Key Takeaways
- • The Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) and COVE, a global technology partner, have convened Canada's first dedicated Defence & Security Capital Markets Program.
- • The initiative is designed to bring together angel investors, venture funds, private equity investors and pensions to invest in Canadian companies that Canada and its allies will buy defence and security capability from.
- • Canada's defence budget is expected to exceed $150 billion by 2035 under its NATO spending commitment, driving demand for homegrown technology in autonomy, AI, robotics, cyber resilience, quantum, advanced sensing and space.
- • The program differs from traditional defence conferences by focusing on the intersection of capital, capability and procurement.
- • Interested parties can join a mailing list to receive details on the upcoming program; no dates or pricing were disclosed in the announcement.
Summary
The CVCA has partnered with COVE, a global technology partner whose stated focus spans seabed to space, to convene what they describe as Canada's first dedicated Defence & Security Capital Markets Program. The national initiative aims to channel private and institutional capital into Canadian defence and security companies, spanning the full capital stack from angel and venture investors to private equity firms and pension funds.
According to the announcement, the program is structured differently from conventional defence conferences or investor events. It is built around how capital, military capability and government procurement intersect. Speakers are expected to include global defence investors, founders, military leaders, procurement experts and industry executives. Discussion topics are slated to cover where customer demand is emerging, how defence buyers evaluate and adopt new technologies, how companies navigate procurement and scale, and what experienced investors look for when assessing opportunities.
The initiative comes as Canada expands its defence commitments. The announcement states Canada's defence budget is expected to exceed $150 billion by 2035 under its NATO spending commitment, which the organizers say is creating demand for domestic technology in autonomy, AI, robotics, cyber resilience, quantum computing, advanced sensing and space.
Melanie Nadeau, CEO of COVE, said investors need to determine whether a company addresses a real capability need, has access to end users and can move from validation to adoption. "Investors keep telling us they can see the opportunity, but not the path in. This is the path in," she said.
Benjamin Bergen, CEO of CVCA, said procurement reform and allied demand have given the sector a predictability it previously lacked. He argued that Canadian defence companies need Canadian capital "from the first cheque through to the buyout" so they can grow domestically and sell to Canada and its allies. Individuals and organizations may register interest through the program's mailing list for further details.
According to the announcement, the program is structured differently from conventional defence conferences or investor events. It is built around how capital, military capability and government procurement intersect. Speakers are expected to include global defence investors, founders, military leaders, procurement experts and industry executives. Discussion topics are slated to cover where customer demand is emerging, how defence buyers evaluate and adopt new technologies, how companies navigate procurement and scale, and what experienced investors look for when assessing opportunities.
The initiative comes as Canada expands its defence commitments. The announcement states Canada's defence budget is expected to exceed $150 billion by 2035 under its NATO spending commitment, which the organizers say is creating demand for domestic technology in autonomy, AI, robotics, cyber resilience, quantum computing, advanced sensing and space.
Melanie Nadeau, CEO of COVE, said investors need to determine whether a company addresses a real capability need, has access to end users and can move from validation to adoption. "Investors keep telling us they can see the opportunity, but not the path in. This is the path in," she said.
Benjamin Bergen, CEO of CVCA, said procurement reform and allied demand have given the sector a predictability it previously lacked. He argued that Canadian defence companies need Canadian capital "from the first cheque through to the buyout" so they can grow domestically and sell to Canada and its allies. Individuals and organizations may register interest through the program's mailing list for further details.
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