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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Vancouver Moves to Become Bitcoin Capital

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Vancouver is aiming to be North America’s bitcoin capital. City Council approved Mayor Ken Sim’s motion to explore bitcoin-friendly policies, including accepting bitcoin for taxes and holding it in reserves.

Sim, a vocal crypto enthusiast, believes bitcoin’s performance and inflation hedge make it a smart addition to the city’s portfolio. Vancouver’s crypto history includes hosting the first bitcoin ATM and Canada’s first crypto-accepting nightclub.Critics warn of risks from bitcoin’s volatility and legal challenges under municipal and federal laws. The council’s findings will determine if Vancouver can lead in municipal cryptocurrency adoption.

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

D-Wave Raises $175M to Advance Quantum Computing

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D-Wave Quantum has raised $175 million USD to support technical development and operations, ending 2024 with an expected $160 million in cash. CEO Alan Baratz called the funding “a substantial improvement” to the company’s financial strength.

Despite 25 years of development, D-Wave remains in early stages, facing heavy losses. Q3 revenue dropped 27% year-over-year to $1.9 million, while net losses rose 41% to $23 million. Founded in Canada and now headquartered in Palo Alto, D-Wave retains strong ties to Burnaby, BC. Shares, trading at $3.91, reflect both challenges and recent growth.

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

Montréal’s Flare Secures $30M USD for Cybersecurity Expansion

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Montréal-based Flare has raised $30 million USD to expand its AI-driven cybersecurity software across North America and Europe. Led by Base10 Partners, with backing from Fonds de solidarité FTQ and returning investors, the funding will scale Flare’s threat monitoring platform and grow its 100-person team.

Flare’s software detects leaked credentials and dark web activity, using AI to proactively reset passwords and alert security teams. CEO Norman Menz highlighted its effectiveness, claiming a 98% accuracy rate in identifying cyber threats. Founded in 2017, Flare’s solutions now serve sectors beyond finance, including health, tech, and pharmaceuticals.

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

WELL Health Plans $285M Spinoff After Equity Raise

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WELL Health is splitting its operations into two companies: one for healthcare delivery and a new spinoff, Wellstar, to provide services to other health providers. The Vancouver-based firm raised $50.4 million at a $285 million valuation, with investment from Mawer, Edgepoint, and PenderFund.

Wellstar will incorporate two newly acquired, unnamed tech firms. WELL Health COO Amir Javidan will become CEO of Wellstar, with WELL retaining majority ownership. Well’s tech services generated $15.6M in quarterly revenue—10% of clinical services earnings but with higher margins—highlighting the spinoff’s growth potential.

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

Air Canada Buys First Domestic Low-Carbon Jet Fuel

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In a sustainability milestone, Air Canada purchased Canada’s first batch of domestically produced low-carbon aviation fuel (LCAF) from Parkland’s Burnaby Refinery. Made from non-food-grade canola and tallow, the 101,000-litre pilot batch positions Canada as a player in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

CEO Michael Rousseau called this “a critical first step” in reducing emissions. British Columbia’s government praised the achievement, citing forward-thinking policies. Parkland’s Ferio Pugliese highlighted the collaboration’s impact on aviation’s net-zero goals. LCAF offers lower emissions and compatibility with existing aircraft, marking a transformative moment in Canadian aviation sustainability.

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

Sanctuary AI Advances General-Purpose Robot Technology

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Vancouver-based Sanctuary AI has unveiled dexterous robotic hands with 21 degrees of freedom, a milestone in general-purpose robotics. The hands, capable of in-hand manipulation, were developed using miniaturized hydraulic valves, offering unmatched speed, strength, and durability.

Interim CEO James Wells emphasized the significance: “Dexterity expands the market for humanoid robots.” Sanctuary’s robot, Phoenix, powered by the AI system Carbon, is seen as a breakthrough in human-like intelligence. In 2024, Sanctuary achieved a capital raise, a Microsoft partnership, and deployments at Manga facilities. The company, founded in 2018, continues to pioneer robotics innovation.

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

Automotive 2035 Report: Electrification and AI Dominate

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IBM’s Automotive 2035 study reveals a turbulent transition for the auto industry, with 80% of new cars expected to feature electrified powertrains by 2035. Executives believe vehicles will become software-defined and AI-powered, with 75% citing digital experiences as key to brand value.

The shift toward subscription-based services demands overhauls in software and hardware architecture. Challenges include outdated development tools and a mechanical-driven culture, with R&D budgets for software expected to triple to 58%. IBM’s Jeff Schlageter emphasizes leveraging cloud and AI to accelerate innovation, creating personalized experiences for customers in the software-defined vehicle era.

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

TikTok Appeals National Security Shutdown in Federal Court

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TikTok Canada is appealing a federal order to shut its Canadian offices, arguing Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s decision was both procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence. The November directive, citing unspecified national security concerns, came without dialogue despite TikTok’s offers to address issues, the company claimed in a Federal Court filing.

If upheld, the closure will affect hundreds of employees, cancel over 250,000 ad deals, and harm Canadian creators, TikTok warned. While Champagne has declined to disclose specific security concerns, TikTok is seeking judicial review to prevent the shutdown.

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

Canadian Employers Aim to Boost Hiring in 2025

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Robert Half’s State of Canadian Hiring Survey reveals 46% of companies plan to add new permanent roles in early 2025, while 49% will focus on filling vacancies. Additionally, 54% aim to increase contract hiring for projects.

Growth (47%), turnover (44%), and new projects (41%) are driving hiring. Koula Vasilopoulos of Robert Half emphasizes strong hiring strategies and retention plans to combat delays, burnout, and decreased productivity caused by unfilled roles. The survey highlights risks of delayed hiring, including reduced productivity (40%) and stretched staff bandwidth (39%). Employers must act to meet business goals efficiently.

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

IBM Unveils Breakthrough Optics for AI Data Centers

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IBM has revealed groundbreaking co-packaged optics (CPO) research, enabling optical communication inside data centers for faster AI processing. By using polymer optical waveguides (PWG), IBM’s innovation could deliver 80x faster bandwidth than current chip connections.

    CPO technology promises to reduce energy consumption by over 5x, cut AI model training times from three months to three weeks, and save energy equivalent to 5,000 U.S. homes annually. The innovation boosts chip interconnect density and ensures reliability under extreme conditions. “This breakthrough will future-proof data centers for AI demands,” said Dario Gil, IBM’s SVP of Research.

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