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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

 

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.

LinkedIn Unveils Top Canadian Startups for 2025

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.