Presented by North Guide, our year-end “What I Learned” series asked BetaKit newsmakers to share insights, ideas and lessons from the year in tech.
It was a mic-drop moment. In May 2024, Jocelyne Murphy sat in front of the CEOs and founders of some of the biggest Canadian tech companies, and described the challenges faced by her generation of young entrepreneurs.
“People are leaning in.”
Jocelyne Murphy
From the hiring and firing practices of some technology companies to the ongoing realities of remote work and a lack of shared space, Murphy described the environment in which young people were struggling to build. To support the next cohort of entrepreneurs, she said that the sector needed to show up and create space.
Here, Murphy describes what she learned from that moment, and what happened next.
What I learned
For me, 2024 has emerged as the year of Canadians stepping up.
In May, I spoke at BetaKit’s first Town Hall. The room was charged with energy – tech leaders had travelled across the country to be part of the next wave of entrepreneurial momentum after years of pandemic-induced disconnection.
I was struck by how quickly this group of people could mobilize when presented with a shared challenge. As I sat in that room, I felt a glimmer of Canada going for gold.
I’ve felt it before. As a lifelong hockey player, I’ve grown up in an ecosystem that routinely produces international champions.
At age four, kids are strapped head-to-toe in padding and wobble onto the ice. They build resiliency by falling over and over again.
Players study the game intensely, shooting pucks in their driveways and spending early mornings perfecting their skating. Teammates, tournaments, and tryouts challenge players to better themselves each time they step on the ice.
Thousands of coaches volunteer their nights and weekends to help kids navigate wins and losses, while referees support competition by ensuring safety and fairness.
Most importantly, robust infrastructure exists to support players at all levels, from house league to the big leagues.
When Canadian hockey teams go for gold, it’s about more than individual ambition. It’s the result of a culture that builds champions and inspires them to win.
“I feel a groundswell coming—of entrepreneurs, peers, supporters, infrastructure, coaches, community, and culture.”
In the months following BetaKit’s Town Hall, I began seeing a world where Canadians applied this communal culture of going for gold to supporting our young tech talent. It got me VERY excited.
Over the summer, my calls to action were heard – incubators opened their doors, companies reformed hiring processes, leaders continued to prioritize housing affordability and the cost of living, and industry veterans leaned in to coach and advocate for early-stage entrepreneurs.
I’ve loved seeing Canadians cheer for young people no matter where in the world they choose to develop their talent, just like we do when our up-and-coming hockey players get drafted to international teams.
Most importantly, there’s been a growing recognition that the best way to support top performers in Canada is by nurturing an ecosystem of competitors and collaborators.
Young leaders across the country spent 2024 strengthening those communities.
New Demos took Toronto by storm, under the leadership of Vin Verma and Tommy Trinh.
Shopify’s Builder Sundays set a sterling example of how established companies can support the next generation of founders and creatives.
In Kitchener, Builders Club and Jesse Rodgers provide a place for people to “Just F’n build.”
I’ve seen Toki Hossain championing Vancouver and Evan McCann championing Calgary.
And through Socratica, young people are exploring their passion projects in Canadian cities including Waterloo, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, London, Kingston, Victoria, Halifax, Hamilton, Guelph, and Calgary. On March 19th, 2025, the Socratica Symposium will put on a display of Canadian creativity, hosted (fittingly) in a Waterloo hockey arena.
There’s far more interest in community building than current infrastructure can support.
If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that when called into action, Canadians are able to tap into that early-morning, volunteer-hockey-coach enthusiasm. We show up for our team when it counts.
I’m excited to make Canada a place young people are eager to build their futures, and I’m excited to join the team of Canadians going for gold.
If your organization is getting stuck or you’re not sure where to start in tackling your innovation challenges, give NorthGuide a call. Our systems approach and deep bench of experts can help your organization create a big impact in 2025.
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