Schedule

Invest Canada ’26 brings together targeted programming and peer engagement to support informed decision-making across private markets.

Check-In Hours & Concierge Services: 12:00 PM-7:00 PM. Please note, lunch will not be provided on Day 1.
Check-in: Second Floor, Ballroom Level (Halifax Convention Centre)
All sessions are in Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT)

(OFFSITE) Emerging Managers Workshop, Presented by Inovia Capital, Northleaf Capital & COVE

Now in its third year, the Emerging Managers Workshop returns as a dedicated, curated program for emerging fund managers attending Invest Canada. The session is designed to create space for practical discussion, peer exchange, and direct engagement on the realities of building and scaling an early fund.

The 2026 workshop will take place on Halifax’s harbour, the home to a dense community of technology companies, founders, investors, and ecosystem partners. The location of the event provides a working environment that reflects the kind of collaboration this session is designed to support.

Additional session details, including speakers and breakout themes, will be announced shortly. Please note that pre-registration is required to ensure a productive environment for participants. Participants who have pre-registered will receive session location details in their inbox prior to the event.
  • Melanie Nadeau Chief Executive Officer, COVE

(OFFSITE) Emerging Managers Networking Lunch, Presented by Espace CDPQ & COVE

Following the Emerging Managers Workshop, emerging fund managers are invited to continue the conversation over lunch in an informal, open-networking setting. Presented by Espace CDPQ, the lunch is designed to extend the morning’s discussions and encourage peer-to-peer connection in a relaxed, working environment. The format is intentionally unstructured, allowing participants to move freely, reconnect with panelists and facilitators, and build relationships with fellow emerging managers. In line with our commitment to cater to the needs of all participants, pre-registration is required for this event. A registration link will be included in your Invest Canada ’26 confirmation email. Participants who have pre-registered will receive session location details in their inbox prior to the event.

Invite-Only: CFO Networking Lunch presented by CAC, part of The Baldwin Group

The CFO Networking Lunch is held as part of Invest Canada in Halifax in conjunction with the CVCA CFO Network. The room is made up of senior finance leads across VC and PE. It is structured as a small, closed lunch to allow for direct conversation across funds. Most firms are working through the same set of issues right now. The value comes from the room. Attendees meet peers they would not normally cross paths with and compare how different firms are handling the same constraints. New relationships tend to form quickly given the overlap in responsibility. To attend, you must be registered for Invest Canada. Registration confirmation includes details to secure a seat at the CFO lunch.

To ensure appropriate seating and catering, those who do not pre-register will not be admitted. Pre-registration required.

For more information or to register, contact [email protected].

LP-ONLY Session (Allocation Considerations), Presented by Sagard

Location: Ballroom B1
This LP-only session is designed as a closed-door discussion for limited partners to explore how private capital fits within broader portfolio strategies in the current market environment. The session is intended to support candid, practitioner-level discussion among LPs, drawing on shared experience across investor types and mandates. Additional session details will be announced soon. Please note only limited partners will be permitted entry. Pre-registration is not necessary, but your registration type will be checked at the door, and we regret that non-LPs will not be able to attend.  

GP-ONLY Session: The Private Capital Market Benchmark, Presented by BDC

Location: Argyle Suite A1
Northleaf Capital, Carta, BDC, and CVCA will bring their respective data to the same table. Each measures the market from a different vantage point. When those views are examined together, differences in interpretation become visible and assumptions get tested against current evidence. The discussion will focus on how capital is moving through the system and what those patterns suggest about the market’s direction. This is a closed GP session. It is structured as a live comparison of how the market is being read by those closest to the numbers, and how those readings inform capital allocation decisions.

Please note only general partners will be permitted entry. Pre-registration is not necessary but your registration type will be checked at the door, and we regret that non-GPs will not be able to attend.
  • Paula Cruickshank Senior Vice President, Fund Investments, BDC
  • David Kornacki Director, Data & Product, CVCA
  • Joseph Regan Senior Managing Partner – Venture Capital, BDC Capital
  • John Rikhtegar Vice President, Private Equity, Northleaf Capital
  • Peter Walker Head of Insights, Carta

NEW: Curated GP–LP 1:1 Meetings, Presented by Invest Nova Scotia

Location: Ballroom B1
For the first time, Invest Canada ’26 will trial a curated GP–LP 1:1 meeting format designed to support focused, mandate-aligned conversations between fund managers and allocators. The session consists of pre-scheduled, one-on-one meetings arranged in advance using information provided by participating GPs and LPs. Pairings are optimized based on investment strategy, sector focus, stage, geography, and the absence of an existing LP relationship. Each meeting is five minutes in length and conducted within a structured session, allowing participants to quickly assess fit and determine whether there is a basis for further discussion. Conversations initiated during the session are intended to continue at the opening reception and throughout the conference. For LPs, the format provides an efficient way to meet managers aligned with their mandates. For GPs, it offers direct access to allocators where there is credible potential for alignment. Session facilitated by: Lara Skwarek, Investment Principal, Invest Nova Scotia. Application Details will be shared with Invest Canada ’26 Attendee Registration Confirmation.
Participation requirements
  • You must hold a confirmed Invest Canada ’26 ticket to participate in this session. Applications from non-registered attendees will not be considered.
  • Only one senior representative per fund is permitted.
  • Priority will be given to funds that are actively fundraising and that register early.
  • This session is intended for investment funds and allocators. 
  • Lara Skwarek Investment Principal, Invest Nova Scotia

