Decoder.ca

Canadian Tech in 100 Words

 

Cyclic Materials Raises $53 Million to Expand Rare Earth Recycling

by

Toronto-based Cyclic Materials, an advanced recycling company focused on rare earth elements (REEs), has closed an oversubscribed USD $53 million Series B equity round. Led by ArcTern Ventures, the round included new investors like BDC Capital’s Climate Tech Fund and Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund.

The company will use the capital to expand its recycling infrastructure in the US and Europe, reducing the environmental impact of rare earth recovery. CEO Ahmad Ghahreman emphasized the importance of sustainability in the clean energy transition. Cyclic Materials aims to re-establish North American and European leadership in rare earth recycling.

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

LinkedIn Unveils Top Canadian Startups for 2025

by

LinkedIn has announced its annual list of Top Startups in Canada for 2025, featuring 15 companies driving innovation across industries. The list is based on LinkedIn data, considering factors such as employee growth, jobseeker interest, and talent acquisition from Top Companies.

Among the highlighted startups are AI leader Cohere, fintech company Float, and digital automation firm PostGrid. These companies are not only growing rapidly but are also revolutionizing fields like AI, fintech, and sustainable metal extraction. This year’s list showcases the rising stars of Canadian innovation.

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

Kyndryl Partners with University of Waterloo for Cybersecurity Research

by

Kyndryl, the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, has announced a collaboration with the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI) at the University of Waterloo. The partnership aims to support research into data privacy and security, focusing on decentralized identity management, privacy-enhancing cryptography, and quantum-safe communication. These innovations are essential as technologies like AI and IoT increase the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.

Antoine Shagoury, Kyndryl’s CTO, emphasized the importance of academic partnerships, while CPI’s Dr. Anindya Sen highlighted the role of interdisciplinary research in addressing global cybersecurity challenges.

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

Open Waters Solar to Revolutionize Marine Energy

by

Simon Angus, founder of Open Waters Solar, turned his passion for sailing into a pioneering venture in renewable energy. After designing an all-electric sailboat, Angus developed innovative solar panels tailored for marine use. His company aims to reduce the reliance on diesel generators in the marine and transportation industries.

Recently, Open Waters Solar received a $450,000 grant from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund to retrofit its Prince George facility and scale production. The expansion will create 20 full-time jobs and help diversify northern B.C.’s economy. Open Waters is set to revolutionize clean energy on the water.

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

Ayrton Energy Raises $6.8M to Advance Hydrogen Storage Technology

by

Calgary-based Ayrton Energy has raised $6.8 million in seed financing to develop its liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology. The funding round, led by Clean Energy Ventures and BDC Capital, aims to help Ayrton expand its operations and scale its hydrogen storage system.

Ayrton’s LOHC allows hydrogen to be stored at room temperature and low pressure, solving a major challenge in hydrogen transport and storage. The company has already begun a pilot program in Alberta with ATCO Gas. Ayrton’s technology is expected to significantly contribute to decarbonizing industries such as aviation and shipping.

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

HP’s Latest Study Shows Personalized Work and AI Could Improve Worker Satisfaction

by

HP Inc. has released its second annual Work Relationship Index (WRI), revealing that only 28% of knowledge workers have a healthy relationship with work, a minor one-point increase from last year. The study, surveying 15,600 workers across 12 countries, highlighted the importance of personalized work experiences and AI.

Workers using AI reported higher productivity and job satisfaction. The report also showed that female leaders outperformed male counterparts in confidence with both human and hard skills. HP’s President Enrique Lores stressed AI’s potential in driving business growth and personal fulfillment.

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

PrePad Chosen for Chevron’s Catalyst Program, Innovates Energy Cost Estimation

by

Calgary-based SaaS startup PrePad has been selected for Chevron Technology Ventures’ (CTV) prestigious Catalyst Program, joining global energy innovators. Launched in 2017, the Catalyst Program fosters early-stage companies that drive innovation in the energy sector. PrePad’s software, which optimizes cost and time estimates for oil and gas drilling, provides transparency and improves decision-making.

PrePad joins Chevron’s experts to refine its platform, already used by companies like Devon Energy. Co-founders Sean Hervo and Brandon Eidson see this as a major step forward for PrePad, which was also named Disruptive Digital Innovator at the 2024 Global Energy Show.

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

Shopify to Hire 1,000 Engineering Interns in 2025

by

Shopify is set to hire 1,000 engineering interns in 2025, as announced by Farhan Thawar, Shopify’s VP & Head of Engineering, on Twitter. Thawar encouraged “AI centaurs” to apply. The internships, lasting four months, will take place in Toronto, Ottawa, or Montreal and are open to all applicants.

Shopify highlighted the opportunity for interns to help shape how entrepreneurs around the globe do business. Applications for Shopify’s Winter 2025 internships are now open, with interested candidates encouraged to apply online. This marks a significant expansion in Shopify’s recruitment efforts.

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

AI Scribe Startup Scribenote Raises $8.2M, Led by Andreessen Horowitz

by

Veterinary professionals face overwhelming workloads, with 86% reporting severe stress. Scribenote, an AI-powered medical scribe for veterinarians, has raised $8.2 million in seed funding to address this. Led by Andreessen Horowitz, the funding will help automate medical records, saving veterinarians hours of paperwork.

Co-founded by Ryan Gallagher, inspired by his sister’s experience, Scribenote allows real-time documentation during appointments. Already in use by hundreds of clinics, the AI scribe has automated 1.5 million records, saving vets up to two hours daily. Scribenote plans to expand its platform, helping veterinarians focus more on patient care.

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

Pangaea Ventures Raises $115 Million for HardTech Impact Fund

by

Pangaea Ventures, a Vancouver and Phoenix-based venture capital firm, has finalized its fifth and largest fund, raising $115 million. The fund focuses on HardTech solutions aimed at improving planetary health, including clean energy and sustainable agriculture.

The firm has already backed five startups, including Vancouver’s pH7 Technologies, which specializes in eco-friendly metal extraction. With half of the fund already deployed, Pangaea plans to invest between $3 and $5 million per round, primarily in Canada and the U.S. Pangaea has also opened an office in Tokyo to expand its reach.

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