A Toronto VC managing partner explains why most startups will fail: founders need to succeed without help, capital is king, and Canada's ecosystem lags far behind Israel's. He won't fund anyone who needs him to win.
My guest today is the co founder and managing partner of the Group Ventures, a Toronto based venture capital firm.
We're actually going to a period of time where it's a bit difficult for us to get conviction. I don't know if these companies will exist or have a right to exist in a year or two years.
The value out of a venture capital investor is their money. Everything else is extra or bonus.
I will not invest in you if I think you need my help in order to succeed. And when you invest in the Canadian ecosystem, I think you have to understand that it's not mature. We have a big problem.
Do you have any advice for entrepreneurs who are struggling today?
Struggle is part of the job description.
Israel has per capita 19 times more venture capital investments. Why do you think that is?
Over the last couple of years, our fund has been doing more Israeli deals than it has Canadian deals.
We've seen an explosion in anti Semitism since the October 7th attack in 2023. What do you make of all this? Why is this happening?
You know, I think it's the first time I'm kind of moving uneasily in my.
