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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Canada Lags in AI Commercialization, Report Finds

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Canada is failing to turn world-class AI research into commercial success, according to a new report from Montreal’s Mila and consulting firm Bain & Company. While the country is home to 10 percent of the world’s top AI researchers, it attracts less than two percent of global AI venture capital.

Two-thirds of high-potential Canadian-founded startups are headquartered abroad, draining economic impact. Mila Ventures managing director Stéphane Marceau said the institute is exploring launching a venture fund to close the gap. Mila previously co-founded Element AI, which raised $340 million before being sold to ServiceNow in 2020.

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

Hootsuite Software Used by U.S. Homeland Security

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Vancouver-based Hootsuite is supplying social media management software to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under a contract that could reach nearly $2.8 million by 2029. Public records show DHS has committed $1.1 million and spent more than $454,000 so far, with the deal approved in July 2024 through federal contractor Seneca Strategic Partners.

The software supports U.S. Customs and Border Protection and includes Talkwalker, an AI-powered monitoring tool Hootsuite acquired last year. The agreement emerges as DHS faces criticism over immigration enforcement practices. Hootsuite declined to comment on customer relationships.

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

Ottawa Strikes China Deal on EV Imports

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Canada has agreed to reopen limited access to made-in-China electric vehicles in exchange for relief from Chinese tariffs on agricultural exports, including canola. Prime Minister Mark Carney secured the deal during a Beijing visit, allowing up to 49,000 Chinese EVs annually at a reduced tariff of 6.1 percent, down from 100 percent.

Ottawa says the quota represents under three percent of the overall vehicle market, but nearly 29 percent of current EV sales. Officials hope cheaper models will boost adoption toward one million annual EV sales by 2030. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer criticized the deal, while President Donald Trump signalled approval.

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

Mangrove Lithium Secures Up to $85M for Growth

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British Columbia cleantech firm Mangrove Lithium has secured structured financing of up to US$85 million to advance commercialization of its lithium refining technology. The funding, led by the Canada Growth Fund with participation from Breakthrough Energy Ventures and BMW iVentures, supports deployment in Canada and abroad.

The deal closed alongside a $9 million loan backed by Canada’s Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit and underwritten by National Bank of Canada. Mangrove uses an electrochemical process to convert impure rock extracts into battery-grade lithium hydroxide. CEO Saad Dara said the financing accelerates growth and strengthens Canada’s lithium supply chain as demand rises for electric vehicles and energy storage.

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

Canada Rocket Company Raises $6.2M to Build Launch Systems

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Canada Rocket Company has launched with $6.2 million in seed funding led by BDC Capital and Garage Capital, aiming to build domestic launch capability. The Toronto-based startup plans two rockets: a light-duty vehicle deployable within 96 hours and a reusable medium-lift system for low Earth orbit.

Additional backers include Ripple Ventures, Panache Ventures, Northside Ventures, and Cold Capital. CEO Hugh Kolias said the company targets a first launch by 2028, responding to federal calls for sovereign access to space. While Canada relies on foreign launch providers, Canada Rocket Company is assembling local expertise, including former SpaceX engineers David Tenny and Eric Kupp, to change that.

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

Borderless AI launches ADP Marketplace integration

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Toronto-based Borderless AI has launched a live integration with ADP Workforce Now, now available on both the U.S. ADP Marketplace and ADP Marketplace Canada. The integration allows organizations to manage global employment, payroll, and contractors directly within ADP’s core HR platform, supporting compliant hiring in more than 170 countries.

The launch expands access to Borderless AI’s employer-of-record services for ADP customers building distributed teams, while reducing manual data entry and disconnected workflows. Borderless AI is currently the only Canadian-owned EOR provider listed on the ADP Marketplace and one of just two available in both the U.S. and Canada.

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

Helcim Launches Browser-Based Payment Extension

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Calgary-based Helcim has launched the Helcim Payment Extension, a browser-based tool that injects Helcim’s interchange-plus payments directly into third-party vertical SaaS platforms. The extension allows merchants to use Helcim inside popular business software such as Jobber, Clio, and Jane App, without switching platforms or accepting bundled payment providers.

Payment data flows automatically between the software and Helcim, keeping records in sync. The extension supports more than 20 platforms at launch, with plans to expand to over 100 integrations by year-end.

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

Former Defence Minister Backs New Tech Venture

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Former federal defence minister Harjit Sajjan and technology entrepreneur Hunter Scharfe have launched Juno Industries, a Vancouver-based defence technology company developing autonomous systems for Canada and allied nations. Sajjan will serve as executive chairman, with Scharfe as chief executive officer.

Juno closed a $3 million seed round in fall 2025, backed by Canadian entrepreneurs including D-Wave and Sanctuary AI founder Geordie Rose, now a senior advisor. Sajjan said the venture reflects priorities from his tenure, citing predictability and a clear path for defence innovation. With Ottawa committing roughly $80 billion to military modernization, Juno aims to advance dual-use autonomy for high-consequence environments at scale.

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

AI Redraws Workplace Norms in Canada

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As artificial intelligence spreads through daily work, it is reshaping workplace norms alongside productivity. Research from Microsoft Canada shows 59 percent of Canadians believe employees should ask permission before using AI to transcribe meetings, while 63 percent say consent is required for recording.

Expectations are shifting as organizations adopt new tools. The study found AI already influences collaboration: 63 percent say it shapes team culture, 48 percent cite new ways to collaborate, and 47 percent report more confidence before sending important messages. For leaders, the findings raise questions about trust.

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Science&Humans Raises $10M to Scale Hormone Care

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Toronto-based Science&Humans has raised $10 million to accelerate growth after seven years of bootstrapping its hormone-health telemedicine platform. The Series A includes $7 million in equity led by Pender Ventures and $3 million in venture debt from CIBC Innovation Banking, marking the firm’s first external capital beyond a prior BDC credit line.

Science&Humans connects patients with specialists to diagnose and treat hormone imbalances affecting men and women. The company reports seven-figure annual revenue and nearly 60,000 patients served. CEO Aftab Pashaw said rising awareness has pushed hormone health into the mainstream, creating an opportunity to scale nationally, particularly through employer and insurer partnerships.

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