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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

TD Bank Deepens AI Commitment in America

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TD Bank Group is expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities in the U.S. with a new Layer 6 office in New York City. The AI research hub, originally based in Toronto’s MaRS District, will open later this year at One Vanderbilt with 20 specialists focused on Generative AI and machine learning.

TD says the move will strengthen U.S. operations and support innovation. “This new office establishes a strong foundation,” said TD Bank CEO Leo Salom. The expansion is part of TD’s broader strategy to embed AI across banking services and operations.

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

Calgary’s Startup Scene Hits $1B Milestone

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Platform Calgary-supported startups raised a record $323 million in 2024, according to the organization’s new Impact Report. Since 2018, startups in its network have collectively raised over $1 billion. The Platform Innovation Centre hosted more than 140,000 visitors last year and now supports 623 companies, including 476 based locally.

Programs like Startup 101 and Alberta Catalyzer helped create 6,750 jobs and generate $235 million in revenue. The report highlights strong inclusion metrics, with one-third of companies founded by women or racialized entrepreneurs. CEO Terry Rock says Calgary is now “setting the pace” in the global startup race.

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

Reusables Expands Smart Bin Network with Seed Funding

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Vancouver-based Reusables has raised an oversubscribed $3.6 million seed round co-led by StandUp Ventures and Amplify Capital. The funding will accelerate deployment of the company’s hardware-enabled SaaS platform for institutional foodservice reuse.

Founded by Jason Hawkins and Anastasia Kiku, Reusables pivoted from restaurants to focus on universities and hospitals, enabling seamless reuse of food containers via smart bins and on-site cleaning. The platform avoids transport emissions and cuts packaging costs. UCLA and UC Riverside launched Reusables on Earth Day. With revenue on track to triple and 34+ locations already live, the firm is building a scalable solution to packaging waste.

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

Meet the 14 Startups in Google Canada’s 2025 Accelerator

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Google’s 2025 Startups Accelerator: Canada program has launched with 14 innovative startups from across the country. This year marks a record five companies from Montréal, joining ventures from Vancouver, Saskatoon, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Toronto. The equity-free accelerator supports founders solving problems in health, energy, finance, and education with Google AI.

Selected startups include Luxsonic (VR for radiology), ConeLabs (AI infrastructure inspection), and Singularity Health (digital chronic care). Over three months, participants receive mentorship, AI tools, and investor access. Since 2020, 120 Canadian startups in the program have raised $480M and created 1,100 jobs.

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

Canadian Hydrogen Tech Gets Scale-Up Boost

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Mississauga-based Next Hydrogen Solutions has secured a $5 million working capital debt facility from Export Development Canada. The funding will support the company’s scale-up of its patented water electrolysis technology for green hydrogen production. Founded in 2007, Next Hydrogen holds 40 patents and recently completed extended durability testing of its GEN2 electrolysis cells.

CEO Raveel Afzaal emphasized the firm’s role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors globally. EDC’s Tushar Handiekar called the partnership a strategic opportunity to elevate Canadian cleantech on the world stage. The support reflects growing global momentum for clean hydrogen innovation.

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

TD Tech Leader Shares Lessons on Lifelong Learning

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Chitra Phal, Associate Vice President of KYC Engineering at TD Bank Group, credits continuous learning and mentorship with shaping her successful tech career. In a recent interview, Phal emphasized the value of certifications, stretch assignments, and industry events like TD’s TechCon in future-proofing skills.

Mentorship helped her transition into the Canadian workforce, while sponsorship accelerated her path to leadership. Today, she leads teams building secure, innovative customer solutions. Phal says technical and soft skills alike—plus alignment with corporate values—are key to long-term success in tech.

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

Misinformation Surges on Facebook Amid Canada’s News Ban

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Amid Canada’s news ban on Meta platforms, political misinformation is proliferating ahead of the April 28 election. Canada Proud, a right-leaning Facebook page with over 620,000 followers, is drawing scrutiny for misleading posts about new Prime Minister Mark Carney. A viral ad linked Carney to Ghislaine Maxwell, despite no substantial ties.

Experts warn Meta’s ban on verified news has left Canadians vulnerable to fake sites and AI-generated content. Canada Proud has outpaced official party accounts in engagement and invested over $250,000 in ads since January. Analysts say Canada’s digital ecosystem is sliding toward disinformation and division.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The New York Times.

Vector Institute Releases First AI Model Scorecard

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Toronto’s Vector Institute has released its first “state of evaluation” report comparing 11 leading AI models across 16 benchmarks. The non-profit assessed models from OpenAI, Meta, Cohere, Alibaba, and others on tasks involving math, coding, reasoning, and domain-specific knowledge in areas such as finance and history.

The goal is to provide an unbiased, comprehensive framework to help businesses and policymakers navigate competing claims from AI developers. “We wanted to provide a very objective and more comprehensive evaluation,” said Deval Pandya, Vector’s vice-president of AI engineering. The study could guide AI adoption decisions and inform regulatory understanding.

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

Vintage EV Conversions Drive Into Canadian Market

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Two Canadian firms have joined forces to electrify classic cars and commercial fleets. Richmond’s BlueForce Energy and Ontario-based Arc Motor Company have announced a strategic partnership to develop bespoke electrification kits for vintage vehicles and chassis-specific fleet solutions. The goal is to preserve automotive heritage while enabling zero-emission performance.

BlueForce VP Jayde Zhou called it “future-proofing automotive history,” while Arc CEO Sloane Paul emphasized the sustainability benefits for fleet operators. The collaboration offers vintage enthusiasts a path to compliance and reliability, while supporting modern environmental goals. The companies say the partnership blends nostalgia with next-gen clean mobility.

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

TruthSayer AI Launches AI Hedge Fund for All

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Vancouver-born fintech startup TruthSayer AI has launched what it calls “the world’s first AI Hedge Fund-in-a-Box.” Targeted at retail investors, small hedge funds, and family offices, the platform offers machine learning-based investment signals and strategies without traditional overhead costs.

Founded by Nizar Assanie, the system analyzes vast financial datasets—from earnings calls to insider trades—to deliver actionable insights. TruthSayer claims win rates of 85% on trades, with pricing starting at $3 per month. Leveraging LLM-as-a-Service architecture and open-source models, the company says it achieves 40% lower costs than proprietary rivals. A new funding round is expected in the months ahead.

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