Humi’s Post

To raise or not to raise? Fundraising isn’t one-size-fits-all. At #InnovationWeekYYC, founders and experienced VCs shared their wins, missteps, and strategies. In a panel held at Platform Calgary, the conversation featured April Hicke of Toast, Cameron Burke of Fort Capital Partners, Kevin Kliman of Humi, and Judyanna Yu of One Six 8 Ventures. Here’s what they had to say: ✅ April Hicke: Bootstrapping is underrated. By avoiding external funding, Hicke emphasized the ability to maintain control over business decisions, ensuring her company stays mission-driven. “Being able to grow sustainably and stay purpose-driven has worked for us,” she said. ✅ Cameron Burke: Avoid the pressure to conform. Early on, Burke felt compelled to follow traditional paths others had taken, which didn’t align with his business needs. He urged founders to chart their own course: “I thought the way other people do it is the way I should be doing it.” ✅ Judyanna Yu: Preparation is key for venture capital. “Be ready enough for VC, where you do have a clear plan of how you're going to expand [and] how much.” she explained. ✅ Kevin Kliman: Building in Canada offers key advantages, including access to non-dilutive funding and lower costs. “There are a whole lot of advantages of being a resident here and paying Canadian taxes,” Kliman said. Curious about how these approaches can shape your funding journey? Read the full article for insights and actionable advice. ➡️ Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gNZ6t23H ➡️ Subscribe for updates: https://lnkd.in/gT-y69vE ➡️ See all Innovation Week YYC coverage: https://lnkd.in/gz85Wg9A