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American Investors Still Dominate Canadian Startup Deals
Despite rising economic tensions, U.S. investors participated in 80% of Canadian venture capital deals in Q1 2025, backing 86 transactions worth US$800 million, according to PitchBook. American firms led nearly half of total deal value. While Canadian backers talk of preserving domestic startup ownership, they’re often outbid on valuations and terms. Experts including C100’s Michael Buhr warn this reliance threatens long-term ecosystem growth. With tariffs and political friction looming, some Canadian founders are reevaluating foreign capital. Still, investors like Panache Ventures admit U.S. players dominate top-tier rounds. Domestic firms are being urged to lead—before others do. Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.
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Vancouver Startup Aims to Simplify Creator Marketing
Vancouver startup Endlss has launched its flagship AI platform, Endlss Copilot, to streamline influencer marketing for lean brand teams. Founded by the creators of Penny AI, Endlss addresses rising costs and capacity issues in scaling creator partnerships. Its all-in-one platform manages discovery, outreach, gifting, coordination, and analytics. Features include AI-personalized messaging and “Smarter Links” for precise attribution. Early users like DTC brand No Rivals praise its intuitive design and time-saving tools. CEO David Abbey says the platform aims to help brands turn influencer activity into real commerce at scale. Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.
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Beacon AI Launches Massive AI Data Centre Project in Alberta
Alberta’s emergence as a data centre powerhouse is underscored by a new collaboration between Stantec and Beacon AI Centers. Calgary-based engineering powerhouse Stantec has been selected as lead consultant for a sweeping AI data centre development program backed by Nadia Partners. The project will span six sites across five municipalities and create thousands of construction jobs and 1,200 permanent roles. Beacon’s new CEO, Josh Schertzer, formerly of Blackstone, will lead its rapid scale-up. With Alberta’s energy advantage, low tax rates, and skilled talent, the province is poised to lead in next-generation digital infrastructure. Want to know more? Check out the source code on Calgary.tech.
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NorthX to Co-Host Climate Innovation Zone at Web Summit
The B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy has rebranded as NorthX Climate Tech, signaling a national commitment to advancing climate hard tech. Under CEO Sarah Goodman, NorthX aims to accelerate tangible decarbonization technologies by providing early capital and industrial partnerships. The group will co-host the Climate Innovation Zone at Web Summit Vancouver, spotlighting women founders, carbon removal, and wildfire tech. Backed by strong provincial leadership, NorthX emphasizes local collaboration and global ambition. Goodman, recently named a BC Business Woman of the Year, calls this a pivotal moment for Canada to lead in cleantech innovation. Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.
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Verdi Raises $6.5M to Scale Smart Irrigation
Vancouver-based agtech startup Verdi has raised $6.5 million in an oversubscribed seed round, bringing its total funding to $9.5 million. Led by SVG Ventures with backing from NEC, GenomeBC, and others, the round follows a breakout year where Verdi’s retrofit irrigation tech was deployed on over 5,000 acres. The platform enables row-level irrigation control and remote leak detection, helping growers cut labor by up to 90%, water use by 70%, and increase yields by 20%. CEO Arthur Chen says the capital will support geographic expansion and AI development. Verdi now employs 24 specialists in AI, agronomy, and hardware. Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.
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Seasoned Operator Joins Amplify Amid Fund III Push
Toronto-based Amplify Capital has welcomed Craig Hunter as a partner as it advances toward closing its third impact-focused venture fund. A seasoned tech operator, Hunter brings experience from Uber, Ritual, and Bitmaker, alongside an active angel investing track record. Amplify Fund III, already 70% raised, will back early-stage cleantech, healthtech, and edtech startups across North America with $1–$3 million cheques. Backed by RBC, Fondaction, and federal programs like VCCI and SFF, the fund has invested in five ventures to date. Hunter aims to help convert hard science into scalable impact through hands-on founder support. Want to know more? Check out the source code on BetaKit.
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Purpose Launches New Core Crypto ETFs
Toronto-based Purpose Investments has launched two new crypto funds—Purpose Core Bitcoin ETF and Purpose Core Ether ETF—on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Designed for long-term investors, these “core” offerings aim to provide simple, low-fee exposure to Bitcoin and Ether, with the Ether ETF staking up to 50% of its holdings. Purpose, which pioneered the world’s first spot Bitcoin ETF in 2021, now claims Canada’s most complete digital asset ETF lineup. With $24 billion in assets under management, including $4 billion in crypto, the firm continues to expand access to regulated digital assets. Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.
Early-Stage Deals Dip, AI Startups Surge
Osler has released its Deal Points Report: Venture Capital Financings 2024, analyzing 160 preferred share financings totalling US$3.73 billion. Covering 646 deals since 2020, the report reveals early-stage rounds comprised 76.3% of 2024 financings but only 22.7% of invested dollars. Series B deals rose, while Series C and later-stage rounds—just 12% of deals—accounted for 54.6% of capital due to mega-rounds. AI and IT companies represented 41.2% of deals and over a quarter of total capital. Ontario, B.C., and Québec dominated activity, while Alberta posted growth, capturing 12.5% of deals. Want to know more? Check out the source code here.
Svante Opens World’s First Carbon Capture Gigafactory
Svante has officially opened its Redwood Facility in Burnaby, B.C., the world’s first gigafactory dedicated to commercial-scale carbon capture filter production. The 141,000-square-foot site can produce enough filters to capture 10 million tonnes of CO₂ annually—equivalent to emissions from 27 million cars. Funded by US$145 million, the plant is backed by Chevron, Temasek, GE Vernova, and others. The MOF-coated filters target sectors like pulp and paper, ethanol, and waste-to-energy. CEO Claude Letourneau called Redwood a historic step toward building infrastructure for a global carbon marketplace. Want to know more? Check out the source code on CleanEnergy.ca.
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Inside Shopify’s Retreat from Equity Commitments
Shopify has shuttered its equity-focused programs, ending initiatives that supported Black, Indigenous, and women entrepreneurs. Internal discord began after executive Kaz Nejatian pledged to restore a Sir John A. Macdonald statue, sparking debate over the company’s commitment to inclusion. Former staff allege that diversity was used as marketing, not mission. Programs like Build Native and Build Black, once heralded, were quietly cut in 2025. Executives now frame DEI work as “virtue signalling.” Staff say the closures came abruptly, erasing support for merchants who brought in real revenue. For some, it marked a cultural turning point—and a political one. Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.
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