The Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA) has announced that Halifax will host the 2026 edition of its annual conference, Invest Canada, from May 26 to 28.

New Brunswick Innovation Foundation CEO Jeff White, who was recently appointed to the CVCA board, will be the official host of the conference. 

This return to Halifax recognizes the region’s expanding influence and growing significance within Canada’s innovation and private capital ecosystem, the group said in a press release. 

Dartmouth-based marine innovation hub COVE will be a presenting sponsor for the event and will be key to showcasing the city’s strengths to the national private capital community, the group said.

 CVCA Chief Executive Officer Kim Furlong said Halifax is a symbol of how far Atlantic Canada has come in terms of investment readiness, innovation capacity, and scale-up potential.

The region has attracted significant venture capital, produced globally competitive startups, and is drawing increasing private equity interest across a diverse range of industries including ocean technology, life sciences, health innovation, and industrial services. 

Major investment milestones include Verafin’s acquisition by Nasdaq for USD $2.75 billion, one of the largest technology exits in Canadian history. Halifax’s ABK Biomedical secured USD $30 million to advance its novel cancer treatment technologies. Companies like CoLab Software and Mysa Smart Thermostats, both based in St. John’s, have raised multi-million-dollar rounds and continue to expand across North America. Kraken Robotics also completed a $71.8 million raise on the TSX Venture Exchange last year to support the growth of its marine technology platform. 

Organizations including NBIF and Invest Nova Scotia have helped build a resilient early-stage ecosystem while strengthening the pipeline for growth-stage investment. 

The event will reflect a mix of national market insight, global investment themes, and regionally grounded programming.