🔥 Big updates, founder insights & key takeaways from Canada’s new budget

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👥 Fanbase releases new app updates 

Fanbase has rolled out over 550 performance and reliability updates across iOS and Android. Making the app smoother and more stable for all users. The next phase of development will introduce a powerful new Recommendation Engine designed to enhance discovery, increase visibility, and boost creator earnings.

Invest in Fanbase | $13.2M Raised | 78% of target

👟Hettas investment update

Hettas has secured a second investment of $350K USD ($590K CAD) from lead investor Pelecanus Investments Ltd, citing the brand’s visionary leadership, innovative women’s footwear design, and commitment to supporting girls in sports.

Invest in Hettas | $91K Raised | 37% of target

📱Gander Socials shares a sneak peek!

Gander Socials is coming soon. The app isn’t public yet, but it will soon be in beta. A testament to what can be built with great community support.

Invest in Gander Social | $1.2M Raised | 85% of target

🔔 Alumni updates

🔵 joni is expanding to Australia and recently sent its team to the The Association for Cleaning & Facility Solutions show in Sydney to showcase its Canadian innovation. The company is now seeking distribution partners passionate about offering sustainable period care.

🇨🇦Little Canada was recognized at the 2025 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence as a finalist for Best Attraction in Ontario.

🌸Blossom Social is expanding their team!  Adding a new team member to help make investing more accessible, inclusive, and community-driven.

🤔 What’s on our minds

🇨🇦 Canada’s 2025 federal budget breakdown

The Canadian government’s 2025 budget lays out a plan for public investment, economic growth and fiscal discipline. It outlines the country’s main priorities and how government funds are allocated. 

Budget summary

The 2025 federal budget outlines $141 billion in new spending, balanced with $51 billion in program cuts and savings. At the same time, it plans roughly a total of $280 billion in capital/long‑term investments over the next five years. These investments are focused in key areas including housing, defence & security, infrastructure, and productivity and competitiveness.

To help pay for these investments, the government plans to cut  nearly 40,000 public-sector jobs by 2028–29 and targeted program savings. It aims to strengthen Canada’s economy while keeping the projected deficit at $78 billion for 2025–26 (roughly 2.5% of GDP). That’s lower than some economists predicted and keeps Canada in a strong fiscal position relative to its G7 peers.

Key Priorities:

• Infrastructure: $51 billion to fast-track transit, hospitals, and port projects.

• Defence: $81.8 billion over five years for the Canadian Armed Forces modernization.

• Housing, productivity, and competitiveness: Roughly $110–115 billion for projects designed to boost long-term economic growth.

• Corporate tax reform: Measures that cut the corporate tax rate to the lowest in the G7 and incentivize capital investment.

What It Could Mean for Investors

For retail investors, the budget signals a pivot from Trudeau-era social programs to a strategic industrial agenda. It’s designed to counter U.S. policy volatility, boost productivity, and strengthen national security.

Sectors to Watch:

• Technology and AI: Funding and tax incentives could fuel Canadian innovation hubs and attract global talent.

• Defence and Manufacturing: Defence modernization spending may benefit aerospace, cybersecurity, and advanced materials companies.

• Clean Energy and Infrastructure: Green projects and infrastructure investments could attract capital toward sustainable initiatives.

Cautions:

• Fiscal pressures: Even with low deficits, increased borrowing may lift government bond yields and pressure the loonie.

• Economic gaps: Some economists worry the budget doesn’t fully address housing challenges or shield Canada from U.S. tariffs.

Bottom Line

The Carney budget lays the foundation for Canada’s next chapter: innovation-driven, strategically invested, and fiscally mindful. For investors, the sectors to watch will likely be companies in tech, defence, infrastructure, and green energy. Meanwhile fixed-income investors and currency traders will want to watch for potential volatility. Political hurdles remain, if Carney can’t secure additional votes from opposition MPs, Canadians could be headed back to the polls sooner than expected.

🎙️ Hear from our latest founder feature

Fanbase: The new mainstream for the social economy with Isaac Hayes III

Q: What sets Fanbase apart from other social platforms?

A: Fanbase is built for creator ownership. We don’t suppress reach or force users into an ad-based system, instead creators reach their full audience and earn through subscriptions, paywalled posts, and our in-app tipping feature. Unlike traditional platforms that profit from ads, Fanbase is a true rev-share model. We make money when creators make money.

Q: What kind of traction and growth have you seen so far?

A: We’ve grown to over 1.4 million users, with installs up 68% year-over-year and engagement up 95%. Now, we’re scaling fast with new tools for creators and community features. This next phase of growth is all about deepening community, expanding our team with top talent from major social platforms, and continuing to build the future of the social economy.

Q: Why choose equity crowdfunding over traditional VC funding?

A: Honestly, it’s the biggest gift we’ve had as a company. Most social platforms are funded by the same small group of VCs who end up controlling the direction. We wanted to flip that model. By raising over $23M from 24,000 investors through StartEngine, we’ve given ownership back to the people who make Fanbase valuable: our users.

🎧 Want to listen to the full episode?

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