The past year has been challenging for a range of businesses, marked by continued inflation and an increasingly uncertain economic landscape.
Startups have not been immune, with venture capital deals in Canada dropping by 71% on an annual basis in the first quarter as higher interest rates and the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank rippled through the global tech sector. Many companies laid off workers or even stopped operations altogether.
However, times of uncertainty can push companies to adapt and innovate — and lead to new opportunities for emerging industries. Artificial intelligence startups have flourished, buoyed by a global influx of capital and enthusiasm to incorporate generative AI into businesses. Healthcare disruptors and fintech innovators have also blossomed, helping overall venture capital bounce back in the second quarter of the year.
LinkedIn’s 6th annual Top Startups list is the resource to find the startups to pay attention to right now, featuring 15 Canadian companies that are rising to the challenges of the moment and continuing to innovate and gain attention in 2024.
- Neo Financial, Calgary
- Float, Toronto
- Cohere, Toronto
- Fable, Toronto
- ODAIA, Toronto
- Felix, Toronto
- AltaML, Edmonton
- PurposeMed, Calgary
- Novisto, Montreal
- Vessi, Vancouver
- Conquest Planning, Winnipeg
- Summit Nanotech, Calgary
- Sanctuary AI, Vancouver
- Makeship, Vancouver
- Nesto, Montreal
Note that Canadian fintech Neo Financial was ranked #1 last year and repeated in 2023.