Just wanted to back what zmitri said about Kitchener/Waterloo being the closest to SV in Canada. I went to school at the University of Waterloo, spent 2 years i

Just wanted to back what zmitri said about Kitchener/Waterloo being the closest to SV in Canada. I went to school at the University of Waterloo, spent 2 years in Seattle, spent a year in Toronto, and have now been in Mountain View for 2 months going through YC. My general conclusions are: CONS: -Canada thinks smaller than SV (not as open to big ideas) -BDC is a big player when it comes to Canadian money, we've had some interactions with them and for the most part they run more like a bank/government organization than they do a VC. They are getting better, but are just not quite there yet. In the end we actually turned down money from them. -The accelerators there are trying...but they are a far way off from being of the same quality as some of the ones down here -When it comes to raising money you normally get a lower valuation and the terms aren't usually as founder friendly PROS -There are a few bigger players popping up in the Toronto/Kitchener scene that are really helping the culture and community there grow -It's cheaper and talent is easier to find (Waterloo produces some amazing talent) -There are a lot of government grants and tax incentives There are definitely people in the area worth meeting who are doing some exciting things, but the buzz and excitement and opportunities down here are still greater imo. I'm also partial to the West coast as a general lifestyle choice.