Cross-Border Investment Forum Tackles Ecosystem Features, Immigration, and IP

Today we had the opportunity to collaborate with the Consulate General of Canada in Boston as well as the Canadian Venture Capital Association (CVCA) to put on our first ever Cross-Border Investment Forum.

We were lucky enough to host seasoned investors alongside legal and immigration experts to provide insight on what it means to invest across borders. Among them was David Alward, Consul General of Canada to New England, who kicked off the event and offered his perspective on the business potential between the two regions. “The synergies between Canada and New England, including robust tech ecosystems and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, provide an ease of doing business,” Alward noted.

NEVCA President Jody Rose provided her take on the immense value of the New England entrepreneurial ecosystem — and specifically Boston — and how we have created such a thriving and unique innovation economy.

The rest of the afternoon included a statement from Canadian Venture Capital Association CEO Kim Furlong regarding Canada’s recent growth in venture capital and private equity in recent years, as well as a panel covering tax law, human capital and immigration, and intellectual property policy differences between the two countries. On the panel was David Zug of HarbourVest Partners; Garry Brunk of Lumira Ventures; John Pittfield of Choate, Hall & Stewart; Gary Solway of Barret Jones LLP; and Cyril Joseph of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The panel was moderated by Emmanuel Kamarianakis, the Director General of Investment and Innovation at Global Affairs Canada.

Check out a few additional highlights from the day:

Thank you to the many investors from both sides of the border who made it a priority to attend!