The East Coast Welcome, Presented by Invest Nova Scotia 

After a full afternoon of sessions and registration, Day 1 closes with a reception bringing together the IC26 community at the Halifax Convention Centre. The East Coast Welcome Reception is a natural transition point for attendees already on site, and an easy entry point for those arriving in Halifax for the first time. Presented by Invest Nova Scotia, it is an opportunity to connect with GPs, LPs, and industry leaders before the evening ahead.

Invest Canada Attendee Free Time

Location: Halifax

This open period is intentionally unprogrammed, giving participants the flexibility to use the time in ways that best support their conference objectives.

Many attendees use this window to schedule small group dinners, host investor or partner meetings, or continue conversations initiated earlier in the day. With the conference venue and hotels located in close proximity to Halifax’s downtown and waterfront, the evening offers easy access to restaurants and settings well-suited to informal business discussions.

No official Invest Canada ’26 programming is scheduled during this time.

After Hours on the Harbour, Presented by HarbourVest Partners (Canada)

Location: Offsite (Halifax)
Cable Wharf sits along the Halifax Harbour, one of the world’s largest natural harbours, and offers a setting that is unmistakably tied to the city’s history and character. After Hours on the Harbour brings delegates to one of Halifax’s most storied waterfront destinations for an informal close to Day 1. Presented by HarbourVest Partners (Canada), this is the place to extend the conversations of the day against the backdrop of the East Coast waterfront. Important Note: Pre-registration is not required for this session; however, name badges will be scanned at the door for entry.

Check-In Hours & Concierge Services: 7:30 AM-5:00 PM
Check-in: Second Floor, Ballroom Level (Halifax Convention Centre)
All sessions are in Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT)

Networking Breakfast, Presented by EDC (Export Development Canada)

Location: Ballroom Salon and Ballroom B1

The Day 2 Networking Breakfast provides an informal start to the conference program, giving attendees time to connect ahead of the morning sessions.

Breakfast will be served buffet-style, with seating available in adjacent ballrooms to allow participants to grab breakfast and continue conversations at their own pace. The format is designed to accommodate early meetings and informal networking before programming begins.

Welcome Remarks

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

The morning will open with welcome remarks to formally begin Day 2 of Invest Canada ’26.

The session will include an opening land acknowledgement, followed by brief remarks to set the context for the day’s programming and discussions.

  • Stephen Denton Partner, SeaFort Capital Inc. (IC26 Co-Chair)
  • Jeff White President and CEO, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) (IC26 Co-Chair)
  • Melanie Nadeau Chief Executive Officer, COVE

2026 CVCA Awards Presentations, Presented by PIXCELL – Leaders recruiting leaders®

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

The CVCA Awards are a cornerstone of Canada’s private capital community, recognizing the investments, leadership, and strategic decisions that have shaped the industry.

The awards highlight achievement across venture capital and private equity, including notable exits, global dealmaking, regional impact, and leadership that has contributed to the strength and credibility of Canada’s private capital ecosystem. Additional details will be announced soon.

Plenary Session 1 (Economic Outlook), presented by Alberta Enterprise Corporation (AEC)

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

This plenary will examine the economic outlook shaping private capital decision-making, including the forces influencing growth, inflation and rates, capital formation, and investor confidence.

Session details, including speakers and format, will be announced soon.ball

Trade Policy and Industrial Capacity, Presented by KALOS LLP

Location: Ballroom B2-B3
Trade policy is now affecting capital decisions directly. Tariffs and industrial policy are showing up in deal economics, cost structures, and decisions about where investment can scale. This plenary session focuses on how trade and tariff policy is influencing investment decisions and Canada’s positioning beyond the U.S. market. The discussion will look at how Canada is deepening trade and investment relationships across a broader set of markets, with Europe as a central reference point, and how those relationships are affecting capital flows and industrial capacity. Industry perspectives will keep the discussion practical. The discussion will focus on costs and timelines, and how those factors are influencing capital decisions.
  • Hon. Dominic LeBlanc Minister of Internal Trade, Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy
  • Eric de Montgolfier CEO, Invest Europe
  • Mackenzie Regent Managing Partner, Kalos LLP
  • Lissa Bjerkelund Vice President & Head of Investments, Export Development Canada (EDC)

Networking Break

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

VC Breakout Session 1 (Government as an LP)

Location: Argyle Suite A1

This VC-focused breakout will examine the role of government as a limited partner, with a focus on how public capital intersects with market dynamics.

