Perspectives

Perspectives from
the Northside

News and bold ideas from founder, Alex McIsaac, and the Northside community.

Canadian defence and dual-use technology illustration with satellite, drone, naval vessel and radar over a Canadian skyline

Where is the White Space for Canadian Defence Founders?

Canada's defence budget is scaling toward NATO's 5% target, but only 84 dual-use companies have been founded here in the last five years. A category-by-category map of where the white space is for founders starting today.

My 2026 Predictions

Ten predictions on how AI, capital, and business models will evolve in 2026, and what those shifts mean for founders and investors. A forward-looking view of where Northside is paying attention.

January 5, 2026

2025 Year in Review

2025 was Northside’s most active year yet, with record investments, portfolio growth, and community building across Canada and the U.S. A look back at the milestones, themes, and people that shaped the year.

December 31, 2025

Launching the Northside Ventures Scout Program

We’re launching the Northside Ventures Scout Program to connect with exceptional student founders across key ecosystems and support them earlier in their journey. Meet the inaugural 2026 cohort and the thinking behind the program.

December 17, 2025

The Northside Approach: Our Vision for Backing Exceptional Canadian Founders. Before Day One.

Today, I’m proud to introduce the new Northside Ventures website and our refreshed branding that reflects the lessons learned from thousands of founder conversations over the last two years since I launched the fund in 2023.

Should You Talk to VCs When You’re Not Raising?

For pre-seed and seed stage founders, there are really three different scenarios — and the right approach is different for each.

State of the Venture Market Today

My perspective on the forces shaping early-stage venture in 2025.