On the TechTO stage ×1
First seen on the TechTO stage in 2026. Every talk is searchable — ask the archive about Lucas ↗
In their words
the kind of barrier to entry to building a company is a lot lower, which is amazing, but that presents all types of risk around commoditization
doubling down on what ultimately drives the success of early-stage companies, which is founders.
The whole slap an ARR SaaS model on something, like that's no longer the only way to do something.
Quick answers
What is Lucas Perlman's role?
Principal at StandUp Ventures. He introduced himself that way on stage and said he had been at the fund for about six years (TechTO Health Toronto stage, 28 September 2026, at 6:40). TechTO's event page for Health Toronto, 28 September 2026 (luma.com/health-toronto-september-28-2026), checked 2026-10-13, and the CIX Summit selection committee page, checked 2026-10-13, both give the same title.
What does StandUp Ventures invest in?
In his words on the Health Toronto stage, it is an early-stage, pre-seed and seed investor in companies led or co-led by women in Canada, and health is a big focus. He named Sprout Family, whose co-founder Suzanne Mason sat beside him, as a portfolio company.
What does he think AI changed for investors?
He said software can now be built overnight with far less capital, which lowers the barrier to starting a company and raises the risk of commoditization. His fund's answer is to put more weight on founders: unique insight into the problem and credibility in the field (TechTO Health Toronto stage, 28 September 2026).
What does he want founders to think about earlier?
Pricing and go-to-market. He told the panel that putting a recurring-revenue software model on a product is no longer the only way to sell, and may be the weaker one, and that his fund is glad to see early founders with an aptitude for commercial design (TechTO Health Toronto stage, 28 September 2026, at 9:18).