Insights for founders
Ideas on networking, community, and building real relationships in Vancouver's startup scene.
BC Startup Ecosystem Guide (2026): Funding, Tax Credits, Talent
BC captured 31% of Canadian VC in 2025 with 9,400+ tech companies. Where the funding, tax credits, and talent actually are, from Vancouver to Kelowna.
The Best Dinner Clubs in San Francisco: What Each One Is Actually For
Dinner clubs in San Francisco compared: Timeleft, supper clubs, member communities, and Founder Feast, the vetted weekly dinner club built for founders.
Founder Dinners in Los Angeles: Five Founders, One Table, Every Thursday
Founder dinners in Los Angeles: how Founder Feast works, why five founders per table, and how to get a seat at the first LA dinner on September 3, 2026.
Founder Dinners in San Francisco: Five Seats, One Table, Every Thursday
Founder dinners in San Francisco start Thursday, September 3, 2026. How Founder Feast works, why tables seat five founders, and how to reserve a seat.
The Founder Feast App: A Dinner Club in Your Pocket
The Founder Feast app puts a dinner club in your pocket: apply, book a Thursday dinner, get the 48-hour restaurant reveal, and chat with your table.
The Best Apps to Meet Other Founders in 2026: An Honest Guide
An honest guide to apps to meet other founders in 2026: X, LinkedIn, Luma, Timeleft, Meetup, Slack communities, and the Founder Feast app, compared.
How to Meet Founders in Los Angeles: 7 Strategies That Actually Work
How to meet founders in Los Angeles: seven strategies that actually work, from picking your corridor to run clubs, curated dinners, and LA Tech Week.
How to Meet Founders in San Francisco: 7 Strategies That Actually Work
How to meet founders in San Francisco: seven proven strategies, from recurring small events and hackathons to run clubs and curated founder dinners.
Is Founder Feast Worth It? The Honest Math
What membership costs, what it covers, and what you get back. The honest math on a curated founder dinner club, including who should skip it.
Los Angeles Tech Networking Events 2026: The Honest Guide
Los Angeles tech networking events 2026, honestly ranked: LA Tech Week, Silicon Beach, El Segundo hard tech, founder run clubs, and curated dinner clubs.
San Francisco Tech Networking Events 2026: The Honest Guide
San Francisco tech networking events 2026, honestly ranked: SF Tech Week, YC orbit, South Park Commons, Shack15, hackathons, run clubs, founder dinners.
SF vs LA Startup Scene in 2026: An Honest Comparison for Founders
SF vs LA startup scene in 2026: an honest comparison of capital, talent, cost, hiring, and community for founders choosing between the two cities.
What Second Time Canadian Founders Wish They Knew: 2026 Lessons
Hard-won lessons from second time founders Canada: hire earlier, raise less, pick better markets, and skip the traps that killed your first startup.
The State of AI Startups Canada 2026: What's Funded, What's Hyped, What's Real
A sober look at AI startups Canada in 2026: funded companies, foundation model bets, Vector and Mila spinouts, and where founders should actually build.
Selling to Canadian Enterprises: Why It's Harder Than the US (2026)
Enterprise sales cycles in Canada run 2-3x longer than the US. Here's how early-stage founders crack banks, telcos, and Crown corps without burning 18 months of runway.
Your First 10 Hires as a Canadian Startup Founder: Roles, Comp, Timing (2026)
A tactical order-of-operations guide to your first hires at a startup in Canada. CAD comp bands, equity ranges, and where to source talent.
The Shopify Mafia: 12 Shopify Alumni Startups to Watch in 2026
A map of 12 Shopify alumni startups reshaping Canadian tech in 2026. Who left, what they're building, and why this mafia matters.
The Startup Ecosystem BC in 2026: A Founder's Field Guide
A 2026 field guide to the BC startup ecosystem: accelerators, VCs, hubs beyond Vancouver, sector strengths, and how it stacks up against Ontario.
Founder Loneliness in Canada: Why It Hits Harder Here (2026)
Founder loneliness in Canada is worse than in the US. Here's why Canadian founders isolate faster, and the specific systems that fix it.
8 Best Coworking Spaces in Vancouver for Founders (2026 Ranked)
A founder-reviewed ranking of Vancouver's 8 best coworking spaces in 2026. Judged on network density, price, meeting rooms, and vibe. No marketing fluff.
Delaware Flip for Canadian Startups: 2026 Guide
Should your Canadian startup flip to Delaware in 2026? Real costs, updated tax trade-offs (SR&ED vs QSBS), Section 85 mechanics, and when it actually makes sense.
