Hosted at the Shangri-La Hotel in Toronto by the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI), and presented by Roynat Capital Scotiabank, Canada’s CEO Summit 2025 features private CEO dining experiences, CEO peer-group discussions, and essential industry briefings to keep Canada’s best scale-up CEOs at the top of their game.
CCI’s annual two-day retreat of 150 of Canada’s top scale-up CEOs focuses on leadership development, what it takes to build globally successful companies, and how homegrown firms can fuel Canada’s long-term economic prosperity.
Founded by CEOs in 2015, the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is a member-based organization reshaping how governments across Canada think about innovation policy, and supporting homegrown scale-ups to drive prosperity. CCI is proud to represent over 150 of Canada's fastest-growing companies, and bring together at our signature events the entrepreneurs and policy-makers shaping Canada’s impact on the global innovation economy.
Roynat has a rich history as both a lender and investor with expertise in providing innovative long-term capital solutions for mid-sized companies through the use of senior term, subordinated debt, as well as mezzanine capital and common share equity. Roynat is proud to return as the Presenting Sponsor for Canada's CEO Summit, and is committed to the long-term growth and prosperity of Canada's high-growth innovation sector.
Hosted by CCI’s co-founders Jim Balsillie and John Ruffolo, Canada's CEO Summit gathers Canada's top chief executives for three days of unrivalled networking, dealmaking, and advice sharing about building powerful companies and securing long-term economic prosperity for Canada. You’ll be in great company with our curated guest list of entrepreneurs, change makers, and innovators from across Canada’s vibrant tech sector.
Canada’s CEO Summit starts with an evening cocktail reception on September 17, followed by ten private dinners at Toronto's top restaurants. Thursday begins with a networking breakfast, then a full day of insightful discussions and audience Q&As. In the evening, the conversation continues with a investors and innovators group dinner.
Canada's CEO Summit brings together executives from the nation's fastest-growing companies. It serves as a platform for sharing stories and advice, fostering business partnerships, and contributing to public discussions on innovation policy in Canada. This intimate gathering encourages candid conversations about scaling global businesses from Canada and addresses the challenges innovators face in accessing talent, capital, and customers in the 21st-century economy.
Canada's CEO Summit is an exclusive, invite-only event that brings together the top leaders of the country’s fastest-growing, technology-driven companies, along with a select group of investors, advisors, and partners. It offers a unique opportunity to network, strategize, and build business partnerships that help Canadian companies scale-up globally.
On the first night of the CEO Summit, following a private cocktail reception, CEOs disperse to attend one of twelve private CEO dinners hosted throughout the city. Each restaurant has been selected for its culinary achievements and will set a high-bar for the conversation that will follow.
Jim Balsillie, retired co-CEO and Chairman of BlackBerry and co-founder and Chair of CCI, will deliver a State of the Innovation Economy address. This will be followed by a special presentation on the State of the Markets and Deal Flow in Canada, presented by our partner, Roynat Capital Scotiabank.
Throughout the day, we’ll bring the group together for two main discussions and also break out into smaller sessions. For the group conversations, we’re gathering experts and CEOs to engage in focused dialogues on “Financial Strategies and Economic Resilience for Scaling Companies” and “Harnessing AI and Advanced Technologies for Global Leadership.”
The smaller breakout groups will cover a range of topics, including Leadership and Motivation, Employee Performance and Retention, Strategic Planning and Execution, Sales and Marketing Excellence, Effective Communication and Meetings, Time Management and Productivity, Product Development and Innovation, Financial Management and Fundraising, Government Relations and Networking, as well as Work-Life Balance and Empathy.
The CEO Summit Dinner at Canada’s CEO Summit brings together the nation’s top innovators, investors, and policymakers for a special gathering. The evening will feature an on-stage conversation focusing on the future of Canada’s tax system, global economic trends, and the growing importance of CEOs understanding geopolitical forecasts.
In 2024, Canada's CEO Summit was hosted in historic Old Montréal and gathered 175 of Canada's top innovators and investors. The audience included the makers and shakers of Canada's innovation and business community, and a CEO-curated agenda focused on navigating high-growth businesses through uncertain economic times.