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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Canadian Sleep Tech Firm Collapses Amid Tariff Troubles

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Toronto-based sleep tech company Smart Nora has filed for bankruptcy, citing poor market conditions, a funding gap, and tariff-related challenges. Founded in 2015 through Kickstarter, Smart Nora sold over 100,000 anti-snoring devices, earning $30 million in lifetime revenue. The July 11 filing lists over $4.3 million in liabilities—including loans from RBC, BDC, and Eastern Ontario CFDC—and just $40,474 in assets.

CEO Behrouz Hariri blamed volatile U.S. tariffs and delayed investments for the company’s collapse. Despite appearances on Dragons’ Den and efforts to launch a second-gen product, customer shipments stalled and the company ultimately ran out of capital.

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

Field Software Firm Scales Across Border

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Calgary-based Aimsio, a provider of field operations software, has incorporated as a U.S. C Corporation and established a regional headquarters in Houston, Texas. The move reflects Aimsio’s continued growth and aims to deepen relationships with U.S. customers and partners. CEO Ash Esmaeili described the expansion as a strategic milestone positioning Aimsio at the center of North America’s heavy industry.

Founded in 2013, the B2B SaaS firm helps industrial firms digitize dispatch, ticketing, timesheets, and invoicing. The Houston office will support business development, customer success, and partner engagement, while Calgary remains the company’s innovation hub.

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

B.C. Funds Innovation in Textile Recycling

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Vancouver-based Debrand has received over $300,000 from B.C.’s Plastics Action Fund to advance R&D into recycling plastic-based textiles. The grant supports Debrand’s development of automated sortation and material analysis tools aimed at diverting garments from landfills and integrating them into the circular economy.

Cofounded in 2008 by Amelia Eleiter and Wes Baker, Debrand serves major brands including Lululemon and Canada Goose. The company recently opened U.S. operations in Ohio and expanded its Surrey, B.C. facility. Backed by a 2022 investment from WM, Debrand is addressing a critical gap in textile waste infrastructure.

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

GeologicAI Raises $60M for Global Scale

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Calgary’s GeologicAI has secured $60 million in Series B funding to expand its AI-driven mineral exploration platform globally. Led by Blue Earth Capital, the round drew support from BHP Ventures, Rio Tinto, and Breakthrough Energy.

GeologicAI’s platform scans drill core using high-resolution sensors and machine learning to deliver real-time geological insights, improving discovery rates while reducing environmental impact. CEO Grant Sanden said the firm now operates on five continents and will use the capital to scale in key mining regions. The investment highlights mining’s shift toward digitization and sustainability amid growing demand for transition minerals.

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

Mangrove Expands as Lithium Risks Rise

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Vancouver’s Mangrove Lithium has announced a major expansion of its refining capabilities, aiming to produce 20,000 tonnes annually of battery-grade lithium—enough to power 500,000 electric vehicles. The move follows China’s proposal to ban lithium processing tech exports, intensifying global supply concerns.

Mangrove’s Delta-based facility, the first of its kind in North America, will integrate spodumene concentrate processing and bolster energy independence. Backed by $35 million in funding, the company has signed offtake MoUs with multiple U.S. battery gigafactories. Recognized by Foresight Canada and the Global Cleantech 100, Mangrove positions itself as a key player in securing domestic lithium supply.

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

BDC Expands $800M Loan Guarantee Program

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The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has added RBC to its list of partner lenders for its Business Accelerator Loan Program, aimed at supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs. The program offers loans between $25,000 and $500,000 to businesses under $10 million in revenue and over one year old.

BDC guarantees up to 85% of the loan, with RBC determining rates up to prime plus five percent. The Crown corporation has pledged $800 million in loan guarantees and hopes to grow that number. BDC reports strong uptake from marginalized founders and aims to reverse Canada’s declining entrepreneurship rates.

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

Genetec Expands Montreal HQ, UK Office

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Montreal-based Genetec is expanding its headquarters and UK office to support rapid workforce growth and rising demand for its physical security software. Known for its Security Center SaaS platform, the company provides unified video surveillance, access control, and forensic analysis tools.

Genetec’s global headcount has grown 65% since 2020, now surpassing 2,100 employees across 20 offices. Its 400,000-square-foot Montreal campus includes R&D, commercial teams, and an Experience Centre. Vice President Andrew Elvish said the newly expanded offices are “centres of innovation.” Genetec serves 42,000 customers in 150+ countries and is a repeat winner of Montreal’s Top Employer awards.

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

RBC Invests in Toronto Fintech d1g1t

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Royal Bank of Canada is investing in d1g1t, a Toronto fintech modernizing wealth management through its integrated enterprise platform. The deal, co-led by JAM FINTOP, enables RBC to leverage d1g1t’s real-time analytics engine across its $5 trillion wealth management division. RBC’s Barrie Laver highlighted the firm’s financial engineering expertise and product focus.

CEO Dan Rosen called the partnership a “major milestone.” The technology supports reporting, trading, compliance, and client engagement. RBC joins other firms using d1g1t, including Northern Light and Gresham. The investment reflects RBC’s continued push toward advanced tech for digital-first client and advisor experiences.

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

Rogers Just Went to Space

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Lost in the woods? Now you can text for help. Rogers just launched a satellite-to-mobile service that turns any smartphone into a satellite phone—for free, during beta. With coverage spanning five million+ square kilometres, the service supports texting and 911 access in even Canada’s most remote spots.

SAR Alberta is already using it, calling it “a game changer.” After beta wraps in October, it’s free on Rogers’ Ultimate Plan or $15/month. Next up: data, apps, and voice. CEO Tony Staffieri says it’s about saving lives and setting wireless milestones. And yes, it works on the shores of Hudson Bay.

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

WonderFi’s Messy Exit

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The drama at WonderFi isn’t over yet. As the Toronto crypto firm agrees to sell to Robinhood for $250M, cracks are showing. Proxy firm Glass Lewis slammed the deal’s process, calling it “clearly suboptimal.” Why? WonderFi locked in an exclusivity deal with Robinhood—before getting two better offers.

Then came the payouts: $6M to an activist investor to stay quiet and $1.8M to the board chair for moonlighting as a banker. Rival bidder Questrade? Ignored. A WonderFi rep insists it was all above board. But with internal rifts and governance concerns piling up, this merger’s future looks anything but chill.

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