10 Canadian Founder Newsletters Worth Subscribing To in 2026
The 10 Canadian founder newsletters that actually earn their inbox slot in 2026. From BetaKit to regional picks most founders miss.
10 Vancouver Tech Meetups Worth Attending in 2026
The Vancouver tech meetups actually worth your Thursday night in 2026. AI, SaaS, web3, and founder dinners, with what each is good for.
The Main Event: Vancouver's Founder Party on July 30
25 entrepreneurs and investors, one room in Mount Pleasant. The Main Event lands July 30 at Togetherheads Studio. Food and drink included, $150 early bird.
Canada Startup Visa Closed (2026): The Real Playbook 7 Months In
The SUV grace period expired June 30. The Entrepreneur Pilot has issued 61 ITAs. Here's what's actually working for founder immigration in July 2026.
Best Startup Accelerators in Canada (2026): All 15 Compared
CDL, Techstars Toronto, DMZ, FounderFuel and 11 more, compared on cheque size, equity ask, and alumni outcomes. Match the program to your stage.
Best Startup Lawyers in Canada (2026): Founder-Recommended Firms and Boutiques
A founder-vetted guide to the best startup lawyers in Canada in 2026. Osler, Fasken, McMillan, Stikeman, plus boutiques, fees, and when to hire.
14 Canadian Startup Tax Credits & Grants You're Missing (2026): SR&ED, IRAP + More
Most founders leave $100K+ on the table. SR&ED refunds 35% of R&D. IRAP gives up to $1M non-dilutive. Full 2026 list with eligibility + how to apply.
The Pitch Deck Canadian Founders Use to Close US Investors (2026)
Slide-by-slide breakdown of how Canadian founders retool their pitch deck for US VCs: USD sizing, US comps, and the 'why not SF?' answer.
7 Yaletown Restaurants Vancouver Founders Pick for Investor Dinners (2026)
Where Vancouver founders close deals in Yaletown: Blue Water Cafe, Cioppino's, Homer Street + 4 more. Updated June 2026 with current picks and pricing.
8 Kitsilano Spots Where Vancouver Founders Network in 2026
Where Kits founders actually meet in 2026: cafes, restaurants, and patios for co-founder coffees, deal talks, and investor dinners. Local-tested picks.
Kelowna Startup Ecosystem (2026): The Quiet Tech Hub Most Founders Miss
A grounded look at the Kelowna startup ecosystem in 2026: Accelerate Okanagan, UBCO talent, exits like Vidyard and Disney Streaming, and the real trade-offs.
Where Vancouver Investors Take Founders for Dinner: Insider Map 2026
The restaurants Vancouver angels and VCs actually use to vet founders, mapped by stage. Coffee, pre-seed, seed, Series A. Real spots, real names.
Hiring Engineers in Toronto (2026): Comp Bands, Sources, and Closing Against US Offers
A tactical 2026 playbook for hiring engineers in Toronto: CAD comp bands, sourcing channels, equity expectations, and closing tactics against US remote offers.
Why Founder Dinners Beat Networking Events: 80% vs 3% Follow-Up (2026)
Networking events convert at 3%. Curated 5-person founder dinners hit 80% follow-up. The 2026 data on why small tables beat big rooms for real connections.
Best Startup Banks Canada 2026: RBC, Brex, Float, Loop Compared
Side-by-side breakdown of the banks Canadian founders actually use in 2026. USD accounts, FX fees, credit limits, and pre-seed vs Series A combos.
How to Incorporate a Canadian Startup in 2026 (Federal vs Provincial)
A founder's guide to incorporating in Canada in 2026: CBCA vs OBCA vs BCBCA, share structures, founder vesting, and when to flip to Delaware.
SR&ED Startup Guide (2026): From Zero to First Refund
A step-by-step SR&ED startup guide for first-time Canadian claimants. Eligible expenses, T661 walkthrough, consultant vs DIY, and refund timelines.
Timeleft vs Founder Feast: Which Dinner Table Fits You? (2026)
Both seat you with five strangers for dinner. One matches for friendship, one matches founders by industry and stage. Honest comparison: price, format, who's at the table.
Y Combinator in Canada (2026): Is YC Back for Canadians?
YC cut Canada in Nov 2025, then reversed in Feb 2026. What the whiplash means for you: stay a CCPC or Delaware flip, and how Canadian YC alumni decide.
How to Network as an Entrepreneur in Vancouver (2026)
The 2026 playbook for Vancouver founder networking. Real venues, current events, and why small dinners beat 200-person meetups every time.
