Decoder.ca

Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Shopify Capital Nears $1.8B in Outstanding Loans

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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.

Calgary Developers Launch Canadian Budgeting App

by

Calgary developers Florencia Chomski and Ahmad Jamal have launched budgeting startup Waypoint after confronting their own financial challenges. Built nights and weekends, the platform now counts more than 1,000 users, including roughly 150 paying customers.

Designed specifically for Canadians, Waypoint incorporates accounts such as TFSAs and RRSPs often overlooked by U.S.-focused tools. The founders say future improvements depend on Canada’s open banking rollout, which would enable smoother bank integrations. The startup has also applied to the Alberta Digital Traction Program to accelerate growth.

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

Ottawa Funds Green Upgrade at Ontario Port

by

Canada’s Transport Canada has committed $6.4 million through the Green Shipping Corridor Program to modernize operations at R.W. Tomlinson’s Ontario Trap Rock facility in Bruce Mines. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the project will electrify an extended ship loading system replacing diesel haul trucks moving aggregates 2.7 kilometres to the dock.

Chief executive Ron Tomlinson said the upgrade will improve efficiency and reduce emissions while supporting Great Lakes construction supply chains. The initiative advances Canada’s push toward cleaner marine transport infrastructure.

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

Bank of Canada Warns Fintechs on Marketing Claims

by

The Bank of Canada has warned fintech companies not to promote their registration under the country’s new payments oversight regime as an endorsement. In guidance issued through a newsletter, the bank said suggesting approval or backing by the central bank is “strictly prohibited.” Firms may only reference their status by directing users to the official registry.

Spokesperson Akim Thibouthot did not confirm whether promotional announcements violate the directive. Since September, non-bank payments providers must register and follow safeguards designed to protect users from failures, cyberattacks and operational risks.

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