A Deep Tech Journey since I moved to Toronto, Canada.
After spending 2 months with Antler, it was great to connect, understand the market, regulations, culture, and grasp the Canadian mindset. Last week, I participated into a fantastic Brazilian Mission organized by ACATE - Associação Catarinense de Tecnologia (Catarinense Technology Association), the Government of Canada and BCCC Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce during Collision Conf to strengthen relationships within the tech ecossystem and understand the Canadian business opportunities.
As I heard, the Brazilian delegation was the largest one at Collision, ~50 people, which means Brazilians are eager to strengthen business ties with Canada. The central topic was the accelerated advancement of AI technologies and their effects on businesses and society, which I will share more about the important timing soon.
A few things are becoming clear here. The US market still the main attractive ocean for Canada, given its huge economy, 330M people market, USMCA agreement, common cultural aspects such as language and the easy & affordable distance between markets. U.S. goods and services trade with USMCA totaled an estimated $1.8T in 2022.
Nevertheless, Brazil and Canada still share a large potential. Brazil is the 3rd largest economy in Americas. São Paulo State is responsible for ~30% of the Brazilian GDP, and Ontario State contributes to the majority of the Canadian GDP, ~38%, and you know what? SP it's just 1 hour time zone ahead of Toronto, within an overnight flight, u wake up there.
Interresting Data:
- 🇨🇦 and 🇧🇷 trade $13b in 23, both have similar GDP's around $2T;
- 🇧🇷 is Canada’s 2nd largest foreign investor in the Americas and among the top 10 globally;
- 🇨🇦 investments in 🇧🇷 stood at $25b in 23;
- 🇨🇦 and 🇧🇷 share a bilateral agreement for science, tech and innovation;
Ontario Data:
- 400k business in Ontario;
- 17 innovation centers;
- CAD80bn of cost savings.
The mission lead by
Harpa Global, included:
- Global Startups: An acelerator with 220+ startups and $500M+ raised. Ontario’s Innovation Center shared insights about its impressive investment corridor, AI investments, and entrepreneurial challenges in Canada. Speeches from John Ruffolo of Maverix Private Equity and Miryam Lazarte;
- CNTower: Toronto from the top. The Tower represents much more than a building; it is a symbol of knowledge and potential, reminding me of Dubai's strategy of the 3T's;
- Waterloo: Visits to Communitech, The Accelerator, Catalyst137;
- Talks with Meta IT North America, Vector Institute, Klabin, LINDA, Toronto Region Board of Trade, Toronto Business College, Canada StartHub, between others. Special tks to Cristina Hori, Claudia Kakunaka, Peter Elkins, @Arnon, Henrique Bilbao, Leandro Rubio Faria. Marcos Machado, Evandro Barros, Renato Grau, Leandro de Andrade Rochelle, Vinicius Morandi and everyone involved, it was a pleasure. Tks 🇨🇦 for such a warm welcome!
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