How to Network as a Founder Without the Cringe (2026)
Most founders hate networking events. Here's how to build a real founder network in 2026 without the name tags, forced pitches, or fake coffee chats.
Top Toronto VC Firms Backing Canadian Startups (2026 Founder's Guide)
A founder's map of the top Toronto VC firms in 2026. Cheque sizes, sector focus, partner intros, and how to actually get in the room.
How to Actually Find a Cofounder in Canada (2026 Guide)
The real channels Canadian founders use to find cofounders. Hackathons, dinners, residencies, alumni networks. Plus vetting questions and equity frameworks.
How Canadian Founders Raise Pre-Seed Funding in 2026 (Without Moving to SF)
A tactical playbook for raising $500K-$1.5M pre-seed funding in Canada. Angels, micro-VCs, accelerators, SR&ED, and how to structure the round.
Building a Startup in Toronto (2026): The Real Founder's Guide
Toronto raises more VC than every other Canadian city combined. Here's the honest 2026 guide to incorporating, hiring, and raising in Canada's biggest startup hub.
9 Toronto Restaurants Where Founders Actually Meet (2026 Guide)
Where Toronto founders take investors, recruit co-founders, and close deals. 9 vetted spots from King West to Ossington, picked by the operators who eat there.
5 Real Connections That Started at Founder Feast
A SaaS founder found her advisor. Two founders started a company together. Here are 5 real stories from Founder Feast dinners in Vancouver.
Founder Feast vs Networking Events: What Actually Works
No badges, no pitches, no working the room. Why a table of five vetted founders beats another mixer, and when a networking event is still the right call.
What Happens at a Founder Feast Dinner? (Step by Step)
From the morning-of message to the post-dinner group chat. Exactly what a Founder Feast dinner night looks like, step by step, start to finish.
Why We Only Seat 5 Founders Per Table
Not 10, not 20, not 50. Why five is the number where real conversation happens, and how every Founder Feast table is built around it.
How Canadian Founders Raise From US Investors (2026)
US VCs deployed over $425B last year. What they look for in Canadian startups, how to land first meetings, and when a Delaware flip is actually required.
Canada vs US: Where Should Your Startup Incorporate? (2026)
Lawyers say Delaware, accountants say stay CCPC. The real math on SR&ED, US VC access, flip costs, and exit taxes, with a decision framework by stage.
Vancouver vs Toronto for Startups: Which City Wins in 2026?
Toronto has 3x more VC money but Vancouver founders burn 50% less. We compare funding, talent, rent, and lifestyle across 8 metrics that matter.
Best Province to Start a Business in Canada (2026), Ranked
Ontario, BC, Alberta, and Quebec compared on tax, VC access, and talent cost. Alberta's 8% rate vs Ontario's capital depth: the winner by startup type.
How to Raise VC in Vancouver: 2026 Founder Guide
Vancouver's active funds, typical cheque sizes, and how BC founders get first meetings with local and US investors. A practical guide for 2026.
Vancouver Startup Events 2026: The 10 Founders Actually Attend
The Vancouver startup events founders actually rate in 2026: pitch nights, founder dinners, and demo days, with dates, venues, and which ones to skip.
Building a Startup in Vancouver: Founder Lessons
Vancouver produced Slack, Clio, and Hootsuite. We talked to local founders about what makes this city special, what
Vansh Sobti: Building Cloud Nine Clothing to $10M at 22
The full Vansh Sobti story: 100 manufacturer rejections, prototypes sewn from his mom's old hoodies, and how Cloud Nine Clothing hit $10M in revenue by 22.
North Vancouver Startups: Why Founders Love the Shore
Home to Arc'teryx and a quiet cluster of builders on the North Shore. Where North Vancouver founders actually meet, eat, and build in 2026.
9 Gastown Restaurants Where Vancouver Founders Actually Meet (2026)
Skip the tourist traps. These are the 9 Gastown spots Vancouver founders, investors, and operators pick for real meetings, deal dinners, and intros.
The 8 Best Restaurants in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver (2026)
The 8 best restaurants in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver: date-night rooms, team dinners, and where the neighbourhood's startup crowd actually eats. Vetted for 2026.
Founder Feast
Ready to meet Vancouver's best founders?
Every Thursday, 5 hand-picked entrepreneurs sit down for dinner. No pitches. No panels. Just real conversations that turn into partnerships, friendships, and deals.
Apply for a SeatFree to apply · 2 minutes · We review every application