Canadian tech used to be known for getting acquired. At TechExit.io Vancouver, Globe and Mail reporter Sean Silcoff pointed out how quickly that narrative has shifted. Fourteen years ago, limited capital and lower valuations left many startups vulnerable to foreign buyers.

In March 2026, founders are thinking carefully about liquidity. Strategic buyers remain active, IPO windows are selective and deal structures require patience. Exit conversations are happening earlier and more often inside boardrooms. At TechExit.io Toronto, Allen Lau offered a perspective that feels increasingly relevant.

When founders think about valuation, they often picture a number tied to revenue or market comps but the number on the term sheet is only the surface. What actually influences valuation runs deeper and often starts long before a company enters a formal process.

Every founder wants optionality, whether it's more paths, more leverage or better outcomes. But here’s the reality: most companies don’t get options. They get boxed in by early decisions, rushed fundraising or market myopia.

When Kazi Ahmed sold Carbon6 for $305M CAD and Kevin Kliman sold Humi for more than $100M CAD, the headlines suggested clean, decisive wins. At TechExit.io Toronto, moderated by Jeffrey Bennett (National Bank), the two founders offered something far more valuable.

At TechExit.io Toronto, the “Brains & Bots” session brought together three people who sit at the centre of the capital stack; David Rozin (Scotiabank/Roynat Capital), Hugues Lalancette (Inovia Capital) and Thomas Terrats (Vessel), moderated by Michelle McBane (StandUp Ventures).What unfolded wasn’t a conversation focused on AI predictions.

The opening session at TechExit.io Toronto brought together two leaders who have seen founders at every stage of the journey, from raising capital and weighing offers to managing boards and navigating uncertainty.

The room at TechExit.io Toronto 2025 was full of founders and Canada's top tech-centric investment bankers, advisors and mentors who have lived the highs and lows of building in uncertain times.

For founders, the real impact of a PE deal is felt long after the ink dries, on employees, customers, and your own personal identity. The valuation may look tidy on paper, but what happens next often determines whether you view the deal as a win or a regret.