The discussion dives into the drastic shift in developer hiring, highlighting a post-pandemic buyer's market. It examines the impact of automation on job roles and the notable decline in junior positions. The conversation also touches on funding challenges faced by clean tech initiatives, particularly with changes to the Alberta investor tax credit. Insights are shared on strategic investments in evolving economic landscapes, as well as the competitive pressures from U.S. funding that affect Canadian startups.
The shift from a seller's market to a buyer's market has been influenced by mass layoffs and unfulfilled growth expectations post-pandemic.
The hosts are exploring new podcast formats, including two episodes weekly and engaging discussions, to maintain relevance in the podcasting landscape.
Concerns about the capital gains tax potentially reshaping investor strategies indicate a pivotal moment for angel and venture capital in Canada.
Deep dives
Introduction of New Host and Questions
The episode begins with the hosts announcing the introduction of a new podcast editor, Jess Schmidt, who will read tech questions submitted by listeners. The hosts emphasize the informal and unscripted nature of the episode and share their excitement about answering a diverse set of questions from the Canadian tech community. They humorously acknowledge that Jess has little knowledge of the tech field, which they believe makes her an ideal facilitator for this episode. This change in format aims to engage listeners by allowing them to send in their inquiries directly to the podcast.
Feedback on Podcast Format
One of the questions raised by a listener relates to potential future formats for the podcast, specifically if they have considered incorporating a weekly news roundup. The hosts reflect on how the podcast initially began, suggesting that they may look to revisit previous successful formats. They discuss their intention to stay relevant in a crowded podcasting market, indicating that they are exploring options such as two episodes per week and more dynamic discussions beyond guest interviews. The conversation highlights the hosts' commitment to evolving the podcast while staying true to the essence of their original content.
Impact of Capital Gains Tax on Investments
In response to a listener's inquiry about the recent capital gains tax, the hosts explore its potential impact on angel and venture capital investments. They discuss how these taxes might cause investors to rethink their strategies or even withdraw from the Canadian market. The hosts acknowledge that while the tax itself has been contentious, its significance may also stem from broader feelings within the investment community regarding market conditions. They conclude that many angel investors are likely to continue backing projects they believe in despite the challenges posed by the new tax regulations.
Challenges in Clean Technology Investment
A question regarding support for software-based clean technology leads to a broader discussion on Canada’s investment landscape in relation to the US. The hosts express concern about recent legislation favoring hard tech over software solutions and highlight the competitive disadvantage faced by Canadian clean tech in light of significant US investment initiatives. They discuss the necessity for Canada to define its niche within the clean tech sector, particularly given the abundance of funding in the US. The conversation underscores the need for strategic clarity in government support to foster a sustainable innovation ecosystem.
Evaluating Government Accelerators and ROI
The issue of measuring the return on investment from government-backed accelerators is raised, prompting the hosts to share insights on how these programs typically assess their effectiveness. They explain that these organizations often measure their impact primarily by the number of jobs created as a result of their support. The discussion includes reflections on the challenges of establishing clear causation between accelerator initiatives and tangible outcomes, due to confounding factors in the economy. The hosts conclude that while there are serious debates about accountability, many in the field remain dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurship.
“It was a seller's market during the pandemic … They were staffing up in the anticipation of growth that never actually materialized. It's now a buyer's market.”
For our 350th episode (!) of The BetaKit Podcast, the gang once again attempts to survive an overstuffed mailbag of listener-submitted questions regarding: the fediverse, federal cleantech tax credits, disappeared Alberta investor tax credits, and interesting Indeed job numbers.
Presented by Carbon6. In the face of mass layoffs and long hiring cycles, Carbon6 wants to attract candidates with stability. Learn more about their hiring drive here.
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