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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

DMZ Backs Women-Led Startups with $535K Investment

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Calgary-based Cashew secured $190,000 in funding at DMZ’s Women Innovation Summit, making it the top-funded startup at the event. The AI-driven market research platform received $150,000 from DMZ Ventures and $40,000 from The Firehood.

In total, $535,000 was invested across four women-led startups, including Migranium, Edie Farming, and Metronome. The summit, now in its third year, expanded funding opportunities through DMZ Ventures’ first-time participation. Bobbie Racette of Virtual Gurus was named one of DMZ’s 2025 Women of the Year. The event underscored the impact of women-led startups on innovation and economic growth.

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

Toronto Startup Pays $100/Hour to Train AI Security Guard

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Toronto-based ArcadianAI is reshaping security with Ranger, the world’s first AI security guard. Unlike traditional systems, Ranger sees, analyzes, and responds to threats in real-time, reducing false positives and streamlining incident detection. To refine its capabilities, ArcadianAI is paying security professionals $100 per hour to train the AI by analyzing footage and providing feedback.

Industries such as airport security and private schools are already participating. CEO Marie Roohi emphasizes accessibility, stating, “Security should be a right, not a privilege.” With Ranger, ArcadianAI aims to provide affordable, intelligent security to businesses worldwide.

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

Thinkific Reports Narrowed Losses, Positive Cash Flow in 2024

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Vancouver-based Thinkific significantly narrowed its losses in 2024, reporting a net loss of $200,000, down from $9.8 million the previous year. The online course platform achieved positive cash flow, increasing to $7 million from a $5.4 million loss in 2023.

Revenue from Thinkific’s commerce segment surged 73% in Q4, while Thinkific Plus grew 27%. CEO Greg Smith called 2024 a “pivotal year” as the company shifted to growth investments. However, CFO Corinne Hua warned of challenges in expanding gross merchandise value, which remained flat at $114.7 million. Thinkific continues to compete against Absorb and Coursera.

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

1Password Introduces Location-Based Access for Logins

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Toronto’s 1Password has introduced a new feature that allows users to associate passwords with specific physical locations. The Nearby section on the app’s home tab will now display relevant logins based on a user’s proximity to saved locations. Users can add locations while on-site or via a map view.

The feature helps reduce clutter by prioritizing frequently used credentials, such as health cards at clinics or travel documents at airports. AgileBits assures that location data is stored locally and never shared. Users can disable the feature at any time for added security.

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

Former Allocadia Co-founder Unveils New Venture, SIX

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Kristine Steuart, former CEO of Allocadia, has launched SIX with Co-CEO T.J. Begley to revolutionize customer engagement. Backed by $1.3 million in pre-seed funding from Inovia Capital, Panache Ventures, and angel investors, SIX moves beyond traditional, increasingly ineffective marketing channels like email and digital ads.

The platform empowers frontline teams to create personalized, one-on-one customer connections at scale. With an experienced leadership team, including Katherine Berry and Mike Squance, SIX is already delivering results for early adopters. The company aims to reshape customer experience through tailored interactions rather than mass communication.

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

Autonomous Oil Spill Tech Gains Global Interest

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Toronto-based Clean Oil International has successfully tested its AI-driven, solar-powered vessel for oil spill cleanup in Vancouver. The autonomous platform, founded by Babak Khodaparast, processes spills five times faster than conventional methods, cutting costs by 50%.

Built from recyclable materials and using patented nano-filter technology, it reduces oil contamination to just 3 ppm. The vessel also supports fire suppression, hazardous waste collection, and military applications. With growing global interest from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, Clean Oil’s award-winning technology aligns with major decarbonization efforts worldwide.

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

Wealthica Expands Digital Suite with Family Office Software

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Montreal-based Wealthica has introduced Family Office software to enhance financial oversight for high-net-worth families and advisors. The platform offers advanced reporting, portfolio aggregation, and cross-institution tracking to simplify multi-generational wealth management. Clients can monitor diverse assets in real time through a centralized dashboard.

Wealthica, which manages $35 billion in aggregated assets, recently expanded its offerings with an API connecting to 150 Canadian financial institutions. “We aim to foster innovation and streamline financial management,” said managing director Jeff Matte. Wealthica continues to evolve, following last year’s mobile app revamp and the launch of Unlimited Connect.

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

Vancouver’s Emtar Secures $18.5M for Wireless Innovation

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Vancouver-based Emtar Technologies has secured an $18.5 million angel investment round to advance its energy-efficient wireless edge intelligence solutions. Founded in 2023, the fabless semiconductor company is developing next-generation system-on-chip technologies integrating high-speed I/O, wireless connectivity, and self-computing capabilities.

Notably, its WiFi 7 technology exceeds 30 Gbps speeds with ultra-low latency, targeting VR gaming and cloud computing. Emtar’s Software Defined Radio allows network upgrades without hardware changes. CEO Alvis Huang says the funding has accelerated research and industry partnerships, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to delivering secure, high-impact wireless solutions.

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

Shopify’s AI Store Builder Aims to Simplify E-Commerce

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Shopify has introduced a new AI-powered tool that enables merchants to quickly set up and design their online stores. Announced by Shopify President Harley Finkelstein, the feature allows users to input business descriptions, generating up to three free custom themes instantly. The update aims to lower the barrier for entrepreneurs entering e-commerce.

Meanwhile, Shopify’s latest SEC filings have fueled speculation about a potential U.S. redomicile. The company voluntarily filed a 10-K form—a move that suggests deeper financial alignment with U.S. markets. Shopify has not confirmed whether relocation is planned.

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

Turing Award Recognizes Canadian AI Leader

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Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton have received the 2024 ACM A.M. Turing Award for their foundational work in reinforcement learning, a major pillar of artificial intelligence. Their research, dating back to the 1980s, introduced key algorithms such as temporal difference learning.

Sutton, a University of Alberta professor and former DeepMind scientist, and Barto, a professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts, co-authored Reinforcement Learning: An Introduction, the field’s definitive text. While widely celebrated, Sutton remains skeptical of AI’s current trajectory, arguing that today’s systems mimic intelligence but fail to learn from experience.

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