In this episode of Tank Talks, host Matt Cohen sits down with Paul Ziadé, CEO and co-founder of North Vector Dynamics, a Calgary-based company building full-spectrum precision missile systems for Canada and its allies. A former tenured professor at the University of Calgary turned defence entrepreneur, Paul brings a deeply personal and historically literate perspective to the Canadian defence landscape. He shares his family’s story of displacement from Lebanon and Armenia, and how that legacy of resilience informs his mission to build a sovereign missile capability for Canada.
Paul offers a frank assessment of Canada’s defence complacency, arguing that the culture of risk-aversion is “upstream of everything.” He explains why the obsession with “dual-use” investing is holding the country back, why pure-play defence innovation is critical, and how startups like his can deliver capability faster than the traditional 10-year procurement cycle. He also breaks down the massive opportunity presented by the Golden Dome NORAD modernization and why Canada must participate not just as a buyer, but as an active builder.
Whether you’re a defence founder navigating the Canadian ecosystem, an investor trying to understand the shift in risk capital, or a policy wonk watching the Arctic heat up, Paul Ziade delivers the kind of straight talk that cuts through the noise.
From Civil War to Canadian Soil (00:01:20)
Paul’s upbringing as the child of Lebanese-Armenian immigrants who fled civil war and genocide.
How his parents’ appreciation for Canada’s peace and rule of law instilled a deep sense of responsibility.
The household rule: “Laziness was never an option” , competitive soccer, piano, student government, and French schooling.
The Kennedy Space Center Spark (00:04:00)
How a grade 10 family trip to the Kennedy Space Center “lit the fuse” for his obsession with rocketry.
Touching the Saturn V and realizing what human ingenuity could achieve.
Why he needed a strong goal to anchor his focus and drive.
Academia to Entrepreneurship (00:05:38)
Why he left a tenured professorship after 10 years at the University of Calgary.
The mindset shift: moving from committee-driven, overthinking academic life to the velocity and action-mentality of startups.
How academia trained him to be a better communicator, but startup life gave him instant feedback on every decision.
The North Vector Vision (00:08:53)
The mission: precision missile systems on every continent protecting allies and Canada.
Full-spectrum air defence , from low-and-slow drones to hypersonic threats.
Assembling the “Avengers” team from his university labs, including co-founders Craig (aerospace research chair) and Colin (former TA).
The Supply Chain Blind Spot (00:10:36)
Canada’s massive gap in energetics , from solid rocket motors to warheads, and upstream chemical synthesis (RDX, HMX, C4 propellants).
Why “vertically integrated” doesn’t always mean what people think.
The need for government signals to encourage private companies to take the risk and spool up.
Defence Investing: Then vs. Now (00:14:48)
In 2022, no one wanted to look at North Vector , squeamishness around defence was rampant.
The gap between the narrative and reality on the ground in Canada.
Why most Canadian investors are still obsessed with “dual-use” investing, which Paul argues is historically misguided.
The Dual-Use Delusion (00:29:31)
The problem with forcing every defence tech to have a civilian application.
Historical examples: GPS (missile guidance), duct tape (waterproof ammunition sealing).
The parallel to basic science , pure math and quantum mechanics funded with no immediate application, yet yielding enormous real-world benefits.
Canada vs. The U.S. (00:18:43)
Honest admission: it’s easier to build defence tech south of the border.
Why North Vector chose to stay in Canada despite the friction.
Canada as a “frontier market” , a massive opportunity for those willing to build.
The debt of gratitude to the country that gave his family refuge.
ACDC & The 70% Target (00:21:20)
Paul co-chairs the Alliance of Canadian Defence Companies (ACDC) , now nearly 200 members.
The goal: champion Canadian-owned, Canadian-controlled companies and advocate for fast contracts.
Holding the government accountable to the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) without displacing primes.
In-Q-Tel & The Culture Shift (00:23:16)
What a Canadian version of In-Q-Tel would need to get right.
The critical need: give delegated authorities permission to take risks and accept failure as part of the process.
Moving money out the door faster to small, scrappy startups that could win big.
The Golden Dome Opportunity (00:27:13)
Canada’s lack of commitment to NORAD modernization and the Golden Dome.
The upside: a $500B–$1.2T opportunity.
Paul’s proposed win-win: “Give Trump the $61B win, but ensure $40B goes to Canadian firms.”
How Canada can participate as an active builder, not just a buyer.
About Paul Ziadé
Paul Ziadé is the CEO and co-founder of North Vector Dynamics, a Calgary-based company building full-spectrum precision missile systems for Canada and its allies. A former tenured professor at the University of Calgary, Paul holds deep expertise in high-speed propulsion and aerodynamics, having spent over a decade in academia before pivoting to the startup world. He is also the co-chair of the Alliance of Canadian Defence Companies (ACDC) , advocating for Canadian-owned, Canadian-controlled defence firms. A first-generation Canadian with roots in Lebanon and Armenia, Paul brings a historically literate perspective to national security and the urgent need for Canada to build sovereign defence capability.
Connect with Paul Ziadé on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ziade/
Visit North Vector Dynamics’ website: https://www.northvectordynamics.com/
Learn more about ACDC: https://www.alliancecanada.com/
Connect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1
Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/
