In a move that aligns with the federal government's renewed focus on national security, former defence minister Harjit Sajjan has co-founded a new defence technology startup. The company, Juno Industries Inc., aims to develop advanced autonomous systems to help secure Canadian sovereignty, with an initial focus on the strategically vital Arctic region.
Launching from Stealth with a Clear Mission
Based in Vancouver, Juno Industries was officially announced on Thursday by co-founders Harjit Sajjan and Hunter Scharfe. The company has been operating quietly since April 2025 and successfully closed a $3-million seed financing round in the fall. It currently employs a core team of 10 people from its single office.
The startup's primary mission is to create software for autonomous systems designed for both military and civilian use in high-consequence environments. The Arctic is its first priority, addressing what Sajjan calls a direct need to secure Canadian sovereignty. The vision is to build all-domain dual-use capabilities that serve both defence and commercial purposes.
Connecting Government Experience to Private Innovation
Harjit Sajjan, who serves as the company's executive chair, believes his extensive experience in the public sector will be a significant advantage. "Bringing that knowledge into the private sector will allow us to connect capability development directly to operational need, something I believe has been long disconnected," Sajjan stated in an interview.
He emphasized that since his time as minister of national defence, he has stressed the need for predictability and a clear path to strengthen Canada's military and defence sector. "We are now seeing the early foundations of that vision take shape," he added, expressing confidence in his team's talent and capital to advance innovation in Canada and among allied nations.
Timing Amid a Global Defence Spending Surge
The launch of Juno Industries coincides with a significant global increase in defence investment. In 2024, worldwide military expenditures reached a record US$2.7 trillion. Venture capital funding for defence tech has seen explosive growth, soaring to US$49 billion in 2025 from just US$7 billion a decade ago.
In Canada, the Carney government has committed nearly $82 billion to defence in its last budget, with $6.6 billion specifically earmarked for the country's defence industry. The government is also poised to release its Defence Industrial Strategy, which Defence Minister David McGuinty describes as a blueprint for "harnessing innovation."
Juno Industries hopes to secure a portion of these funds, including part of the $244 million recently announced for small-to-mid-sized dual-use and defence tech companies. The company's initial strategy is to prioritize contracts with the Canadian government and allied countries in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
CEO Hunter Scharfe indicated that the company will release more specific product details soon. He expressed hope that the forthcoming federal strategy will include a plan for accelerated capital deployment focused on defence innovation and research & development.
With plans to scale up both within Canada and internationally, Juno Industries will focus its recruitment efforts on attracting Canadian technical and defence experts, positioning itself at the intersection of national security needs and cutting-edge technological advancement.
