De-Risking Deep Tech Investment in Canada: Strategic Insights from a Commercialization Leader

Source: Omid Sadeghi | · LINKEDIN · | November 1, 2025

As a commercialization expert and tech entrepreneur, I have encountered the unique barriers facing Canadian deep tech ventures, especially in raising capital. Sectors like robotics and clean energy are high-reward but high-risk, often requiring patient capital and specialized knowledge. By expanding existing programs and adopting proven global strategies, Canada can create a supportive environment that attracts sustained investment and mitigates risks in this essential sector.

1. Scale Co-Investment Programs to Spread Risk

Raising capital for deep tech in Canada is challenging, as many investors view these projects as too risky due to long development timelines. Co-investment programs, pooling resources from public and private sectors, help distribute financial burden and reduce individual risk exposure.

Global Insight: The @European Investment Fund (EIF) attracts private capital to high-risk sectors by sharing exposure with private investors. This model has proven effective in fostering deep tech across Europe.

Lesson for Canada: Ontario’s OCI Market Readiness Co-Investment Fund has shown how this approach can work locally. Expanding it to a national co-investment network with BDC could enable other provinces, like Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, to benefit from shared risk. This would attract diverse investors to enter deep tech.

2. Enhance Due Diligence Resources and Create a National Investor Education Program

Investing in deep tech requires understanding technology readiness, market viability, and regulatory challenges. Structured due diligence support helps investors make informed choices in these high-stakes fields.