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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Absolute Software to Be Acquired by Crosspoint Capital

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Vancouver’s Absolute Software has agreed to be acquired by private equity firm Crosspoint Capital Partners, with shareholders set to receive US$11.50 per share in cash.

Absolute built the industry’s only self-healing security platform, embedding resilience and zero trust access directly into device firmware for more than 21,000 customers worldwide. Crosspoint, a cybersecurity-focused investor, says it will drive the company’s next phase of growth. The deal gives shareholders immediate cash value while taking Absolute private. Its technology reaches customers through OEM partners and a global reseller network.

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

BC’s Largest VR Facility Opens in Aldergrove

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Another World VR has opened in Aldergrove, in Langley Township between Abbotsford and Vancouver, as British Columbia’s largest virtual reality facility. The 2,000-square-foot venue is part of a global network spanning more than 250 cities in 36 countries.

Its 1,400 square feet of free-roam zones let up to 14 players move wirelessly through games together, from zombie battles to fishing and ghost hunting. The venue was founded by Phillip Chang and his family and also hosts parties and group events.

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

Maximum Contrast Launches Lumos XR Platform for Brands

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Vancouver creative technology agency Maximum Contrast has launched Lumos XR, an extended reality platform that lets brands build interactive 3D worlds customers enter by scanning a QR code.

The platform uses gesture-based interaction, voice activation and gaze tracking, powered by a head- and gaze-tracking system the company calls 4D Laservision. An AI assistant, NeuralMax, talks users through the worlds in natural conversation. Experiences run across devices, which Maximum Contrast says makes extended reality practical for businesses of any size.

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

Uber Adds More Family Ride Controls

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Uber is rolling out three new ride features in Canada aimed at women, seniors, teens, and families. Women Driver Preferences will let women and non-binary riders request a woman driver, while expanded senior accounts add simpler navigation, pickup preferences, and optional family support. Teen livestreaming will allow linked parents and guardians to view eligible rides through a driver’s smartphone camera, with encryption and notifications for both the teen and driver.

Uber says the updates are designed to give riders more choice, independence, and reassurance while extending existing safety and accessibility features across its Canadian ride platform for everyday travel.

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

Canadians Trust AI, But Not With Wallets

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AI is becoming a meaningful part of Canadian holiday shopping, but consumers remain cautious about letting agents spend for them. Salesforce found 16 percent of shoppers start with AI, while 75 percent trust its recommendations. Nearly one-third have tried a personal AI agent, yet only 5 percent have allowed one to make a purchase.

Privacy and accidental charges remain major concerns, and 53 percent are not interested in agent-led buying. Retailer agents perform better: one-third of shoppers have used one, 83 percent reported a good experience, and 63 percent said it increased brand loyalty afterward.

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

Climate Institute Launches Tracker for Canada’s Energy Transition

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The Canadian Climate Institute has launched a Climate Progress Tracker to measure how Canada’s clean energy transition is actually going. Built by its 440 Megatonnes project, the tool tracks several dozen indicators in near real time.

Early signals are mixed: electric vehicles reached 13% market share, up from 7% in early 2025; wind and solar capacity has grown 40% since 2020; and battery storage is up sixfold to 900 megawatts. Emissions, however, remain far off the net zero path.

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

LexisNexis Canada Maps Where Lawyer Oversight of AI Begins

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Oversight of agentic AI in a law firm begins before the software runs, LexisNexis Canada argues: it starts with the instructions a lawyer gives the assignment. Clear jurisdiction, facts, and questions set the guardrails.

The checks continue after: read the passages the tool relied on, confirm decisions are current, and weigh contrary cases. Cost, timing, or a client relationship can still outweigh a winning motion. Firms should also spell out which tools can touch client information and who hears about errors.

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

One in Four Canadians Would Let AI Buy Their Holiday Gifts

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One in four Canadians would let an AI agent buy every holiday gift on their list, according to Mastercard’s 2026 Holiday Shopper Snapshot. Millennials were keener still, at 43%, ahead of Gen Z at 38%.

Shoppers still want guardrails: 67% want approval before an agent spends loyalty points or benefits, and three-quarters would accept extra security checks at checkout. Mastercard has already demoed the idea, testing Agent Pay with Flybits and Rogers Bank in September. The Harris Poll survey covered 1,005 Canadians.

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

Thomson Reuters Adds CUBE’s Regulatory Intelligence to CoCounsel

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Thomson Reuters has added CUBE’s regulatory intelligence to CoCounsel Legal, its AI platform for lawyers. The integration lets CoCounsel’s agents pull in rules, codes, and supervisory guidance alongside Westlaw and Practical Law content.

CUBE tracks more than 12,000 issuing bodies across 750 jurisdictions, with 250 subject-matter experts reviewing material. The point is context: regulators’ guidance often decides how a rule applies in practice. Canada is an early market for CoCounsel’s multinational tools, which compare requirements across more than 100 countries.

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

WaitWell Expands From Queues to a Full Service Platform

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Calgary-based WaitWell has unveiled the next generation of its service operations platform, expanding beyond queue management and appointments. The company sells to government, healthcare, education, and retail organizations trying to cut waiting times.

New pieces include inventory management, point of sale, fuller employee scheduling, and Waillo, an AI layer for insights and chat. The aim is one system for lines, staff, sales, stock, and records. Founded in 2020, WaitWell says it has saved 14 million hours across 48 million customers and 1,700 organizations.

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