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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

 

Potential Sale of Lightspeed Attracts Interest from Fintech Giants

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Lightspeed, a leading payment technology company, is reportedly up for sale, with CEO Dax Dasilva open to relinquishing leadership as part of a deal. Sources told The Globe & Mail that Lightspeed has signed NDAs with several potential buyers, primarily fellow fintech firms like Clover, Intuit, Block, PayPal, and Shopify.

A sale isn’t confirmed, but Lightspeed has issued a statement about a strategic review aimed at maximizing its potential. The company’s stock price has surged since news of the potential sale emerged, and analysts believe a buyer could become a major player in the payments sector.

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

Neo Financial Recognized as Canada’s Fastest-Growing Company

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Calgary’s Neo Financial has been ranked No. 1 on the 2024 Report on Business magazine’s list of Canada’s Top Growing Companies, thanks to an astounding three-year revenue growth of 38,431%. Founded in 2019, Neo Financial offers modern financial solutions, including high-interest savings accounts, cashback credit cards, and competitive mortgage options.

Co-founder Jeff Adamson credited the company’s growth to the dedication of its team and a desire for change among Canadians. Neo Financial’s success highlights a shift in the financial landscape as more people seek alternatives to traditional banking.

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

Canadian Securities Administrators Warn of Risks in Unregulated Crypto Assets

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The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has updated its guidance for crypto asset trading platforms, extending the deadline for halting trading of unregulated crypto assets until October. Investors have faced “significant harm” due to unregulated crypto collapses and activities of unregistered participants, prompting the CSA to express ongoing concerns over investor protection.

The CSA reminds Canadians that holding crypto contracts lacks the protections of regulated deposits and warns that crypto asset trading is speculative and highly volatile. Canada, home to about five million crypto holders, remains one of the most crypto-aware nations globally.

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

Northvolt’s Future in Canada at Risk as EV Demand Slows

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One year after announcing its $7-billion battery factory near Montreal, Swedish-based Northvolt faces financial difficulties, raising concerns about the future of its Quebec project. Amid a cash crunch, the company cut 20% of its global workforce and hired restructuring advisors. Northvolt has assured that work continues on its Quebec facilities, but delays are anticipated.

The factory, funded by $7.3 billion from Canadian and Quebec governments, is key to Canada’s EV sector and expected to create 3,000 jobs. Some opposition leaders are calling for funding to be halted. The fate of Northvolt and its impact on Canada’s economy remain uncertain.

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

1 Billion in Cleantech Innovation on Display at Energy Disruptors: UNITE 2024

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The future of Canadian industry will take center stage in Calgary this October at Energy Disruptors: UNITE 2024. The event will feature keynote presentations from seven CEOs representing Canada’s top cleantech companies, which have collectively raised over $1 billion.

Leaders include John Redfern of Eavor, Greg Twinney of General Fusion, Amanda Hall of Summit Nanotech, and Chris Doornbos of E3 Lithium. The summit highlights advancements in geothermal energy, carbon capture, lithium development, and fusion technology. Energy Disruptors, founded in 2018, aims to accelerate the global energy transition. The event will be held October 1-2, 2024, at the BMO Centre in Calgary.

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

Quickly Announces New Partnership to Enhance Early Payment Solutions for Construction Industry

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Calgary-based fintech Quickly has announced a partnership with hh2 Cloud Services, integrating its early payment platform with Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate through hh2’s iPaaS solution. This collaboration aims to streamline financial operations for construction companies by offering faster payments to subcontractors while maintaining regular payment terms for general contractors.

Quickly’s platform improves cash flow and reduces administrative burdens for small and medium-sized businesses. CEO Kyle Friedman highlighted the value of the integration in enhancing financial management for construction firms. The partnership is expected to drive further innovation in the sector.

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

E3 Lithium Achieves Major Milestone in Battery-Grade Lithium Production

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Calgary-based E3 Lithium has successfully commissioned its demonstration-scale carbonate conversion reactors, marking a major step toward establishing a reliable lithium production facility in Alberta. These reactors, designed to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate, mirror commercial systems on a smaller scale. The company confirmed that the reactors passed rigorous tests, consistently meeting necessary conditions.

E3 Lithium plans to integrate these reactors into its demonstration facility to further validate operational parameters. CEO Chris Doornbos emphasized that this achievement strengthens E3’s ability to supply North America’s growing demand for battery-grade lithium. Doornbos will present at the Energy Disruptors: UNITE 2024 conference.

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

Human in Motion Robotics Brings XoMotion Exoskeleton to Canada

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Vancouver-based Human in Motion Robotics has announced that its advanced exoskeleton, XoMotion, has received Health Canada’s regulatory approval, allowing the product to be sold in the country. XoMotion is designed to assist patients with spinal cord injuries, strokes, and other neurological conditions, offering self-balancing and hands-free support.

According to CEO Siamak Arzanpour, the exoskeleton reduces the physical burden on therapists and enhances the safety of rehabilitation programs. Human in Motion plans to expand into the US, Europe, and Asia following the Canadian launch. The company secured $10 million in Series A funding in 2023.

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

Calgary’s Bow Valley College Unveils State-of-the-Art Esports Facility

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Bow Valley College has unveiled Calgary’s first esports arena, a 70-seat, state-of-the-art facility designed to foster innovation and growth in the city’s digital entertainment industry. The 3,500 sq. ft arena features 40 competition-ready gaming stations, racing simulators, and a broadcast suite.

According to President Dr. Misheck Mwaba, the arena will equip students with skills for careers in the growing esports sector. Funded by the college, the arena is a key part of Alberta’s Esports Strategy. The college’s Digital Entertainment Nexus, supported by a $5.5M investment, is expected to train 675 people by 2028.

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

Cyclic Materials Raises $53 Million to Expand Rare Earth Recycling

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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.