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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Aspect Biosystems, Novo Nordisk Deepen Collaboration on Diabetes Cell Therapies

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Vancouver-based Aspect Biosystems and Novo Nordisk have expanded their partnership to accelerate the development of advanced cellular medicines for diabetes. Building on a collaboration launched in 2023, the new agreement gives Aspect rights to key stem cell–derived islet and hypoimmune cell engineering technologies, with Aspect leading development, manufacturing, and commercialization.

Novo Nordisk will make an additional equity investment, provide research funding, and retain options for later-stage participation, as well as eligibility for milestones and royalties. The partnership integrates U.S. and Danish capabilities into Aspect’s Canada-anchored platform, strengthening its end-to-end cell therapy development efforts.

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

Jetson Raises $50M to Scale Home Electrification

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Vancouver-based Jetson has raised $50 million in a Series A round to scale its home electrification platform. The financing was led by Eclipse, with participation from 8VC, Activate Capital, Garage Capital, and Active Impact. Founded in 2024, Jetson focuses on all-electric heat pump systems replacing gas furnaces.

Its flagship Jetson Air product delivers whole-home heating and cooling through existing ductwork using a vertically integrated, direct-to-consumer model. The company says the funding will support U.S. expansion and platform development. Investors say the approach reduces costs, speeds installs, and improves homeowner adoption.

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

Brickeye Raises $10M to Expand Construction Tech

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Toronto-based construction technology firm Brickeye has raised $10 million in Series B financing to expand its site-monitoring platform. The company provides tools that help contractors detect water intrusion and other risks during construction. Brickeye said the funding will support product development, hiring, and sales growth in Canada and abroad.

The startup plans to extend its technology into health-care and data-centre construction projects. GreenSky Ventures, Brightspark Ventures, Export Development Canada, Beauchamp Construction, and a supplier led the round. Brickeye’s platform has been deployed on more than 3,000 projects across 20 countries.

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

Mave Raises $5M to Power Real Estate AI

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Toronto-based Mave has raised $5 million in seed funding to expand an AI operating platform for real estate brokerages and agents. Led by Staircase Ventures, the round included Relay Ventures, N49P, and Alate Partners, with Janet Bannister joining the board. The raise coincides with Mave’s platform launch, letting owners manage operations, marketing, and brand execution within one compliant system.

The company reports weekly use by over 70 percent of brokers, 8,500 agents onboarding, and live deployments across major Ontario brokerages, alongside partnerships and waitlists supporting planned North American expansion nationwide.

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

Dominion Dynamics Targets Canadian Defence Market

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Ottawa-based Dominion Dynamics has emerged with $21 million in seed financing to challenge U.S. defence giants supplying Canada. The round was led by Georgian, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation.

Led by chief executive Eliot Pence, a former Anduril executive, Dominion is developing technology that enables Canadian Rangers to transmit data from Arctic patrols back to headquarters. The tools have already been deployed in trials, with further testing planned. Dominion aims to build an interoperable intelligence system for remote operations and believes its technology will be compelling enough to win contracts in Canada and abroad.

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

Alexi Files Antitrust Counterclaims Against Clio

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Toronto-based legal AI company Alexi has filed antitrust counterclaims in U.S. federal court against Clio, vLex, and Fastcase, alleging that Clio’s $1-billion acquisition of vLex and Fastcase violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act and suppresses competition in AI-powered legal research.

The filing argues that Clio is using the acquisition and subsequent breach-of-contract litigation to block Alexi’s access to one of only three comprehensive U.S. caselaw databases, an essential input for training and operating legal AI systems. Alexi says the conduct amounts to anticompetitive behaviour, tortious interference, and “sham litigation” designed to neutralize a key competitor and stifle innovation across the legaltech market.

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

Canada Lags in AI Commercialization, Report Finds

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Canada is failing to turn world-class AI research into commercial success, according to a new report from Montreal’s Mila and consulting firm Bain & Company. While the country is home to 10 percent of the world’s top AI researchers, it attracts less than two percent of global AI venture capital.

Two-thirds of high-potential Canadian-founded startups are headquartered abroad, draining economic impact. Mila Ventures managing director Stéphane Marceau said the institute is exploring launching a venture fund to close the gap. Mila previously co-founded Element AI, which raised $340 million before being sold to ServiceNow in 2020.

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

Hootsuite Software Used by U.S. Homeland Security

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Vancouver-based Hootsuite is supplying social media management software to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under a contract that could reach nearly $2.8 million by 2029. Public records show DHS has committed $1.1 million and spent more than $454,000 so far, with the deal approved in July 2024 through federal contractor Seneca Strategic Partners.

The software supports U.S. Customs and Border Protection and includes Talkwalker, an AI-powered monitoring tool Hootsuite acquired last year. The agreement emerges as DHS faces criticism over immigration enforcement practices. Hootsuite declined to comment on customer relationships.

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

Ottawa Strikes China Deal on EV Imports

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Canada has agreed to reopen limited access to made-in-China electric vehicles in exchange for relief from Chinese tariffs on agricultural exports, including canola. Prime Minister Mark Carney secured the deal during a Beijing visit, allowing up to 49,000 Chinese EVs annually at a reduced tariff of 6.1 percent, down from 100 percent.

Ottawa says the quota represents under three percent of the overall vehicle market, but nearly 29 percent of current EV sales. Officials hope cheaper models will boost adoption toward one million annual EV sales by 2030. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer criticized the deal, while President Donald Trump signalled approval.

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

Mangrove Lithium Secures Up to $85M for Growth

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British Columbia cleantech firm Mangrove Lithium has secured structured financing of up to US$85 million to advance commercialization of its lithium refining technology. The funding, led by the Canada Growth Fund with participation from Breakthrough Energy Ventures and BMW iVentures, supports deployment in Canada and abroad.

The deal closed alongside a $9 million loan backed by Canada’s Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit and underwritten by National Bank of Canada. Mangrove uses an electrochemical process to convert impure rock extracts into battery-grade lithium hydroxide. CEO Saad Dara said the financing accelerates growth and strengthens Canada’s lithium supply chain as demand rises for electric vehicles and energy storage.

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