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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Canadian Tech Ecosystem Urged to Embrace Alternative Funding

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A Vancouver tech founder is challenging Canada’s startup culture, arguing that the Silicon Valley-inspired focus on venture capital (VC) harms many startups. Rising costs and limited VC returns highlight the need for alternative funding like bootstrapping and revenue-based financing.

With tech tools now cheaper and more accessible, founders can build sustainable businesses without chasing hypergrowth. The founder emphasizes prioritizing long-term value over vanity metrics, urging the ecosystem to redefine success beyond VC funding.

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

Foresight Canada Opens 2025 Cleantech Awards Nominations

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Foresight Canada has opened applications for its 2025 Cleantech Awards, celebrating pioneering ventures and ecosystem leaders in British Columbia, Alberta, and Atlantic Canada. Since 2020, the awards have highlighted firms like Moment Energy and Arca for significant climate impact.

British Columbia leads in electric vehicles and renewable energy, while Alberta advances in carbon capture and clean energy solutions. Atlantic Canada is emerging in wind, tidal, and ocean-based technologies. Five categories, including Startup and Scaleup Ventures of the Year, are open for nominations. Applications close February 20, 2025.

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

Top Canadian Fintech Startups to Watch in 2025

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Canada’s fintech sector is entering a growth phase, driven by rising demand for digital financial solutions and investor support. Startups like Baseline, Beacon, and Loop are leading innovations in lending, financial services for immigrants, and cross-border payments.

Vancouver’s Leasey.AI and Blossom are modernizing property management and retail investing, while Toronto-based Nmbr is transforming payroll. Uplinq’s AI-driven credit scoring and Quickly’s early payment platform further showcase Canada’s fintech strength. With strong funding and key partnerships, these startups are revolutionizing finance, improving accessibility, and driving Canada’s digital financial future.

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

Vancouver Startups Crush CES 2025 with Bold Tech

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Vancouver startups stole the show at CES 2025. Naqi Logix wowed with its Neural Earbud, turning subtle facial gestures into seamless device control. MATT3R’s K3Y transformed Teslas into AI-powered smart dashcams.

Human In Motion Robotics impressed with XoMotion, a self-balancing exoskeleton designed for natural movement and rehabilitation. From neurotech to road safety and health innovation, these B.C. trailblazers are proving Canada’s tech scene can lead on the global stage.

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

Radical Ventures Partners with Google to Boost AI Startups

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Toronto-based Radical Ventures is tackling AI startups’ access to computing power by partnering with Google Cloud. Founders in its masterclass program can receive up to US$250,000 in cloud credits and infrastructure support without needing to incorporate first.

Targeting academic researchers, Radical bridges the gap between research and commercialization. This approach contrasts with Silicon Valley VCs stockpiling chips. Radical also secures flexible terms with cloud providers, offering lower costs and access to cutting-edge technology, ensuring their portfolio companies can scale effectively in today’s competitive AI landscape.

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

Small Businesses Thrive with AI, Study Finds

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A Salesforce survey reveals 91% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) using AI report increased revenue. Tools like Salesforce’s Agentforce help companies like Norway’s reMarkable scale customer service efficiently. Growing SMBs prioritize AI, with 78% planning to invest more next year, compared to 55% of struggling peers.

AI streamlines operations through marketing optimization, automated service chatbots, and sales support. Data management, integrated systems, and security are crucial for success. Companies lagging in AI risk falling behind as autonomous AI agents emerge.

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

Shakepay Clears Regulatory Hurdle as Investment Dealer

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Montréal-based crypto platform Shakepay is now a CIRO-certified investment dealer, becoming Québec’s first crypto firm to meet this rigorous standard. Customers trading Bitcoin and Ethereum gain CIRO oversight and $1 million CAD insurance coverage for cash via the CIPF, though not for crypto assets.

Shakepay split into Shakepay Inc., focusing on CIRO compliance, and Shakepay Financial, managing cash and payments. Co-founded in 2015, Shakepay pivoted to crypto trading in 2018 and now serves 1.4 million users. Amid growing regulation, Shakepay aims to bolster trust in Canadian crypto markets, positioning Bitcoin as a secure, long-term investment.

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

    Canada’s Brain Drain: A Crisis Amid Tech Talent Loss

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    Canada faces a growing brain drain as talent heads to the US, attracted by higher wages and abundant tech opportunities. Industry leaders blame Justin Trudeau’s leadership for worsening the problem, with Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke and VC Boris Wertz criticizing economic policies that stifled innovation. Both highlight declining business investment and productivity per capita.

    Optimism rises as Trudeau’s resignation opens the door to change. Wertz and Lutke see potential for 2025 under Pierre Poilievre’s leadership, urging reforms to rekindle innovation. Solving brain drain will require tackling systemic issues to restore Canada’s tech sector competitiveness.

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

    Cohere Launches AI System with RBC as First Client

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    Toronto-based AI leader Cohere has unveiled its North platform, allowing businesses to build AI-powered assistants for tasks like research and customer service. North integrates Cohere’s large language models (LLMs) with clients’ systems, offering security-focused AI solutions tailored for business.

    RBC, the platform’s first marquee client, will use North for internal staff applications. Cohere touts its superior accuracy compared to Google and Microsoft, emphasizing ease of integration into existing workflows. President Martin Kon aims to demonstrate the potential of AI to corporate Canada, which he has criticized for being slow to adopt advanced technology.

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

    Legal-Tech Firm Alexi Introduces Advanced AI for Lawyers

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    Toronto-based Alexi is leading legal-tech innovation with its AI platform, designed to simplify litigation and improve client outcomes. Founded in 2017 by Mark Doble, Alexi claims its tools reduce routine tasks by 80%. The newly launched Advanced Legal Reasoning (ALR) platform analyzes complex legal files in minutes, providing insights into case strengths, weaknesses, and strategies.

    Lawyers can upload thousands of documents, generate research memos, and ask nuanced questions like, “What’s the weakest part of our claim?” Trusted by firms such as McLeod Law and Stewart McKelvey, Alexi aims to redefine how litigation is managed.

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