From Toronto to Tinseltown: Canada’s Must‑Watch Business Publications for Global Startups
Canadian startups are making waves. From AI breakthroughs in Vancouver to fintech wins in Toronto and gaming hits in Montreal, you’re proving Canada has what it takes to compete globally. But here’s the catch: building a great product isn’t enough. You need people to hear about it. National and regional media can put your story in front of investors, talent, and customers — fast.
By 2025, Canada’s media scene offers plenty of options. Big players like The Globe and Mail and BNN Bloomberg lead business news. Niche outlets like BetaKit dig into tech trends. Local papers, from Vancouver Sun to La Presse, spotlight regional stars. Each one can help you build credibility and open doors.
So, where do you start? How do you pitch your idea without wasting time or money? This guide breaks it down. You’ll learn which outlets matter most, how to craft a story that grabs attention, and why smart PR moves can grow your business. Let’s get your next win the coverage it deserves.
Start with the Big National Players
You might want to pitch every tech outlet you find. Don’t. Spreading yourself thin dilutes your message. Focus on Canada’s national business and tech heavyweights first.
The Globe and Mail sets the standard. Its Report on Business section reaches decision-makers — bankers, venture capitalists, and CEOs. Land a feature here, and you signal you’re worth watching. Say your startup just launched a tool that cuts shipping costs for retailers. Pitch it as a game-changer for Canadian e-commerce, and you’ve got their attention.
BNN Bloomberg thrives on real-time financial news. Its audience tracks markets and money. Announce a funding round or a big partnership here, and it’s not just news — it’s a milestone. Picture this: your clean-tech startup secures $5 million. A BNN Bloomberg spot shows investors you’re moving the needle.
Financial Post dives deeper. It loves profiles that position founders as leaders. If you’re rethinking how small businesses borrow money, they might feature your journey from idea to impact.
Tech-focused? BetaKit is your go-to. They cover funding, launches, and trends with precision. A profile here reaches industry insiders and often catches the eye of bigger outlets. When my friend’s startup got a BetaKit mention for its AI hiring tool, she saw investor emails pour in within days.
Then there’s The Logic. It connects tech to policy. If your startup uses AI to improve healthcare or tackles climate goals, pitch it here. They’ll frame your work as more than a product — it’s a solution. Agencies like 9 Figure Media know how to shape these stories. They help you hit the right notes for each outlet’s readers.
Tap into Major Dailies and Regional Papers
National coverage is great, but don’t sleep on daily newspapers. They’re trusted voices in their communities.
In Ontario, Toronto Star draws millions. Its business pages love human angles. Got a startup founded by immigrants? Solving a local problem like Toronto’s housing crunch? Pitch it. They’ll eat it up.
National Post leans bold. It features startups that shake things up. If you’re challenging old-school industries — like a platform disrupting real estate sales — they might give you the stage.
Quebec’s unique. La Presse and Le Devoir demand bilingual pitches with cultural ties. If your app serves French-speaking users or you’ve got roots in Montreal, play that up. A friend pitched his language-learning tool to La Presse with a Quebec-first angle. They ran a full feature.
Out west, Vancouver Sun and Calgary Herald focus on regional strengths. Vancouver loves sustainability and tech. Calgary digs energy solutions. A solar startup I know landed a Vancouver Sun piece by tying its tech to B.C.’s green goals. Suddenly, local investors were calling.
Here’s the trick: target papers where you’ve got a foothold — offices, customers, or pilots. A regional win builds steam. It’s a stepping stone to national buzz without stretching your budget.
Don’t Ignore Niche Outlets
Specialized publications pack a punch in 2025. They reach audiences who care about your field.
Corporate Knights leads on sustainability. If your startup cuts waste or aims for net-zero, pitch them. A piece here positions you as a leader in ethical business. Think of a company recycling old tech into new gadgets — perfect fit.
