What does it really take to build and scale deep tech across borders?

Peggy Van de Plassche

What does it really take to build and scale deep tech across borders?
(Hint: It's not just capital or code.)

Last week’s event The Humans Behind the Next Wave—co-hosted by La French Tech Toronto, AAGEF Ontario, and CDL Paris—was packed with lived experience and straight talk. No hype, just hard truths.

Here are a few takeaways that stuck with me:

🔹 Startups are pain. Especially in AI and deep tech. 10+ year journeys with no shortcuts.
🔹 AI is not a strategy. The tech is everywhere—your differentiation needs to be clearer.
🔹 The most exciting breakthroughs are at the intersection of AI, hardware, and science.
🔹 Not all networks are worth it. Choose accelerators and ecosystems intentionally.
🔹 Global ambition requires global focus. Don’t try to be "generally good." Be exceptional at a few key things.
🔹 Big rounds ≠ smart money. Especially when operating costs kill your runway.

So many insights came from a conversation that felt like a strategy session for the future.

Thank you to the organizers, speakers, and attendees who made the evening so impactful.

📩 I wrote a deeper reflection in this week’s newsletter

Would love to hear your thoughts—what's resonating in your world right now?

#DeepTech #AI #Startups #Innovation #ValueCreation #TechAcrossBorders #FrenchTech #CDL #Strategy #Founders

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

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