Nicolas Duguay
Founder & Principal
7 Islands Defense & Cyber was founded by Nicolas Duguay, a Canadian business development and market-access professional with extensive experience across cybersecurity, technology, defense and international markets.
Before founding 7i, he played a central role in developing Canada's cybersecurity ecosystem and building connections between Canadian companies, governments, international partners and foreign markets.
His work has included organizing and leading international trade and market-development initiatives, supporting technology companies entering new markets, developing relationships with government and industry decision-makers, and working across Canadian and European cybersecurity ecosystems.
Earlier in his career, he spent more than a decade as a journalist with CBC/Radio-Canada. He subsequently worked in intelligence and security-related environments before moving into cybersecurity ecosystem development and international business development.
This combination of experience provides 7i with a practical understanding of how markets, governments, companies and people actually interact when business crosses borders.
7i is intentionally small and senior-led.
Clients work directly with the people responsible for their mandate. We don't hand strategy to a junior team once an engagement begins.
Our work can range from a focused market assessment or introductions to sustained support in a target market.
Depending on the mandate, we can act as an advisor, a market-development partner or an extension of a client's business development team.
Our approach is practical, discreet and results-oriented.
Entering a new market is rarely just a sales challenge.
Companies need to understand who the real buyers and decision-makers are, how purchasing decisions are made, which partners matter, how competitors are positioned, and what regulatory or political factors can affect an opportunity.
7i combines market intelligence with direct business development support.
We research the market, identify the right people and opportunities, open doors, develop relationships and help clients move opportunities forward.
7 Islands Defense & Cyber is a Canadian boutique advisory specializing in market intelligence, market access and business development.
We help organizations understand new markets, identify opportunities and build the relationships they need to enter and grow in those markets.
Our work is particularly focused on environments where technology, security, government, regulation and international business intersect.
Based in Canada and operating internationally, 7i works across Canadian, European and other international markets.
