Schulich Startups and North Horizon Strengthen Support for Canada's Innovation Ecosystem Through Investor Dialogue
TORONTO, Oct. 21, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Schulich Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Schulich Startups) and North Horizon Holdings Inc. continue to build on their partnership to support Canada's innovation ecosystem, connecting founders, investors and industry leaders through mentorship, practical learning and conversations that help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of building and scaling ventures.
On October 14, Schulich Startups hosted its latest Schulich Venture Series: Investor on Investor at North Horizon's Toronto office, bringing together members of Canada's startup and investment communities for an unfiltered discussion about how venture capital decisions are made.
Titled 'Two Cheques, Two Worlds – What Founders Get Wrong About Who's on the Other Side of the Table', the session explored the different mandates, constraints and considerations that shape investment decisions. Through a peer-to-peer conversation inspired by the Actors on Actors format, investors discussed what happens behind the scenes of a funding decision, the signals they look for when evaluating founders, and why a company can be a strong opportunity yet fall outside an investor's mandate.
The conversation addressed a central challenge for Canadian founders: understanding not only how to build a compelling business, but also how investors evaluate opportunities, manage risk and determine where to deploy capital and featured Melissa Allen, Founding Partner, Capital M Ventures and Kimberly Yeung, Partner, Thrive Venture Fund & Women in Tech Venture Fund at BDC.
"It was an honour to be welcomed into the North Horizon office to speak authentically about the world of Venture Capital and share my experiences as a solo General Partner" says Allen. "These conversations are critical in providing founders with the knowledge and tools they need for success. Bravo to the Schulich Startups team for once again bringing together the tech community and moving forward innovation in Toronto, and Canada."
The event reflects the broader goals of the partnership between Schulich Startups and North Horizon: creating meaningful connections between founders, investors and experienced operators while strengthening the support available to Canada's next generation of high-growth businesses.
Through its support of Schulich Startups, North Horizon contributes to initiatives that connect entrepreneurs with practical guidance and opportunities to engage with the broader innovation ecosystem. The partnership includes supporting the North Horizon Entrepreneur-in-Residence position (held by Cherry Rose Tan), which provides hands-on support to founders navigating business growth, as well as curated events through the Schulich Venture Series that bring together investors, operators and entrepreneurs for meaningful exchange.
North Horizon also supports future business leaders through the North Horizon Roots & Impact Award and contributions to the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Student Experience Fund at the Schulich School of Business, supporting students and initiatives that advance innovation and entrepreneurship.
"Founders can't build world class companies if they are constantly guessing about what is happening on the other side of the table," says Chris Carder, Executive Director, Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Jay Smith and Laura Rapp Chair in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Schulich School of Business, York University. "North Horizon's support of Schulich Startups and our Founder community is putting that conversation out in the open and on the table. We loved seeing tactics and mission meet in this high-impact conversation."
"At North Horizon, we believe that building a stronger Canadian innovation ecosystem requires more than capital. It takes meaningful connections, shared experience, and a long-term commitment to developing entrepreneurs and future business leaders. Our partnership with Schulich reflects this belief, and we are pleased to create opportunities for founders and investors to learn from one another and contribute to Canada's future growth." Xiaobo Wang, Executive Vice-President of Corporate Development, North Horizon Holdings Inc.
The Schulich Venture Series is part of Schulich Startups' ongoing work to build connections across Canada's innovation ecosystem. By creating opportunities for investors to share their perspectives openly, the series helps founders develop a clearer understanding of fundraising, investment decisions and the realities of scaling a business.
Through continued collaboration, Schulich Startups and North Horizon are working to strengthen the relationships, knowledge and resources that help Canadian entrepreneurs turn promising ideas into enduring businesses.
About Schulich Startups
The Schulich Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Schulich Startups) at the Schulich School of Business, York University, connects students, alumni, founders and industry leaders through entrepreneurship programming, mentorship, events and community partnerships, helping build the knowledge and relationships needed to develop and scale successful ventures.
For more information, visit https://schulich.yorku.ca/schulich-startups/.
About North Horizon Holdings Inc.
North Horizon Holdings Inc brings a long-term, globally minded investment perspective to supporting high-potential businesses and leadership that drives meaningful impact. Operating at the intersection of capital, strategy and ecosystem building, North Horizon is committed to fostering the next generation of leaders who will shape industries, create jobs and contribute to a stronger, more globally connected Canada.
For more information, visit https://www.northhorizon.com/.
SOURCE North Horizon Holdings Inc
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