The Hard Part with Evan McCann Prashant Matta from Panache Ventures
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Jun 9, 2025 Prashant Matta, Managing Partner of Panache Ventures, shares insights from Canada's most active seed-stage venture capital fund. He discusses the current state of the Canadian venture ecosystem, including a projected 50% increase in startup formations for 2024. Prashant highlights the impact of AI on investment strategies and the importance of community support for founders. He also addresses common pitfalls early-stage entrepreneurs face and emphasizes the evolving landscape of venture capital, especially in Toronto’s thriving tech scene.
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Canadian Startup Ecosystem Growth
- Despite a tough market and negative narratives, the Canadian startup ecosystem is growing robustly.
- Startup formation increased by 50% in 2024 compared to 2023, signaling strong entrepreneurial momentum.
AI's Complex Investment Landscape
- AI lowers technical barriers, making it hard to pick clear winners in investment.
- Rapid revenue growth often comes with churn, showing early-stage AI markets are experimental.
Founder Over Product at Pre-Seed
- At pre-seed stage, 70% of investment decisions hinge on founding team quality.
- Focus is on founder-market fit rather than product-market fit at this point.