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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

TELUS Backs Space-Based Mobile Coverage

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TELUS has signed a commercial agreement with AST SpaceMobile to bring satellite-based cellular service to remote regions across Canada. The partnership will combine TELUS’ wireless network with AST SpaceMobile’s Low Earth orbit satellite constellation, enabling smartphones to connect directly to space-based “cell towers.” The service, expected to launch in late 2026, will allow customers to send texts, make calls, and access data in areas without traditional cellular coverage.

TELUS will invest in ground infrastructure and take an equity stake in AST SpaceMobile as part of the agreement. The technology aims to extend connectivity to rural communities, backcountry regions, and remote work sites across Canada.

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

Legal AI Leader Raises Acquisition Capital

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Toronto-based Spellbook has secured USD $40 million in debt financing from RBCx to support acquisitions and platform expansion as consolidation accelerates across the legal AI sector.

The company, which develops an AI copilot for contract drafting, previously raised a $50 million Series B round earlier this year that valued the business at $350 million. Spellbook now serves nearly 4,000 law firms and legal teams across 80 countries, including Nestlé, eBay, and Kennedys. The new facility will allow Spellbook to pursue strategic acquisitions and strengthen its data-driven infrastructure as demand grows for AI-powered legal tools.

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

Carbon Capture Leader Expands Storage Capability

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Vancouver’s Svante Technologies is acquiring Calgary startup Carbon Alpha, strengthening its capabilities across the carbon capture and storage value chain.

Carbon Alpha has been developing the North Star Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage project in partnership with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council in Saskatchewan. The initiative will add carbon capture to the MLTC Bioenergy Centre and transport captured CO₂ via pipeline to permanent geological storage near Meadow Lake. Svante says the acquisition expands its expertise in geological storage while advancing plans to deliver high-integrity carbon removal credits at commercial scale. The next phase of the project will involve a front-end engineering and design study.

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

Canadian Subsea Firm Expands Defence Reach

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St. John’s-based marine technology company Kraken Robotics has agreed to acquire UK-based Covelya Group for $615 million, expanding its presence in subsea technology and the growing defence market.

The deal will combine Kraken’s underwater robotics, sensors, and batteries with Covelya’s portfolio of navigation, positioning, and imaging technologies used in maritime defence and commercial operations. Covelya’s subsidiaries include Sonardyne, EIVA, and Wavefront Systems. Once completed in the second quarter of 2026, the combined company will employ roughly 1,200 people and operate more than 450,000 square feet of production space worldwide. Kraken will remain headquartered in Canada and led by its existing management team.

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

Wealthsimple Joins SWIFT Network

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Toronto-based Wealthsimple has joined the global SWIFT financial messaging network, becoming the first Canadian fintech and only the second non-bank worldwide to gain direct access.

Used by more than 11,000 financial institutions, SWIFT enables trillions of dollars in cross-border payments annually. Wealthsimple says membership will allow clients to track international wire transfers in real time while improving speed and transparency. The company is completing final technical integration ahead of a full launch this spring and plans to adopt Canada’s upcoming Real-Time Rail payments system. Wealthsimple serves more than three million Canadians and manages over $100 billion in assets.

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

ALL IN Launches Regional AI Talks Series

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ALL IN is expanding beyond Montréal with the launch of ALL IN Talks, a new series of regional events designed to accelerate the adoption of Canadian-built artificial intelligence solutions. The series will debut with ALL IN Talks West in Vancouver on April 15, followed by ALL IN Talks Toronto on May 28.

Unlike large-scale conferences focused on thought leadership, the events will emphasize practical AI implementation by connecting enterprises exploring adoption with Canadian technology providers offering market-ready tools. Presented by TELUS and SCALE AI, the Vancouver gathering will highlight Western Canada’s growing role in enterprise AI deployment ahead of ALL IN’s flagship Montréal conference in September.

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

Wheaton Awards $1M Mining Water Prize

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Vancouver-based Wheaton Precious Metals has awarded USD $1 million to New York startup Cetos Water, winner of the company’s second annual Future of Mining Challenge. The competition focused on technologies addressing sustainable water management in mining operations. Cetos Water’s low-energy, solvent-based system converts complex mine wastewater into clean, reusable water, helping reduce freshwater demand and environmental risk.

Delivered in partnership with the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, the challenge drew global applicants. Canadian companies pH7 Technologies of Vancouver and H2nanO of Kitchener were named finalists, highlighting Canada’s growing cleantech presence in mining innovation.

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

Loop, Wave Launch Direct API

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Toronto fintech Loop has partnered with accounting platform Wave to launch a direct API integration connecting business banking data with accounting records. The integration enables Loop customers to automatically sync transactions into Wave, eliminating the need for unreliable screen-scraping connections commonly used by Canadian small businesses.

Loop says it is the first Canadian business banking provider to offer a native API connection with Wave. The system supports multi-currency accounts and transactions in USD, EUR, and GBP, while enabling real-time reconciliation inside Wave’s accounting software. The integration is now available to Canadian businesses using both platforms.

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

AI Adds to Accountants’ Workloads

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A new survey from Dext finds Canadian accountants are spending hours each month correcting AI-generated tax mistakes made by clients. Of the 500 accountants surveyed, 44% said they spend up to three hours monthly fixing errors linked to public AI tools, while 38% spend four to 10 hours. Only 7% reported no AI-related mistakes.

Common issues include incorrect interpretations of business expenses and payroll errors, with 70% saying clients use AI outputs to challenge professional advice. While some see promise in AI-assisted tax guidance, many warn that without oversight, financial penalties can follow.

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

Agentic Finance Startup Secures Backing

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Pluvo has raised $5 million in seed financing to accelerate development of its agentic AI financial analysis engine and expand go-to-market efforts. The round included participation from Andreessen Horowitz’s a16z speedrun, Deel, The Perseverance Fund, StandUp Ventures, AltaIR Capital, and strategic angel investors, including existing customers.

CEO Alex Labrèche says the platform helps CFOs move from data to decisions faster by deploying AI agents to analyze models, forecasts, and scenarios in real time. A graduate of Alchemist Accelerator and now a16z speedrun, Pluvo plans to expand integrations and scale its product team.

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