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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

DIGITAL Drives Quantum Tech with $5M Co-Investment

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DIGITAL, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies, announced $5M in co-investments to accelerate quantum technology commercialization. Supported by Canada’s National Quantum Strategy and industry partners, the initiative will leverage $7M in additional contributions.

Projects include Verge Ag’s collaboration with D-Wave to create real-time agricultural decision tools, Quantum Bridge Technologies’ quantum-resistant cryptography solution for critical infrastructure, and Xanadu Quantum’s open-source quantum computing platform.

DIGITAL CEO Sue Paish highlighted quantum’s transformative potential across key sectors, while Minister François-Philippe Champagne emphasized its societal and economic benefits. DIGITAL has driven 185 products and 730 patents since 2018.

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

Hopper Eyes $10 Billion Valuation with IPO Plans

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Montreal-based Hopper plans a dual listing on the TSX and Nasdaq, potentially valuing the company at up to $10 billion. Known for its travel price prediction app, Hopper serves millennials and Gen Z while powering B2B travel platforms for companies like Capital One.

Founder Frederic Lalonde emphasizes profitability before the IPO, highlighting the company’s $1B revenue goal. Backed by $740M from investors including Goldman Sachs and Inovia Capital, Hopper’s competitive edge lies in its AI-driven data algorithms. Lalonde’s journey from hacker to industry disruptor underscores Hopper’s moonshot success.

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

BlackRock’s Decarbonization Partners Fuels Orennia’s Growth

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Calgary’s Orennia has closed its Series C funding round, led by Decarbonization Partners, a joint venture of BlackRock and Temasek. The company’s Ion_AI platform uses cutting-edge AI to deliver actionable insights across power, renewables, and carbon capture.

CEO Brook Papau highlighted the platform’s industry impact, with 95% of clients reporting accelerated workflows. Dr. Meghan Sharp of Decarbonization Partners called Orennia’s tools “critical for enabling decarbonization.”

The funding will expand Ion_AI’s capabilities, empowering global energy transition sectors like hydrogen and data centers. Orennia continues driving innovation to meet the climate challenge.

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

Toronto Panel Tackles Fintech’s Challenges for 2025

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On January 28, 2025, Canada’s fintech leaders will gather at OneEleven, Toronto, for Payments, Platforms + Progress: What’s Next for Fintech in 2025. Hosted by Category Communications, the event will feature Tal Schwartz of Exit North Ventures, Andrew Graham of Borrowell, Sarah Sheikh of Loop, Yvette Wu of Yield Exchange, and Laviva Mazhar of Luge Capital.

Panelists will discuss challenges like stalled open banking legislation, trade tariffs, and the weak dollar while exploring AI’s role in fintech. Startup founders and fintech enthusiasts are invited to register for this exclusive event.

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

Toast Co-Founders Slam Tech’s Toxic Culture

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Toast co-founders April and Marissa released a powerful statement addressing systemic misogyny and inequality in tech, following Meta’s rollback of hate speech policies and Mark Zuckerberg’s controversial comments on “masculine energy.” Highlighting cases like Hamed Abbasi’s sexual assault trial and Canada’s widening gender pay gap in tech, they criticized leaders prioritizing profit over accountability.

Toast called on male leaders to take meaningful action against workplace toxicity, urging the industry to protect women and marginalized groups. The statement concluded with an invitation to a virtual support group, creating a safe space for women in tech to share and find solidarity.

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

Weston Family Funds Alzheimer’s Tech Startup

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Canada’s Weston family, known for philanthropy, is now backing innovation. Wittington Investments’ new fund led a $14M financing for Grey Matter Neurosciences, a startup licensing focused ultrasound technology from Sunnybrook Research Institute.This non-invasive technology, pioneered by Dr. Kullervo Hynynen, aims to treat Alzheimer’s by enhancing cognition using a helmet-like device. Grey Matter’s CEO, Jeffrey Coull, plans safety trials with seed funding.

Jim Orlando of Wittington Ventures said the fund seeks to close Canada’s commercialization gap in health tech. The deal is supported by TIAP, Ontario Brain Institute, and others.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on the Globe and Mail.

AI-Generated Campaign by Boardy Sparks Outrage

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Toronto’s Boardy, an AI introduction platform, ignited controversy with emails mimicking Donald Trump’s tone. Sent on Inauguration Day, the emails featured gender-biased comments: women received appearance-focused feedback, while men’s messages emphasized professionalism.

Tidal Equality’s Anna Dewar Gully was praised for her “perfectly shaped eyebrows,” while marketing director Natalie Williams endured comments about her jewelry. Men, including Boardy CEO Andrew D’Souza, received leadership-centric remarks. Women like Milly Barker criticized the tone-deaf campaign, highlighting harassment risks. With 91% of LinkedIn’s women facing inappropriate messages, Boardy’s attempt to “#MakeLinkedInFunAgain” backfired. CEO D’Souza apologized, vowing change.

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

Canadian Banks Rely on Risky Screen Scraping Practices

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Half of Canada’s major banks use “screen scraping,” a controversial method that accesses customer accounts using login credentials, The Logic reports. BMO, RBC, and National Bank are among the institutions employing this practice, which enables apps to aggregate financial data but exposes users to privacy risks.

While nine million Canadians have used screen scraping, privacy advocates warn of cyber threats. Banks’ terms of service typically prohibit credential sharing, yet the lack of open banking alternatives has led to reliance on this insecure method. Experts like Koho CEO Daniel Eberhard blame Canada’s stalled open banking progress for the continued risks.

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

Global CEOs Predict Growth Despite Inflation Woes

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According to PwC’s 28th Annual Global CEO Survey, released during the World Economic Forum, 60% of global CEOs foresee increased economic growth in 2025. However, challenges persist: macroeconomic volatility (29%) and inflation (27%) rank as top concerns. Optimism about Generative AI is rising, with 49% expecting profitability gains in 2025.

Climate-related investments are proving lucrative, with 33% of CEOs reporting revenue increases. Yet, reinvention remains critical—42% fear their firms won’t survive the decade without significant change. CEOs emphasize agility, innovation, and trust in AI as keys to navigating a dynamic global economy.

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

Borderless AI Raises $5M With Cohere Co-Founders’ Backing

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Toronto-based Borderless AI has secured a US$5 million seed extension backed by Cohere co-founders Aidan Gomez and Ivan Zhang. This funding adds to the US$27 million raised in March 2024. Borderless, led by CEO Willson Cross, develops AI tools to automate onboarding and paperwork for remote international hires.

Now available in Canada and California, the company also launched HRGPT, a free tool for handling HR inquiries and tasks. Initially built on Cohere’s language models, Borderless now uses multiple AI providers. Gomez and Zhang continue investing in AI startups, expanding their growing angel portfolios.

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