🎯 New Investor Insights + Campaign Wins For Canadian Skincare

🔔 Your campaign updates feed

✨ KIIMA reached their raise target of $450,000!

Invest in KIIMA | $453K Raised | 101% of target

🔋 RheEnergise: Meet the founders!

Invest in RheEnergise | $3.24M Raised | 62% of target

🚁 AIRmarket investor webinar recording now out!

Invest in AIRmarket | $88K Raised | 35% of target

🔔 Alumni updates

🌸 Blossom Social is now live in 32 countries, including the UK, EU, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. This expansion makes Blossom accessible to U.S. and Canadian expats living abroad, so they can stay connected to their investment communities back home. See their post.

💪 VEGAIN is opening new doors, literally! Their new HQ in downtown Vancouver marks the beginning of their global journey. The space will serve as a creative hub, event venue, and soon, a retail and sampling storefront where the team can build community and bring the brand to life. See their post.

🚗 HOVR’s Coast-to-Coast Tour is gaining momentum! In just 6 days, they’ve covered over 4,400 km. Cruising in their HOVR car through the prairies, over the Rockies, and into sunny Vancouver, BC. Read their story here.

🤔 What’s on our minds

 🇨🇦 Canada First!

Canadian businesses and policymakers are bracing for another wave of tariffs as President Donald Trump signals a return to aggressive “America First” trade policies. This includes imposing tariffs up to 25% on Canadian exports such as steel, aluminum, autos, and energy products.

While economists warn of short-term pain, such as slashing GDP by roughly 2%, inflating consumer costs, and squeezing households. However, Canadian sentiment is shifting. A rise of the “Buy Canadian” movement, coupled with dismantling interprovincial trade barriers and pursuit of global partnerships, is building a path of resilience and economic self-reliance.

Key sectors could pivot toward opportunity:

• Domestic Manufacturing: As trade friction increases, the case for producing closer to home strengthens. Expect more investment in Canadian factories and regional supply chains.
  

• Clean Energy: Tariffs on traditional energy exports may speed up the pivot to renewables, battery tech, and green infrastructure.
  

• Agri-Food & Resources: Canada’s agricultural strength and raw materials could find new markets in Asia, Europe, and within its own borders.

Strengthening International Partnerships

In response to U.S. trade tensions, Canada is actively deepening and expanding key international partnerships to diversify its economic ties:

• European Union: Building on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Canada is enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, and even defense procurement, reducing reliance on U.S. suppliers.

• Asia-Pacific Region: Through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Canada is expanding trade with fast-growing economies like Japan, Australia, and Vietnam, opening new markets for Canadian goods and resources.

• United Kingdom: Post-Brexit, Canada is pursuing stronger bilateral ties with the UK, including negotiations for a free trade agreement that could open doors for financial services, technology, and agricultural exports.

• Mexico and Latin America: Reinforcing ties within North America beyond the U.S. by exploring opportunities under the revamped USMCA and new trade deals to expand export diversification.

Despite the intertwined nature of the U.S. & Canada trade relationship, with Canada supplies over 99% of its natural gas and a majority of its crude oil to the U.S. Analysts agree that by expanding international ties, Canada is not only protecting its economy from U.S. trade uncertainties but also positioning itself as a more connected, resilient, and influential player on the world trade stage.

Bottom Line:

Trump’s tariff threat could catalyze short-term disruptions, but may also ignite a strategic pivot toward diversified trade ties, local empowerment, and a more resilient Canadian economy. Investors should watch for companies that are evolving their supply chains, reducing U.S. exposure, and embracing new export markets.

📌 FrontFundr Bulletin

🚗 HOVR Reached the West Coast!

The FrontFundr team had the pleasure of meeting with HOVR’s Founder and CEO, Harrison Amit, and CMO, Christian Alicpala, during their stop in Vancouver, BC. It was exciting to hear firsthand about the incredible momentum they’ve built and the communities they’ve connected with across Canada.

We’re excited to watch HOVR’s journey as they continue to build on their mission of returning 100% of rideshare fares to drivers and keeping earnings in Canadian communities. Stay tuned for news on HOVR’s upcoming funding round!

🦋 The Holt Xchange’s Insight On The Future Canadian Venture Capital

In a compelling new piece, Jan Christopher Arp, Founding Managing Partner at The Holt Xchange, outlines Canada’s lack of risk capital and steps we can take to improve the venture landscape—including how equity crowdfunding can help revitalize Canada’s venture market. He spotlights FrontFundr’s role in this movement, having raised over $258M from 28,000+ investors, but also calls out Canada’s restrictive crowdfunding rules compared to the U.S.

Drawing on his experience as a two-time FrontFundr alum, Arp argues it’s time to open new capital channels and give more Canadians the chance to invest in innovation. Read the full article here.