Industry Playbooks

The core steps (validate, prove, fund, launch, scale) are the same everywhere. What changes is the evidence investors expect, the revenue model and the main risks. Use this page to tailor your approach.

Software, SaaS and AI

• Revenue models: subscription, usage-based, licences.
• Proof investors want: monthly recurring revenue growth, churn, CAC payback, gross margin above ~70%, security posture.
• Typical funding path: founders and grants, then angels and pre-seed funds, then seed and Series A.
• Main risks: distribution, dependence on a few customers or a platform, fast-moving competitors.

Health, medtech and life sciences

• Revenue models: device sales, software subscriptions, licensing, services.
• Proof investors want: clinical or pilot evidence, regulatory pathway (Health Canada, FDA), reimbursement logic.
• Typical funding path: research grants and non-dilutive funds, specialist angels and funds, strategic partners.
• Main risks: long timelines, approvals, adoption by clinicians and payers.

Consumer, retail and e-commerce

• Revenue models: direct sales, subscriptions, wholesale, marketplace fees.
• Proof investors want: repeat purchase rate, contribution margin after marketing, brand momentum, supply chain control.
• Typical funding path: founders, pre-orders, small angels, revenue-based financing, then seed funds or strategic investors.
• Main risks: acquisition cost inflation, inventory, returns, platform dependency.

Hardware, manufacturing and industrial

• Revenue models: product sales, equipment-as-a-service, licensing.
• Proof investors want: working prototype, unit cost path, certifications, supply chain partners, first purchase orders.
• Typical funding path: grants and IRAP, angels and deep-tech seed funds, equipment financing, strategic partners.
• Main risks: scale-up cost, component supply, long sales cycles.

Services, trades and local businesses

• Revenue models: hourly or project fees, memberships, franchising.
• Proof investors and lenders want: stable margins per crew or location, repeat customers, documented systems.
• Typical funding path: founders, small business loans, equipment financing, partners; equity mainly if the model can replicate or franchise.
• Main risks: owner dependence, hiring and utilization.

Real estate, construction and proptech

• Revenue models: rents, development margins, software or marketplace fees.
• Proof investors want: site control, permits, pre-leases or pre-sales, construction budget and contingency.
• Typical funding path: equity partners plus construction and mortgage debt; venture capital for proptech software.
• Main risks: interest rates, approvals, cost overruns.

Food, beverage and agtech

• Revenue models: retail and food-service sales, contracts, equipment or software.
• Proof investors want: retail velocity, margins at scale, certifications, repeat orders.
• Typical funding path: founders, grants, regional agencies, angels, strategic CPG investors.
• Main risks: shelf-space, commodity prices, working capital.

Cleantech, waste, recycling and circular economy

• Revenue models: tipping or gate fees, product sales, environmental credits, licensing, EPC and services.
• Proof investors want: feedstock contracts, offtake agreements, TRL evidence, pilot data, permit pathway, life-cycle emissions benefit.
• Typical funding path: grants and SR&ED, specialist climate funds and strategics, then project finance for the first commercial plant.
• Main risks: scale-up, permitting, commodity and credit prices, subsidy dependence.

Social enterprise and non-profit-led ventures

• Revenue models: earned revenue, grants, contracts, blended finance.
• Proof funders want: measurable outcomes, community partners, financial sustainability.
• Typical funding path: foundations and government programs, impact investors, social finance.
• Main risks: grant dependence, measuring impact credibly.

Ready to find funders for your sector? Use the Investor Finder and funding matcher.