Rachel Zimmer (CEO, Simple Ventures): Why is Canada Is Producing Fewer Entrepreneurs?

Rachel Zimmer (CEO, Simple Ventures): Why is Canada Is Producing Fewer Entrepreneurs?

From Mission Critical with Lance Chung by GLORY Podcast Network

March 27, 2026 · 49 min · Season 17 · Episode 135

About this episode

Rachel Zimmer discusses the decline of entrepreneurship in Canada and the factors contributing to it.

Canada has world-class talent, capital, and infrastructure—so why are we producing fewer entrepreneurs than we did 20 years ago? In this episode of Mission Critical , Lance sits down with Rachel Zimmer, co-founder and CEO of Simple Ventures, to unpack the paradox at the heart of Canada’s innovation economy. From declining entrepreneurship rates to the realities of “brain drain,” Zimmer offers a candid, systems-level look at what’s broken—and what it will take to fix it. Drawing from her experience as a founder, investor, and venture builder, Zimmer challenges the way we define innovation today, arguing that it’s not just about technology but about creating real value, jobs, and durable businesses. She also breaks down why the traditional venture capital model doesn’t work for most founders, and how Simple Ventures is rethinking company creation from the ground up. At its core, this episode asks a bigger question: What kind of country does Canada want to be—and who is willing to build it? Key Takeaways & Highlights Why Canada has 100,000 fewer entrepreneurs than 20 years ago (and what’s driving the decline). The real reasons behind brain drain. How Rachel Zimmer defines…

People in this episode

Host: Lance Chung

Guest: Rachel Zimmer

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Simple Ventures

Places: Canada

More episodes of Mission Critical with Lance Chung

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Mission Critical with Lance Chung podcast page.