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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Startup Holdr Reimagines Music Monetization

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Vancouver-based Holdr is introducing a new model for artist monetization, offering musicians an exclusive one-time membership for their most dedicated fans. Co-founded by Aneesh Varshney and Buk Nkosi, Holdr allows artists to sell 1,000 lifetime memberships, granting fans perks like unreleased music, free tickets, and digital experiences.

Unlike Patreon’s subscription model, Holdr lets fans auction for access, creating a long-term revenue stream for artists. The startup has already secured high-profile investors, including Hootsuite’s Ryan Holmes and executives from Universal Music. Holdr is now raising $1.5 million to expand globally.

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

Northleaf Invests $100M in Shared Tower to Expand Connectivity

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Northleaf Capital Partners has committed C$100 million to Shared Tower, a carrier-neutral communications infrastructure provider based in Oakville, Ontario. The investment aims to accelerate Shared Tower’s expansion under its shared infrastructure model, enhancing connectivity across Canada.

Founded in 2021 by CEO Dan Gibbons, Shared Tower operates long-term contracts with service providers. Northleaf’s Managing Director Chris Rigobon highlighted the company’s proven track record in project execution. Northleaf, which manages US$28 billion in private markets investments, sees this deal as a strong fit for its infrastructure strategy, benefiting institutional investors globally.

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

Canadian Subsea Tech Firm Kraken Expands with 3D at Depth Merger

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Kraken Robotics has signed a $25 million merger agreement to acquire 3D at Depth, a leading U.S.-based subsea LiDAR technology firm. The acquisition, expected to close April 1, 2025, will enhance Kraken’s marine survey capabilities with 3D at Depth’s high-resolution underwater LiDAR technology, serving offshore oil and gas, defense, and renewable energy sectors.

3D at Depth, headquartered in Colorado, has 60+ clients worldwide and generated USD $14 million in 2024 revenue. The merger strengthens Kraken’s subsea asset inspection portfolio, expanding service offerings and advancing digital twin technology applications.

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

BBI Restructures to Navigate Gaming Industry Challenges

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Vancouver-based Blackbird Interactive (BBI) has announced a strategic plan to secure long-term stability, including a minority investment from Emona Capital, leadership restructuring, and a renewed focus on external development partnerships.

Founder Rob Cunningham will shift to board chair, while Eric Torin takes over as CEO and Rory McGuire assumes the role of chief creative officer. Emona Capital’s backing provides resources for new projects and partnerships. Torin emphasized that industry shifts require bold decisions to ensure sustainability and innovation. Vancouver remains Canada’s second-largest gaming hub, with nearly 150 studios and 11,000 workers.

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

Clio Moves Into Big Law with Strategic ShareDo Acquisition

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Vancouver-based Clio has acquired UK-based ShareDo, an adaptive work management platform for large law firms, expanding beyond its traditional focus on solo and mid-sized practices. The move follows Clio’s record-breaking $900 million Series F round in 2024, the largest in Canadian history.

ShareDo, founded in 2011, specializes in case and matter management software, streamlining operations for firms across the UK, U.S., Canada, and Australia. Clio CEO Jack Newton called the acquisition a transformational step in legal tech. Ben Nicholson, ShareDo’s CEO, will become General Manager, overseeing future growth.

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

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.

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.

Rogers Takes Top Spot for Internet Reliability in Canada

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Rogers Communications has been named Canada’s most reliable internet provider by Opensignal, a leading independent network analytics firm. The report highlights Rogers’ wins in reliability, consistent quality, and download speeds. The recognition follows last month’s designation of Rogers as Canada’s most reliable wireless network.

President Bret Leech credited the achievement to Rogers Xfinity, while CTO Mark Kennedy emphasized the company’s $70 billion network investment over two decades. Rogers plans to expand multi-gig speeds to eight million homes this year, continuing its push for enhanced internet reliability and performance.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on iPhone in Canada.

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.