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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Calgary’s PrePad Raises $3.9M to Expand Drilling Tech

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Calgary-based PrePad has raised $3.9 million in seed funding to advance its cloud-based software for drilling and completions. The funding, led by Devon Energy with support from Chevron Technology Ventures, BDC, and Alberta Innovates, will support U.S. expansion and product development. PrePad’s platform helps energy firms optimize well economics by simulating cost, time, and production trade-offs.

CEO Sean Hervo called the round a “major milestone,” positioning PrePad as a leader in drilling software innovation. Clients already include Chevron, Shell, and Birchcliff. With additional subscriptions launching in 2025, the company aims to dominate a newly defined software category.

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

Google Cloud’s Canada Strategy Built on Focus, Not Scale

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At Google Cloud Next 25, Farsad Nasseri, Managing Director of Google Cloud Canada, reflected on the company’s success in Canada, attributing it to a focused, partnership-driven approach. Rather than scale rapidly, Google Cloud partnered early with anchor clients like Shopify, TELUS, and Scotiabank to develop tailored, regulated solutions.

Canadian demand for AI in telecom and finance is rising, with use cases in fraud detection and service automation. With new infrastructure in two regions and support for local data sovereignty, Nasseri sees continued growth ahead. “We’re just getting started,” he said.

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

Agentic AI Gains Ground in Canadian Businesses

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A new KPMG survey reveals growing interest in agentic AI among Canadian business leaders. While only 27% have deployed it, 86% consider it a top investment priority, with 57% planning adoption in six months. Agentic AI uses language models to perform tasks autonomously—handling refunds, customer inquiries, and compliance without human input.

KPMG’s Stephanie Terrill calls it “the most transformative AI” yet. Despite optimism, 55% say their workforce isn’t ready, and 89% foresee major upskilling needs. Cost, data quality, and cybersecurity remain key concerns. Still, 88% believe agentic AI will sharpen competitiveness.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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