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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Cohere Launches AI Model Command A to Rival GPT-4o, DeepSeek V3

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Toronto-based Cohere has launched Command A, a new generative AI model designed to deliver high performance with lower processing power. The model runs on just two Nvidia A100 or H100 chips, compared to the dozens required by competitors, making it cost-effective for enterprise adoption.

Cohere claims Command A rivals OpenAI’s GPT-4o and DeepSeek V3 in performance, excelling in academic tasks, retail workflows, and code generation. Integrated into Cohere’s North platform, the model enhances AI agents for HR, finance, and enterprise applications. Pricing remains in line with OpenAI’s GPT-4o.

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

Toronto’s Phoenix Secures $50M to Expand Men’s Digital Healthcare

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Toronto-based Phoenix, Canada’s leading digital health clinic for men, has secured a $50 million Series A round, led by Valspring Capital with support from Y Combinator and CIBC Innovation Banking. Phoenix specializes in telehealth services for conditions often stigmatized, such as erectile dysfunction, weight loss, and hair loss.

With 6.5 million Canadians lacking a regular care provider, Phoenix helps bridge the healthcare gap by connecting patients with doctors and delivering prescriptions discreetly. Co-CEOs Kevin Bache and Gavin Thompson say the funding will expand operations, grow their team, and increase access to care.

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

Google to Acquire Canadian Eye-Tracking Startup AdHawk for $115M

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Google is finalizing a $115 million acquisition of AdHawk Microsystems, a Waterloo-based eye-tracking startup. The deal includes $15 million in performance-based incentives. Founded in 2017, AdHawk develops low-power eye-tracking chips, hardware, and software, enabling devices to track gaze more efficiently than traditional sensors.

The acquisition aligns with Google’s renewed push into smart glasses following the discontinuation of Google Glass. AdHawk’s team will join Google’s Android XR division, supporting next-gen headset and smart glasses development. Google’s interest in AI-powered wearable tech continues, bolstered by its collaboration on Samsung’s upcoming Moohan headset.

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

Canadian Officials Probe Tesla’s $43M EV Rebate Surge

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Canadian officials are investigating an unusual spike in Tesla sales that occurred just before the federal EV rebate program was paused in January. Over three days, Tesla sold 8,600 vehicles, securing $43 million in government rebates. A Toronto location alone reported 1,200 sales on January 11, raising concerns about potential misuse.

The Canadian Automobile Dealers Association has urged Transport Canada to review whether the registrations were legitimate. The EV rebate program, which has supported 500,000+ vehicle purchases, was suspended on January 13, prompting officials to examine Tesla’s role in the last-minute sales surge.

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

Starlink to Lose Quebec Contract as Province Seeks New Providers

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The Quebec government has announced it will not renew its $136 million contract with Starlink, set to expire in June. The three-year agreement provided high-speed internet to underserved rural areas. With the contract’s end approaching, competitors are now lobbying to secure the province’s rural internet services.

Quebec continues to prioritize expanding connectivity in remote communities, seeking affordable and reliable alternatives for residents. This decision marks a shift in the province’s approach to rural broadband, inviting new providers to step in as Starlink exits.

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

Zolve to Launch in Canada, Expanding Immigrant Banking Services

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Zolve, a neobank specializing in financial services for skilled immigrants, is set to launch in Canada this summer as part of its global expansion. The move follows a $251 million funding round, comprising $51 million in equity and $200 million in debt.

Founded in 2021, Zolve addresses the credit access gap faced by newcomers lacking local credit history, enabling them to secure credit cards, loans, and banking services upon arrival. With 750,000 customers and $1.2 billion in transactions, the startup is expanding beyond the U.S. market into Canada, the U.K., and Australia.

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

Novarc Secures $50M to Advance AI-Driven Welding Tech

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North Vancouver-based Novarc Technologies has secured $50 million in Series B funding to advance its AI-driven robotic welding solutions. Export Development Canada (EDC) led the round, with participation from Graham Partners, Seaspan, and InBC Investment Corp. Novarc’s NovAI™ system leverages machine vision, deep neural networks, and real-time adjustments to improve welding automation.

Unlike traditional robotic systems, NovAI eliminates prescanning and reprogramming, streamlining production. CEO Soroush Karimzadeh emphasized investor confidence in Novarc’s mission to revolutionize welding automation. The company plans to launch NovAI Autonomy commercially in Summer 2025.

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

General Fusion Hits Key Milestone with Lawson Machine 26

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Burnaby-based General Fusion has achieved a major milestone in its Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) technology, successfully forming a magnetized plasma inside its Lawson Machine 26 (LM26). The company now aims to compress these plasmas using a lithium liner to generate fusion, progressing toward commercial zero-carbon fusion energy.

LM26, built in just 16 months, is targeting temperatures of 10 million and 100 million degrees Celsius, with the ultimate goal of achieving scientific breakeven. Founder Dr. Michel Laberge highlighted the company’s extensive research, saying, “We’re ready to make some fusion happen in LM26!”

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

Canada Growth Fund Invests $58M in Smart EV Charging Firm dcbel

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The Canada Growth Fund (CGF) has invested $58 million in dcbel, a Montreal-based company developing bidirectional EV charging and home energy management solutions. The funding, part of an $80 million round with Idealist Climate Impact Fund LP and others, will support dcbel’s expansion in North America and Europe while maintaining its Canadian headquarters and intellectual property.

dcbel’s Ara home energy system integrates solar storage, EV charging, and AI-powered energy optimization to cut costs and boost resilience. CGF has now invested $2.3 billion in Canadian cleantech, backing firms driving sustainable energy innovation.

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

Canada’s EV Charging Network Grows 24% Year-Over-Year

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Despite challenges in the EV sector, Canada’s public charging network expanded significantly, growing 24.2% year-over-year, according to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Between March 2024 and March 2025, 6,586 new public charging ports were added across 1,559 new stations, bringing the national total to 33,767 ports across 12,955 locations.

Level 2 chargers increased 23.4%, while DC fast chargers saw a 27.8% boost. The expansion provides much-needed infrastructure as EV adoption continues, offering more convenient charging options for Canadian drivers despite industry uncertainty.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Electric Autonomy Canada.