of cash—it’s about navigating a period where expectations clash with reality. Investors want to see traction, but your tech isn’t market-ready. Customers are intrigued, but they’re not ready to commit. And your R&D costs? They’re still burning through cash like it’s a bonfire.