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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Canadian Startup Joins a16z Speedrun Accelerator

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A Surrey-born entrepreneur is advancing social media commerce with a new AI platform tailored for Instagram-based sales. Harpriya Bagri, a UBC-trained engineer and former LinkedIn machine learning specialist, founded Hotbox to identify and convert high-intent leads from online engagement.

Recently accepted into Andreessen Horowitz’s Speedrun accelerator, which admits fewer than one percent of applicants, the startup reflects shifting business norms. Hotbox analyzes likes, comments, and messages to surface prospects and automate outreach. Bagri previously worked at TRIUMF and MILA, and led growth at Respell. The company is preparing for its upcoming Demo Day.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.com.

BorderPass Blends AI and Lawyers for Immigration

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Canadian legaltech firm BorderPass is developing a hybrid model combining artificial intelligence with licensed legal professionals to streamline immigration services. Led by founder Josh Green, the company aims to reduce cost, complexity, and delays in cross-border mobility. Its platform automates document processing and error detection while maintaining lawyer oversight at critical stages.

BorderPass says the approach improves accuracy and compliance in a highly regulated environment. The company is profitable and self-funded, emphasizing scalable systems and strong unit economics. Green argues legaltech will mirror fintech’s economic impact as demand for global mobility infrastructure grows.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on LegalTech.ca.

Tailscale Acquires Vancouver’s Border0 to Expand Security Stack

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Vancouver-based Border0 has joined Toronto’s Tailscale, marking a strategic alignment in secure infrastructure access technology. Tailscale CEO Avery Pennarun said the acquisition expands beyond connectivity into identity-based access control, where Border0’s capabilities in authorization, session visibility, and workflow management fit naturally.

Founded by Andree Toonk, Border0 focuses on simplifying secure infrastructure access without adding complexity. The companies first connected at the RSA Conference and later deepened integration at AWS re:Invent. With Border0 already integrated into Tailscale’s platform, the combined offering aims to deliver a more unified, user-friendly approach to secure system access.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.com.

Shopify Capital Nears $1.8B in Outstanding Loans

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Shopify’s AI-powered lending arm is expanding rapidly, with Shopify Capital growing roughly 50 percent annually over the past three years. The company now deploys algorithms to identify merchants likely to need and repay funding, replacing traditional human underwriting with automated, pre-emptive offers. Outstanding balances reached nearly US$1.8 billion last quarter, reflecting strong demand.

Revenue from lending remains modest but rising, totaling US$258 million last year, up from US$205 million. The program also drives merchant growth on Shopify’s platform. The company declined further comment, though it emphasizes access over credit scores.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.

HIVE Expands AI Data Centre Capacity in Canada

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Canadian digital infrastructure firm HIVE Digital Technologies is expanding its AI compute capacity from 4 megawatts to 16.6 megawatts across Manitoba and British Columbia through its BUZZ HPC division.

The buildout includes a new 5 MW colocation facility in British Columbia, with potential expansion to 7.6 MW. The deployment will support more than 4,000 GPUs, with further growth tied to a partnership with Bell Canada’s AI Fabric. Chief executive Aydin Kilic said the expansion strengthens sovereign AI infrastructure as demand accelerates.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on DataCentre.ca.

Toronto Tech Week Returns With Major Speakers

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Toronto Tech Week will return in 2026 with its flagship Homecoming event on May 27 at History. Organizers expect more than 15,000 attendees across 300 citywide events.

Speakers include Tobi Lütke of Shopify, Andrew Macdonald of Uber, Nick Frosst of Cohere, and Andrew Chau of Neo Financial. Additional speakers include Jim Balsillie and Raquel Urtasun. More than 150 partner events are planned.

Want to know more? Check out the source code here.

Moment Energy Partners With SFU on Data Centres

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Vancouver cleantech firm Moment Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Simon Fraser University to support data centre energy needs and sustainability initiatives.

The partnership will explore deploying advanced battery storage to enhance power availability for research facilities, including a pilot at the Cedar Supercomputing Centre. Executive Gurmesh Sidhu cited clean energy potential, while Dugan O’Neil highlighted efficiency gains. Chief executive Edward Chiang said the company continues scaling globally following significant funding and talent additions.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on CleanEnergy.ca.

Boreal Ventures Launches $60M Canadian Tech Fund

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Montréal venture firm Boreal Ventures has launched a $60-million early-stage investment vehicle aimed at helping Canadian technology companies scale globally.

Boreal Ventures II has secured a $43-million first close and will target capital-efficient B2B startups across sectors including SaaS, artificial intelligence, fintech, digital health, and industrial technology. Former Lightspeed Commerce executive JD Saint‑Martin joins as co-managing partner alongside founder David Charbonneau. Backers include Investissement Québec and BDC Capital. The fund focuses on commercialization support.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Newswire.ca.

Bell Plans Canada’s Largest AI Data Centre

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Bell Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan will build a 300-megawatt artificial intelligence data centre near Regina in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood. The facility, part of Bell AI Fabric, is expected to become Canada’s largest purpose-built AI data centre.

Construction begins this spring with initial operations targeted for 2027. Tenants include Cerebras Systems and CoreWeave. Bell will connect the site through its fibre network in partnership with SaskTel. Officials estimate up to $12 billion in provincial economic benefits.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on DataCentre.ca.

Canada Invests $225M in Domestic Rocket Launch Capability

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Canada will invest nearly $225 million to strengthen domestic rocket launch capability, including a $200 million lease for a launch pad at Maritime Launch Services’ spaceport near Canso, Nova Scotia. Defence Minister David McGuinty said the project supports national security and space sovereignty under Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy.

Additional grants of $8.3 million each will support Canada Rocket Company, NordSpace, and Reaction Dynamics to advance launch technologies. Canada also joined NATO’s Starlift initiative, enabling allied launches across participating spaceports.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on BetaKit.