Seed to Exit: Ontopical and SOVRA

Building a successful company is one challenge. Navigating a successful exit is another.

For this Seed to Exit session, InterGen is bringing together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders for a candid conversation on what it takes to build toward acquisition — from early strategic decisions to the realities of the transaction process and what happens after the deal closes.

This discussion will feature Clayton Feick, former CEO of Ontopical, who led the Calgary-based AI company through its acquisition by SOVRA, a KKR-backed GovTech platform. The conversation will be facilitated by Michael Grantmyre, Partner at Osler, who advised on the transaction, and will also include Arden Tse, an early Ontopical investor from Accelerate Funds, bringing the investor perspective on building companies that are positioned for strong outcomes.

Discussion themes will include:

• Knowing the game you are playing — and how that shapes strategy from day one
• Developing a deep understanding of the problem you are solving and the customers you serve
• Understanding market dynamics and what separates incremental innovation from truly disruptive opportunities
• How different types of capital shape company trajectory and decision-making
• Making intentional leadership decisions as companies grow and evolve
• The broader impact successful exits can have on the local innovation ecosystem

Designed for founders, operators, and investors, this session offers a practical look at how companies position themselves for meaningful outcomes — and what leaders should be thinking about long before a deal is on the table.