Session details, including speakers and format, will be announced soon.

PE Breakout Session 1 (Value Creation), Presented by BDO

Location: Argyle Suite A3
This PE-focused breakout will centre on value creation in the current market environment. Session details, including speakers and format, will be announced soon.

Networking Lunch

Location: Ballroom Salon and Ballroom B1

The Networking Lunch provides a mid-day break for attendees to connect and continue conversations in an informal setting.

Lunch will be served buffet-style, with seating available in adjacent ballrooms to allow participants to meet, reconnect, and transition smoothly into the afternoon programming.

Secondaries and the New Liquidity Reality, Presented by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

Secondaries have moved to the centre of liquidity planning in venture markets.

Managers are integrating secondary transactions earlier in the fund lifecycle and structuring deals with liquidity pathways in mind. These transactions are influencing how portfolios are constructed and how ownership evolves over time, while also creating entry points for new investors.

Drawing on practitioner perspectives across venture investing and secondary markets, the discussion will examine how secondary transactions are being used in practice to manage liquidity and shape portfolio outcomes.

Networking Break, Presented by Roynat Capital

Location: Ballroom Salon and Ballroom B1

VC Breakout Session 2 (Private Credit and Venture Credit)

Location: Argyle Suite A1

This VC-focused breakout will centre on private and venture credit, considering their role within venture-backed companies and evolving capital structures.

Session details, including speakers and format, will be announced soon.

PE Breakout Session 2 (AI in Deal Origination)

Location: Argyle Suite A3

This PE-focused breakout will consider the use of AI in deal origination and sourcing within private equity.

Session details, including speakers and format, will be announced soon.

Networking Break

Location: Ballroom Salon and Ballroom B1

Plenary Session 4 (Navy and Space), Presented by COVE

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

This plenary will focus on navy and space-related themes, considering their relevance to Canada’s strategic and industrial landscape.

Session details, including speakers and format, will be announced soon.

Networking Break

Location: Ballroom Salon and Ballroom B1

Plenary Session 5 (AI), Presented by Davies

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

This plenary will examine how AI is being applied in investment and operating contexts, with a focus on tangible outcomes.

Session details, including speakers and format, will be announced soon.

Keith’s Kitchen Party, Presented by Fonds de solidarité FTQ 

Location: Offsite (Halifax)
Few venues are more deeply rooted in Halifax’s identity than Alexander Keith’s Brewery, home to one of Canada’s oldest operating breweries and a landmark of the city’s historic waterfront district. Keith’s Kitchen Party brings attendees together for an evening that celebrates the East Coast tradition of good company and warm hospitality. This is an opportunity to step away from the formal programming and connect with fellow attendees in a setting that has been part of Halifax’s story since 1820. Early arrivals will receive a special keepsake to mark the occasion. Important Note: Pre-registration is not required for this session; however, name badges will be scanned at the door for entry.

Check-In Hours & Concierge Services: 7:00 AM-11:00 AM
Check-in: Second Floor, Ballroom Level (Halifax Convention Centre)
All sessions are in Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT)

Invest Canada ’26 Morning Guided Group Run

The Morning Guided Group Run offers delegates an active start to Day 3 before the final sessions begin. Attendees will meet in the lobby of the Sutton Place Hotel before heading out as a group. Additional details including route, distance, and duration will be announced soon. This event is open to all registered delegates.

Meeting location and additional details will be shared in advance of the conference.

Networking Breakfast

Location: Ballroom Salon and Ballroom B1

The Networking Breakfast provides an informal start to the final day of Invest Canada ’26, allowing attendees to connect ahead of the morning programming.

Breakfast will be served buffet-style, with seating available to accommodate informal meetings and conversation.

Day 3 Welcome Remarks

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

Plenary Session 6 (Major Projects), Presented by NBIF (New Brunswick Innovation Foundation)

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

This plenary will focus on major projects and their role in Canada’s economic and investment landscape, with attention to how regional initiatives align with national priorities.

Session details, including speakers and format, will be announced soon.

Plenary Session 7 (Defence and Dual-Use), Presented by BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada)

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

This plenary will focus on defence and dual-use investment, examining how capital is being deployed in areas with both commercial and strategic applications.

Session details, including speakers and format, will be announced soon.

Networking Break, Presented by KPMG in Canada

Location: Ballroom Salon and Ballroom B1

Plenary Session 8, Presented by McInnes Cooper

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

This keynote will offer a forward-looking address relevant to the current environment.

Session details, including speakers and format, will be announced soon.

IC26 Closing Remarks

Location: Ballroom B2-B3

The conference will conclude with closing remarks, reflecting on the discussions and insights from Invest Canada ’26 and the connections formed over the course of the event.

The session may also include announcements relevant to the broader CVCA and Canadian private capital community. Additional details will be announced soon.