Strategy is for marketers. It dives into campaigns and results. If your growth comes from clever outreach, share your numbers here. Media in Canada serves PR pros and media buyers. Show how your earned media drove sales, and you might spark bigger coverage — think Get Featured in Business Insider vibes.
Podcasts and newsletters shine too. The League of Innovators podcast puts you in front of eager listeners. Contagious newsletter drops your story straight to inboxes. A startup I advised got on a tech podcast. Two weeks later, a national outlet picked up the thread.
For B2B, IT World Canada targets enterprise tech. If your software streamlines corporate workflows, they’ll validate it for decision-makers. 9 Figure Media excels at finding these niche fits. They build outreach lists that hit readers who can buy or back you.
Build a Story That Sticks
Getting coverage isn’t enough. You need a story that lands. Reporters want news with impact — data tied to real outcomes.
A $10 million funding announcement? Solid start. But tie it to something bigger — like bringing clean water to rural Canada — and it’s unforgettable. Ask yourself: what’s your Canadian hook? Are you hiring across provinces? Fixing supply-chain headaches? Play up those angles.
Show results. Maybe your app boosted small business sign-ups by 30% in Canada. Or a pilot saved a health agency $50,000. Numbers like that turn vague claims into proof. When I helped a startup pitch its logistics tool, we shared how it cut delivery times by 20% in Alberta. Editors jumped on it.
Online stats help too. More Canadian website visitors? Higher social engagement in key cities? Track it. 9 Figure Media packages these wins into journalist-friendly briefs. It saves reporters time and gets your story out faster.
Stretch Your PR Budget Smartly
PR can feel pricey, but you don’t need a huge budget. Start small and strategic.
Pick three to five outlets that match your goals. Got a sustainability angle? Hit Corporate Knights and Vancouver Sun. Fintech? Try BNN Bloomberg and BetaKit. Tailor each pitch to the journalist — mention their recent work. It shows you’ve done your homework.
Build real connections. Share their articles online. Meet them at industry events — many are hybrid now. Offer a demo or quick chat about your work. No flashy gifts needed — just be genuine.
Use tools like Muck Rack to follow coverage and beats. Put together a media kit: sharp visuals, short bios, clear story ideas. When a chance pops up, you’re ready.
Measure what works. Check traffic spikes after a story runs. Count new leads or social mentions. This data proves PR’s worth to investors and sharpens your next move.
If it’s too much, hire help part-time. 9 Figure Media offers focused support — templates, strategies, and local know-how — without breaking the bank. They help businesses land guaranteed spots on outlets like Forbes, Bloomberg, Business Insider, and WSJ. That credibility? It drives sales.
Why PR Matters for Your Reputation
Your online reputation shapes how people see you. A story in a trusted Canadian outlet boosts your profile and builds trust. That’s where PR placement boost online reputation comes in. Coverage in The Globe and Mail or BetaKit tells investors and customers you’re legit.
Even a nod from the Houston Chronicle can add flair. It shows your story crosses borders. Aim high — Get Featured in Business Insider — and you’ll grab global eyes. 9 Figure Media makes this happen. Their track record with top outlets lifts your startup from unknown to unmissable.
Quick Tips to Remember
- “A local win can spark national buzz. Pitch where your roots are strongest.”
- “Fewer, sharper pitches beat a flood of generic ones. Focus beats volume.”
Visualize Your Plan
Think of a tiered map. At the top: national outlets like The Globe and Mail for funding news. Middle tier: regional papers like Calgary Herald for local impact. Bottom: niche spots like IT World Canada for industry cred. Match your story — funding, green goals, or policy wins — to the right level. It’s a fast way to pick your targets.
Navigating Canada’s media isn’t hard once you know the players. National outlets give you reach. Regional papers root you locally. Niche publications hit your exact audience. Shape a story with a Canadian twist, back it with results, and pitch smart. You’ll get noticed — without burning cash.
Need a boost? 9 Figure Media can guide you. They’ve got the playbook to land you in top-tier outlets and turn coverage into growth. Your startup’s ready. Let’s get it heard.
