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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Google Unveils AI Milestones at Google Cloud Next 25

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At Google Cloud Next 25 in Las Vegas, CEO Thomas Kurian showcased the company’s AI momentum, revealing over 3,000 product updates in 2024 and surging usage of Gemini and Vertex AI. More than 4 million developers now use Gemini, while Workspace delivers 2 billion monthly AI assists.

Google introduced its most powerful AI chip, Ironwood, and announced $75B in infrastructure investment. Agentspace, a new AI agent platform, and smarter Workspace features mark Google’s bid to lead in enterprise AI. “The opportunity with AI is as big as it gets,” said CEO Sundar Pichai.

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Wealthsimple Acquires Team Behind Fintech Startup Plenty

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Toronto-based fintech Wealthsimple has acquired the team behind San Francisco wealth platform Plenty. Co-founders Emily Luk and Channing Allen will join Wealthsimple’s product and engineering teams, respectively, along with three software developers. Founded in 2021, Plenty helped couples manage finances, including tools for budgeting, joint accounts, and even breakups.

The startup, backed by Inovia Capital, raised nearly $11M CAD and will shut down May 10. Wealthsimple says the team’s experience will enhance its offerings for families and couples. Luk previously held leadership roles at Stripe and Even, while Allen served as technical lead at Even.

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Tailscale Raises USD $160M to Expand Secure Work VPN

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Toronto-based VPN startup Tailscale has secured US$160 million in Series C funding to expand its workplace connectivity platform. The round was led by Accel, with participation from CRV, Insight Partners, Heavybit, and Uncork Capital. CEO Avery Pennarun said the funds will support product development and hiring across engineering, product, and support roles.

Tailscale’s VPN software is used by companies including Instacart and Duolingo, and is gaining traction among AI developers needing fast, secure access between chips and cloud systems. Clients include Cohere, Groq, Hugging Face, and Mistral. Tailscale previously raised US$117M and reached unicorn status in 2022.

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Google Brings Wizard of Oz to Life with AI

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Google and Sphere Entertainment have announced a landmark AI collaboration to reimagine The Wizard of Oz for Sphere’s 16K immersive dome in Las Vegas. Opening August 28, 2025, the project uses Google Cloud and DeepMind’s Gemini, Veo 2, and Imagen 3 models to enhance resolution, extend scenes, and digitally recreate characters.

The film’s restoration, powered by Google’s AI infrastructure, has already processed over 1.2 petabytes of data. Sphere Studios and Magnopus are collaborating on the work, which aims to revolutionize cinematic storytelling—just as Technicolor once did in 1939.

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Shopify Makes AI Use Mandatory for Staff

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Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke has declared the use of artificial intelligence mandatory across the company. In a memo shared internally and on X, Lütke said AI adoption is now a baseline job requirement, with usage factored into employee performance reviews.

Developers must use AI during product prototyping, and additional staffing will only be approved if tasks can’t be accomplished using AI tools. The Ottawa-based firm has deployed internal tools for code generation and review, while its merchant-facing AI suite includes Sidekick and email content generators. Despite a flat hiring outlook, Shopify continues to recruit for AI roles.

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

Calgary’s Helcim Speeds Up Merchant Cash Flow

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Calgary fintech company Helcim has introduced “Faster Deposits,” a new feature that enables small and mid-sized businesses across North America to access funds within minutes of processing credit card transactions. Utilizing real-time networks like Interac Instant, RTP, and FedNow, the system eliminates the standard 1–3 day wait, without extra fees.

Merchants at eligible banks are automatically enrolled after initial transactions. CEO Nic Beique called the feature a “transformation,” addressing common cash flow issues for businesses. Now in beta, Faster Deposits will be fully available by summer 2025.

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

Kepler Launches On-Orbit Compute Service

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Toronto-based Kepler Communications has unveiled a new offering that allows customers to lease or buy edge computing hardware onboard its optical relay satellites, enabling real-time data processing in space. The initiative, supported by its Kepler Network constellation, marks a milestone in on-orbit cloud computing.

Axiom Space will deploy two initial nodes via Kepler’s network to support its orbital data center ambitions. The strategic partnership could enhance mission autonomy, AI capabilities, and secure data relay for civil, commercial, and national security clients. The first Kepler satellites will launch in late 2025.

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UK’s Osney Capital Targets Canadian Cyber Startups

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Osney Capital has closed its first venture capital fund, raising over $92 million to back early-stage cybersecurity startups in the UK and Canada. The UK-based firm is opening a Calgary office led by Adam Cragg, formerly of Innovate Calgary. Cragg emphasized strong UK–Canada ties and noted Canada’s AI, quantum, and data centre strengths.

Osney will invest in up to 30 startups, with cheques between £250,000 and £2.5 million. The British Business Bank led the raise, alongside IronGate Capital Advisors and Canadian family offices. Osney is positioning itself as the only VC focused solely on seed-stage cybersecurity across both countries.

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40% of Shopify’s Interns Come From University of Waterloo

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Tobias Lütke, CEO and co-founder of Shopify, praised the University of Waterloo’s talent pipeline during a fireside chat with university president Vivek Goel. Lütke revealed Shopify hires 40% of its interns from Waterloo, lauding its co-op students as among the best globally. He emphasized Canada’s potential to lead in tech through domestic talent.

Waterloo’s co-op program links over 8,000 employers with students, enriching Canada’s innovation ecosystem. Shopify is now hiring for Fall 2025 Engineering & Data Internships, running September 2 to December 19. Applications open April 7.

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Markets Sink as Trump Tariffs Spark Panic

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U.S. stocks plunged for a second consecutive day as investor anxiety mounted over sweeping tariffs announced by President Trump. The S&P 500 dropped 5.97%, the Dow fell 2,231 points (5.5%), and the Nasdaq slid 5.8%, entering bear territory. The two-day market loss of $6.4 trillion surpasses records from March 2020.

Tech and media giants including Apple, Disney, and Netflix led declines. Trump’s tariffs, effective April 9, target all imports, with steep rates on Chinese and Asian goods. China condemned the move as “bullying.” Analysts warn of recession risks and reduced consumer spending.

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