2019加拿大科创企业展望（英文版）_14页_1mb

Canada Startup Outlook 2019 Summary

Core Content

The Canada Startup Outlook 2019 report, published by Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), provides insights into the current and future state of the Canadian startup ecosystem. The survey includes responses from nearly 1,400 startup founders and executives across major innovation hubs in the US, the UK, China, and Canada. The report highlights optimism, challenges, and key trends shaping the innovation landscape.

Main Points

Optimism Amid Uncertainty

• Business Conditions: More than half of Canadian startups believe business conditions will improve in 2019 compared to 2018. Over 90% expect conditions to improve or remain stable, showing a generally positive outlook.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Canadian entrepreneurs are optimistic but also realistic about the challenges they face, such as hiring top talent and geopolitical uncertainties.

Capital Raising Challenges

• Fundraising Environment: 80% of Canadian startups that raised capital in 2018 find the current fundraising environment extremely or somewhat challenging.
• Preferred Funding Sources: Venture capital is the top source for the next round of funding, with nearly half of startups expecting to use it. Angel investors and micro VCs are also significant contributors, suggesting that Canada's innovation ecosystem is still in an earlier stage of development.

M&A Activity and Exit Strategies

• Acquisition Focus: Most Canadian startups (80%) expect to be acquired rather than go public. Only 20% plan to stay private long-term.
• M&A Outlook: 80% of Canadian startups anticipate M&A activity will increase or remain at 2018 levels, aligning with US startups' expectations. This optimism is driven by available capital and the growing visibility of the Canadian innovation ecosystem.

Technology and Innovation Trends

• Current Promising Sectors: AI and big data are seen as the most promising sectors today.
• Future Outlook: Canadian entrepreneurs anticipate significant growth in life science, autonomous transportation, and cleantech/energy innovation over the next decade.
• Government Collaboration: Industry and government are working together to support AI and cleantech/energy innovation.

Hiring Challenges

• Hiring Projections: Over 80% of Canadian startups plan to hire new employees in 2019.
• Talent Shortages: 89% of startups report it is extremely or somewhat challenging to find skilled workers. They are most in need of talent in product development/R&D, technical, and sales roles.
• Policy Impact: Access to talent is the top public policy issue for Canadian startups, followed by consumer privacy and cybersecurity. Many emphasize the importance of immigration policies and university training in addressing this challenge.

Diversity in Leadership

• Women in Leadership: 60% of Canadian startups have at least one woman in an executive role, and 40% have a woman on their board of directors. This reflects a positive trend in gender diversity within leadership positions.

Government Support

• Government Benefits: 60% of Canadian startups have received government benefits designed to support the innovation economy, with 60% reporting a positive impact.
• Key Programs: The most common government support programs include the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax incentive, Global Skills Strategy/Global Talent Stream, and the Start-up Visa Program.

Key Information

• Total Respondents: 1,377
• Primary Place of Business: Mostly in major innovation hubs across Canada, the US, the UK, and China.
• Ownership: Includes both private and public companies.
• Revenue Stage: Varies across different stages of development.
• Company Age: Includes startups at various ages, from early-stage to more mature firms.

Conclusion

The 2019 Canada Startup Outlook report underscores a resilient and optimistic innovation ecosystem, despite ongoing challenges such as talent shortages and macroeconomic uncertainties. It highlights the importance of venture capital in funding growth, the preference for acquisition over IPO, and the growing influence of AI and cleantech. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of government support and the need for a diverse and skilled workforce to sustain innovation in the long term.