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NACO Academy PodcastAuthor: National Angel Capital Organization
The NACO Podcast by the National Angel Capital Organization leverages the collective wisdom of 4,000 angel investors that have invested 1.8 billion into 2,000 companies. Join us on a journey into the depths of the innovation economy and bring you the knowledge you need to build, grow and scale at the intersection of innovation, capital and entrepreneurship. Learn more about the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) at www.nacocanada.com Language: en-us Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Investing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Canada's Early-Stage Capital Architecture: Senate Banking Committee Testimony with Claudio Rojas, CEO of NACO
Episode 3
Wednesday, 20 May, 2026
On April 30, 2026, Claudio Rojas, CEO of the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO), testified before the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy as part of its study on access to credit and capital markets for small and medium-sized enterprises.In this episode, Claudio sets out a structural argument for why Canada's innovation outcomes are decided at the formation stage of company creation, and what that means for federal capital strategy. He addresses the compounding effects of capital gaps across the seed, Series A, and Series B stages, the role of angel-backed companies in government procurement, and the case for a Canadian national investment tax credit modelled on the United Kingdom's Enterprise Investment Scheme.The episode also includes Claudio's exchanges with senators on women angel investors and the role of representation in the early-stage ecosystem, the democratization of investment and the educational role of angel networks, and the limits of government-led capital allocation.He appeared on the panel alongside Jim Balsillie, Co-Founder and Chair of the Council of Canadian Innovators.About the witness: Claudio Rojas is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO), Canada's national network of more than 4,000 angel investors and over 100 member organizations. NACO members have invested more than $1.8 billion into over 2,000 Canadian companies, including Wealthsimple, Verafin, Hopper, and Kepler Communications. Claudio is a CFA Charterholder, holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School, JD from Western University, and the ICD.D designation.NACO is Canada's professional association for angel investors and early-stage investment organizations. Learn more at https://nacocanada.comThe full video of this testimony is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6wQWnCrB5FU
