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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Calgary’s Serenity Power Wins $100K Firehood Prize

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Calgary-based clean energy startup Serenity Power has secured $100,000 from investors at The Firehood after winning the Elevate Women+ Pitch Prize in Toronto. Founded by University of Toronto Engineering graduates, the company develops solid oxide fuel cell technology that transforms diesel and other fuels into clean electricity, cutting emissions in sectors such as mining, oil and gas, and data centres.

The Elevate win follows Serenity Power’s $100,000 prize at Montréal’s Startupfest in July. Selected from 40 women-led startups, Serenity Power was among 12 finalists pitching at Elevate Festival, which celebrated Canada’s growing innovation ecosystem.

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

AltFee Expands to APAC with Clio Integration

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Vancouver-based AltFee has announced a major milestone with the launch of its integration on Clio’s Asia-Pacific servers, expanding access to value-based pricing for Australian law firms. The integration allows firms to connect AltFee and Clio seamlessly, improving management of fixed-fee matters.

According to Clio’s 2025 Legal Trends Report, 64% of mid-sized firms now use flat fees while 27% explore subscription models. AltFee’s new Matter Analytics offers real-time profitability insight and effective hourly rate tracking. Clio’s Denise Farmer said the integration supports growing demand for transparency. CEO Scott Leigh called it a “critical inflection point” for legal pricing evolution.

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

1Password Founders Cash Out Ahead of Planned IPO

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Toronto-based cybersecurity firm 1Password has raised US$100 million in a secondary sale, including a US$75 million stake sold by its founders to Halo Fund, co-founded by Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz and NHL’s Utah Mammoth, and Accel partner Ryan Sweeney. Other investors include Flume Ventures.

CEO David Faugno said the transaction provides “founder liquidity” while keeping the company’s IPO plans intact. 1Password, valued at over US$6.8 billion in its last funding round, was preparing to go public in 2024 but has opted for secondary share sales amid a sluggish market. Former CEO Jeff Shiner now serves as executive chair.

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

OpenAI Eyes Canadian Expansion, Meets with AI Minister

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OpenAI is exploring a stronger presence in Canada, including potential offices and data centre investments, according to global affairs chief Chris Lehane. Speaking at Elevate Festival in Toronto, Lehane confirmed the company met this week with AI Minister Evan Solomon and industry leaders to discuss Canada’s sovereign AI ambitions.

Lehane said Canada’s “strong AI talent, energy access, and capital” make it an ideal partner for OpenAI. The U.S.-based firm, which already collaborates with Shopify and has new partnerships with Creative Destruction Lab and the Vancouver Board of Trade, is “listening and learning” as it considers deeper Canadian engagement.

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

Jetson Named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025

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Vancouver-based Jetson has earned a place on TIME Magazine’s list of the Best Inventions of 2025, recognized for its innovative Jetson Air heat pump system. The smart, all-electric platform cuts installation costs by assessing projects remotely and completing installs within a day.

Jetson Air integrates real-time monitoring for air quality, performance, and filter changes while maintaining efficiency in temperatures as low as -30°C. CEO Stephen Lake said Jetson aims to make home electrification “smart, electric, and built for the future.” The company plans to expand beyond British Columbia into the United States.

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

Half of Canadian Office Workers Now Use AI

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A new report from CDW Canada finds that AI adoption in Canadian workplaces has surged, marking what the company calls a “tipping point.” Half of office employees now use AI at work, up from one-third last year, and access to employer-approved tools has jumped from 18% to more than 50%.

Yet only 39% of organizations have official AI policies, and just one in five employees receive formal training. CDW’s Brian Matthews warns that laggards risk falling behind. “AI has shifted from experimentation to everyday use,” he said.

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

Toronto’s Spellbook Raises $50M to Transform Legal Workflows

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Toronto-based Spellbook, an artificial intelligence company automating legal drafting and review, has raised $50 million USD in Series B financing led by Keith Rabois of Khosla Ventures, valuing the company at $350 million. The round included Threshold Ventures, Inovia Capital, and others.

Spellbook’s software integrates directly into Microsoft Word, allowing lawyers to review, draft, and negotiate contracts using AI without changing workflows. Serving nearly 4,000 firms in 80 countries, Spellbook has analyzed over 10 million contracts for clients such as Nestlé, eBay, and Kennedys. The company plans to expand its product to cover the full scope of transactional law.

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

Google Cloud Launches Gemini Enterprise to Power Workplace AI

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Google Cloud has unveiled Gemini Enterprise, an agentic AI platform designed to embed artificial intelligence into daily business operations. The system combines Google’s Gemini models, conversational technology from Agentspace, and orchestration tools to create secure, multi-step enterprise agents.

Customers already deploying Gemini Enterprise include Virgin Voyages, which reports a 40 percent boost in marketing content creation, and Macquarie Bank, which is rolling the platform out to all staff. Other adopters include Gordon Food Service and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, both citing efficiency gains. Google says Gemini Enterprise unites data, workflow automation, and decision-making in one environment.

Want to know more? Check out the source code here.

Canadian-Linked Team Converts Kidney to Universal Type

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In a medical first, researchers have successfully transplanted a kidney converted from blood type A to the universal type O, removing one of the greatest barriers in organ donation. The procedure was led by Dr. Turun Song at West China Hospital in partnership with the University of British Columbia and Vancouver-based Avivo Biomedical.

Using enzymes originally discovered at UBC, Avivo converted the kidney before transplanting it into a mismatched recipient. “This is the first time a type A kidney has been successfully converted and transplanted,” said Avivo CEO John Coleman. The breakthrough, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, could save countless lives.

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

Canada’s RBC Again Among Top Three AI Banks

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For the third consecutive year, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has held its position among the world’s top three banks for artificial intelligence adoption, according to the 2025 Evident AI Index. JPMorganChase again ranks first, followed by Capital One, with RBC maintaining third place as Canada’s highest-ranked institution.

The global benchmark evaluates 50 banks across North America and Europe on over 70 indicators. Evident cofounder Alexandra Mousavizadeh said top performers are now translating AI investments into “tangible financial gains.” RBC projects up to $1 billion in enterprise value from AI by 2027. TD Bank ranked just outside the top 10.

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