Event category: Plenary

Canadian tech companies aren’t just waiting for foreign buyers—they’re becoming the buyers, scaling through acquisitions both within Canada and internationally. A new wave of homegrown strategics is using M&A to expand products, enter new markets, and keep long-term growth anchored here. This session brings together leaders who’ve been on the buying side to explore what’s fueling this momentum, how integrations really unfold, and what founders should know if they want to attract a Canadian strategic. It’s a candid look at how Canada is building stronger tech companies by growing through acquisition—not by giving them away.

Go inside a real founder-led SaaS acquisition and see how deal structure, valuation strategy, and integration planning shape outcomes when a high-growth startup is acquired by a major global player. This session unpacks what made Pocketed attractive to Deloitte, how negotiations unfolded, and what details founders and advisors should watch closely when stepping into a deal. You’ll walk away with a sharper sense of how to read a transaction, identify value triggers, and position your own venture for acquisition with clarity and confidence.

In this candid founder story, hear how explosive COVID-era growth turned into a plateau that forced a pivotal choice for Swish Goswami of Surf: sell now, or risk losing momentum. You’ll learn how the team recognized the right moment to exit, navigated the realities of a shifting market, and adapted fast when their first buyer walked away—even after signing an LOI. Part presentation, part fireside, it’s a strategic look at timing, resilience, and the real decision-making behind choosing the right exit, not just any exit.

The tech M&A market is shifting fast—global private equity firms are deploying capital into Canadian tech as AI acceleration and shifting buyer strategies reshape deals heading into 2026. This session provides a high-level market read from private equity perspectives, including examining global trends, cross-border timing, and where optionality creates leverage for founders and advisors. Expect concise, practical insights on what’s gaining momentum, what’s fading, and how to stay adaptable as international capital continues to shape the Canadian tech M&A landscape.

Selling a tech company isn’t a single event, but rather it’s a process that starts at least 24 months before going to market. This session breaks down the key steps founders can take to maximize valuation, avoid common pitfalls, and understand deal structures that could materially affect their outcomes. Drawing from real-world software acquisitions, Founder & CEO of Define Capital, highlights what separates smooth, value-driving exits from painful ones.