The BetaKit Podcast Channel It's 'Valley or Bust' for Canada's young entrepreneurs
Nov 24, 2025
Nain Abdi, co-founder of Colair and former University of Waterloo student, shares his journey from a Canadian startup to the heart of Silicon Valley. He discusses the archaic hiring practices in tech and how Colair uses AI to assess candidates practically. Nain explains the opportunities that pulled him south, emphasizing the vibrant network in San Francisco compared to Canada's scene. He encourages young founders to experience the Valley's energy and bring those insights back home to enhance the Canadian tech ecosystem.
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Rapid Exodus Of High-Potential Startups
- One third of high-potential Canadian startups from 2024 were no longer headquartered in Canada by 2025.
- Half of that cohort moved to the United States, highlighting rapid cross-border founder migration.
Pitch Win That Propelled A Move
- A pitch competition run by a U.S. VC unexpectedly offered Nain pre-seed funding and an invitation to work full-time in San Francisco.
- Nain and his co-founder initially thought it was a scam but accepted and moved, changing their company's trajectory.
Proximity Multiplies Opportunity
- San Francisco compresses distance to opportunity: founders, investors, and decision-makers are physically and socially close.
- That proximity creates continuous exchange of tactical advice and faster company momentum.