Despite catalyzing nearly $100 billion in value, Canadian innovation programs like Velocity and CDL leave key contributors—ecosystem staff and operators—without equity or upside. While founders and institutions benefit, the people enabling startup success often remain underpaid and structurally excluded.
In contrast, U.S. models like Y Combinator reward early-stage supporters, fostering a sustainable loop of reinvestment. Builders Club is proposing a new Canadian model with aligned incentives, peer-led support, and community-owned upside. Without such changes, Canada risks losing talent, reinvestment, and the next generation of high-growth ventures to systems designed to reward value creation.
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