CVCA has announced that Halifax, Nova Scotia will host the 2026 edition of its flagship annual conference, Invest Canada, from May 26 to 28. The news was shared by CVCA Chief Executive Officer Kim Furlong at the close of Invest Canada 2025 in Calgary.
This return to Halifax recognizes the region’s expanding influence and growing significance within Canada’s innovation and private capital ecosystem.
The CVCA is also pleased to welcome COVE as a presenting sponsor for Invest Canada 2026. Headquartered in Halifax, COVE is an internationally recognized hub for ocean innovation and will be instrumental in showcasing the city’s strengths to the national private capital community. Additional sponsors are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Speaking about the decision, Kim Furlong noted that Halifax is more than a scenic backdrop for the annual conference. It is a symbol of how far Atlantic Canada has come in terms of investment readiness, innovation capacity, and scale-up potential. She said the CVCA looks forward to partnering with COVE and other ecosystem leaders to deliver a memorable and meaningful event.
Atlantic Canada has seen growing investment momentum over the past several years. The region has attracted significant venture capital, produced globally competitive startups, and is drawing increasing private equity interest across a diverse range of industries including ocean technology, life sciences, health innovation, and industrial services.
Major investment milestones include Verafin’s acquisition by Nasdaq for USD $2.75 billion, one of the largest technology exits in Canadian history. Halifax’s ABK Biomedical secured USD $30 million to advance its novel cancer treatment technologies. Companies like CoLab Software and Mysa Smart Thermostats, both based in St. John’s, have raised multi-million-dollar rounds and continue to expand across North America. Kraken Robotics also completed a $71.8 million raise on the TSX Venture Exchange to support the growth of its marine technology platform.
Government and institutional support has played a critical role in driving this progress. Organizations including NBIF, BDC Capital, and Invest Nova Scotia have helped build a resilient early-stage ecosystem while strengthening the pipeline for growth-stage investment. COVE, in particular, has been central to building global-facing ocean tech capacity out of Halifax.
The CVCA will announce co-chairs and members of the Invest Canada 2026 planning committee later this year. The agenda will reflect a mix of national market insight, global investment themes, and regionally grounded programming. Halifax’s research strengths, scale-up potential, and livability make it a strategic host city for the private capital community.
With rising interest in Atlantic Canada among both venture investors and private equity firms, this is the right city at the right time. Invest Canada 2026 will allow the private capital industry to experience firsthand the energy, ambition, and opportunity that define the region today.
More information about registration, program content, and partnerships will be shared in the coming months on CVCA Central and via CVCA’s LinkedIn channel. For sponsorship opportunities and general inquiries, contact the CVCA team.
