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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

 

Toronto’s Wombo Raises $12.2M to Develop AI Content Creation Products

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Toronto-based Wombo has secured $12.2 million in new funding to expand its AI-powered entertainment offerings. Led by Round13 Capital’s Digital Asset Fund, and supported by Nvidia, CoreWeave, and others, the funding will help Wombo grow its team and explore AI-based content creation.

Known for viral apps like Wombo Dream and Wombo Meme, the startup has faced challenges, including a collapsed financing round and copyright issues. Despite these setbacks, CEO Ben-Zion Benkhin says the company is now profitable and aims to push forward with innovative products, including “w.ai.”

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

Toronto Leads North America in Tech Job Growth

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Toronto led North America in tech job growth over the last five years, adding 95,900 positions between 2018 and 2023, according to a CBRE report. The city’s tech workforce grew by 44% during this period, ranking it fourth among the top 50 North American tech markets.

The top three markets were the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and New York. Colin Yasukochi, CBRE’s tech insights center executive director, credits the rise of artificial intelligence for driving job demand. However, Vancouver, Montreal, and Waterloo saw declines in their rankings.

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

Jolt and TELUS to Install 5,000 EV Chargers Across Canada

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Australian EV charging startup Jolt is entering the North American market through a partnership with Vancouver-based TELUS. Together, they plan to install up to 5,000 public DC fast chargers across Canada, utilizing TELUS’ network. With an anticipated rise in electric vehicles, Canada will need over 200,000 public chargers by 2030.

This partnership aims to meet that demand, promoting EV adoption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Later this year, installation will begin, offering 7 kWh of free charging per day to drivers via the Jolt app. TELUS sees this collaboration as part of its sustainability goals.

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

Vancouver Firms Launch AI Tool for Public Consultation

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Vancouver-based consulting firms Coast Communications and Deetken Insight have launched Middle Ground, an artificial intelligence tool aimed at improving public consultation for infrastructure projects.

Developed in partnership with Cypress AI, Middle Ground offers a user-friendly, safe way for the public to ask questions and receive accurate answers about complex projects like mines or energy initiatives. Unlike typical AI tools, Middle Ground delivers information based on verified technical data, with real-time citations. The tool is expected to streamline consultation, saving time and enhancing trust in the process.

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

TELUS Converts Old Network Sites into Housing

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Telus, Canada’s third-largest telecom, is venturing into real estate by repurposing land once used for its copper-cable network. The company, which has nearly completed its transition to fibre optics, is transforming around 200 decommissioned properties into rental housing.

Under the Telus Living initiative, two residential buildings are under construction in British Columbia, expected to provide 254 units by next year. With plans to develop up to 16 more sites, Telus could add 2,500 to 2,800 units. This move might eventually lead to the formation of a real estate investment trust.

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

Ban on Phones in School Not Enough to Mitigate Escalating Device Addiction

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Provincial cellphone bans being implemented across Canada this week are not enough, according to Lynn Posluns, chief executive of Women’s Brain Health Initiative, who believes students and families need “more urgent, comprehensive education and awareness measures for children and families to address escalating mobile device addiction.”

“Nobody should be under any illusion that these measures alone will address the national children’s brain health crisis that is mobile device addiction,” stated Posluns. “Until we fully educate students about the harms of excessive cellphone use and provide them and their parents with tools to sustain awareness at home, children will continue to overuse technology which we know is causing sleep deprivation and long-term negative effects on their brains.”

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

BMO Partners with Nova Credit to Help Newcomers Establish Credit in Canada

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BMO has announced a new partnership with Nova Credit, the leading cross-border credit bureau, to assist newcomers in accessing credit products in Canada. By integrating Nova Credit’s Credit Passport into its application process, BMO allows immigrants from nine countries, including Australia, India, and the United Kingdom, to transfer their international credit histories to Canada.

This initiative aims to simplify the financial transition for newcomers, providing them with access to essential financial tools and resources. BMO’s partnership reflects its commitment to supporting customers throughout their journey to establish a stable financial foundation in their new home.

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

Dolphin Realty Invests in PropTech Startup Homebaba to Advance Digital Offerings

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Toronto-based Dolphin Realty Inc. has strategically acquired a 49% stake in Homebaba Technologies, a leading Canadian platform for new homes and condos. Financial details remain undisclosed. This acquisition is a crucial step in Dolphin Realty’s strategy to enhance its digital presence and revolutionize the real estate industry.

By integrating Homebaba’s specialized digital assets, Dolphin Realty aims to connect key market players—homebuyers, sellers, tenants, landlords, builders, and realtors—through innovative PropTech solutions. The company plans further investments in AI and big data to create a more efficient, data-driven real estate market.

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

Canada Accused of Playing Politics, Ignoring the Dark Side of Tech Use in China

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Three human rights groups are urging the Canadian government to impose sanctions on four Chinese surveillance companies accused of leveraging technology to aid human rights abuses against the Uyghur minority in China. The groups, including Toronto-based Human Rights Action Group and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, submitted a 345-page report to Global Affairs Canada in May, detailing how tech from Hikvision, Dahua, Tiandy, and Uniview facilitates torture, forced labour, and other abuses.

Despite compelling evidence, Canadian officials have not yet responded to the call for sanctions, The Logic reports, with the Privy Council Office indicating that the decision is political.

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

Canadian Fintechs APOLLO Insurance and Paysquad Solutions ‘Deepen Relationship’

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Launched in 2019, Vancouver-born digital insurance innovator APOLLO Insurance this week expanded its partnership with property management software organization Payquad Solutions to embed tenant insurance directly into Payquad’s workflows, providing renters easy access. For property managers, the insurance purchase experience is embedded directly into leasing and renewal workflows.

“Payquad is thrilled to deepen our partnership with APOLLO,” said CEO David Janowski of Ontario’s Paysquad. “APOLLO’s digital first and resident-centric approach has been well-received by our customers. By fully integrating tenant insurance directly into our portals and leasing workflow, we are making it even more convenient for renters to obtain the coverage they need.”

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