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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

RBC Acquires Pinch to Boost Digital Mortgages

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Royal Bank of Canada has acquired Toronto fintech Pinch Financial to expand digital mortgage services. Pinch developed an online qualification platform that verifies borrower data electronically, reducing paperwork and accelerating lender connections.

Senior vice-president Janet Boyle said the purchase advances RBC’s digital roadmap and homeownership support. Chief executive Andrew Wells said the deal scales Pinch’s streamlined, transparent approach nationwide. The acquisition strengthens RBC’s strategy to deliver personalized, efficient financial services as digital lending competition intensifies.

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

Ballard Lands Major Fuel Cell Bus Deal

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Vancouver’s Ballard Power Systems has secured a major commercial agreement with bus maker New Flyer to supply 500 hydrogen fuel cell engines. The FCmove-HD+ order totals 50 megawatts, with deliveries beginning 2026 for North American deployment.

Executives Oben Uluc and David White cited performance and partnership longevity. Ballard-powered fleets exceed 2,200 buses globally, logging 250 million kilometres with 98 percent availability. Hydrogen propulsion supports long range and rapid refueling for transit decarbonization.

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

Report Highlights Gender Gap in Workplace AI

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New research from Monday Girl indicates gender divides in workplace artificial intelligence adoption across Canada. While 64% of Canadians used AI in the past year, men led usage at 68% compared with 61% among women. Confidence gaps persist: 52% of men feel confident using AI tools versus 36% of women.

Women also reported higher concern about workplace consequences at 46%, compared with 40% of men. Intimidation and confusion levels were similarly elevated. Younger workers showed greater anxiety. The report calls for improved training, resources, and support to ensure inclusive technological participation nationwide.

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

Bell, Coveo Launch Sovereign AI Partnership

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Bell Canada and Coveo have formed a sovereign artificial intelligence partnership to modernize digital services across Canadian governments and regulated sectors. The collaboration combines Coveo’s AI-Relevance Platform with Bell AI Fabric, supported by national fibre networks, data centres, cloud systems, and integration services.

Bell subsidiary Ateko will oversee implementation and governance advisory. The initiative keeps sensitive data and AI operations within Canada under domestic law. Coveo previously signed an agreement with the Government of Canada to advance AI-powered public services.

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

Kindly Expands Care Platform Across Canada

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Vancouver-based Kindly has launched its AI-enabled care navigation service nationwide, partnering with major employers to assist workers supporting aging relatives.

Backed by leaders behind TD Innovation Partners, Felix Health, and Halo Health, the platform blends human expertise with digital tools. Employers including Skip, Wealthsimple, Flipp, and Inovia Capital offer the benefit. Founder Logan Gibson cited workforce strain. Kindly targets 100,000 employees by 2026.

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

Wordsmith Expands Legal AI Platform to North America

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Edinburgh-based legal AI firm Wordsmith is expanding into the United States and Canada as corporate legal departments confront rising costs and regulatory complexity. Chief executive Ross McNairn said infrastructure gaps, not expertise, drive reliance on outside counsel.

Wordsmith embeds company-grounded legal intelligence into workplace software, enabling contract review, policy guidance, and escalation workflows. Clients include BT Group, Canva, and Deliveroo. Backed by Index Ventures and General Catalyst, Wordsmith surpassed a $100 million valuation. Canada’s reforms create timely demand.

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

National Awards Spotlight Climate Innovators

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Foresight Canada has revealed finalists for the inaugural Canadian Cleantech Awards, the first national initiative recognizing ventures, adopters, and ecosystem leaders advancing Canada’s net-zero transition. Categories include Venture, Adopter, Funder, Ecosystem Supporter, and Scale-up honours spanning provinces nationwide.

Winners will be announced May 13 at the Climate Innovation Zone during Web Summit Vancouver. Finalists range from Indigenous communities to industrial firms and climate investors, reflecting innovation across carbon management, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture. The program elevates regional excellence onto a unified national stage.

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

UK Fintech Expands Regulatory Footprint in Canada

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London fintech LemFi has been registered as a payment service provider by the Bank of Canada under the Retail Payment Activities Act, placing its Canadian operations under federal supervision. LemFi serves a fast-growing remittance market where Canadians sent US$8.6 billion abroad in 2023.

Co-founder Rian Cochran cited regulatory commitment. LemFi supports key corridors including India, China, and the Philippines. The firm serves two million users globally, raised £53 million, and grew revenue 65%.

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

Data Centre Cooling Specialist May Change Hands

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New York-based investor KKR is exploring a potential sale of Canadian cooling specialist CoolIT Systems, according to the Financial Times. Advisors have been hired to assess buyer interest. Mubadala Investment Company holds a minority stake.

CoolIT designs liquid cooling systems for data centres, circulating low-temperature fluids to dissipate heat from servers increasingly strained by artificial intelligence workloads. The method is rapidly replacing traditional air cooling as facilities scale. A sale could command a premium over CoolIT’s reported US$270 million valuation when KKR acquired it in 2023.

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

UniUni Raises $85M for Logistics Expansion

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Richmond-based UniUni has secured USD $85 million to expand automation and operations across North America. The financing comprises a $30 million equity round led by Rockets Capital and a $55 million credit facility from Royal Bank of Canada, bringing total funding to $285 million.

Chief executive Peter Lu said proceeds will advance sortation systems and core infrastructure. UniUni now serves 65% of the United States and 80% of Canada, reaching more than 500 cities. The company targets faster, more reliable last-mile delivery for e-commerce merchants.

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