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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

EQ Bank Enters Business Market with New Digital Platform

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EQ Bank has expanded its challenger-bank model to Canadian small businesses with the launch of its new Business Banking platform. The digital service offers a 2.25 percent high-interest account, Business GICs up to 3.30 percent, no monthly fees, and ten sub-accounts for taxes and payroll. Backed by Canada-based support, the move targets owners frustrated by high fees and low returns.

“Entrepreneurs deserve a banking experience that reflects their ambition,” said Dan Broten, SVP of EQ Bank. A prepaid Business Card with cash-back rewards is next, bringing long-overdue competition to the business-banking market.

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

More Women Than Men Now Play Video Games in Canada

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The Entertainment Software Association of Canada has released a new global report showing that video gaming has become a national pastime across all demographics. Women now represent 51 percent of Canadian players, and the pastime spans generations, with 35 percent aged 55 and over. Mobile phones lead as the preferred platform for 52 percent of players.

Canadians play for enjoyment, stress relief, and connection, with 80 percent saying games help them relax and 57 percent crediting them for overcoming tough times. The study also found that 74 percent believe gaming unites people from diverse backgrounds.

Want to know more? Check out the source code here.

Energy Storage Poised to Power Canada’s Future

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For more than a century, Canada’s prosperity has been built on clean electricity—hydroelectric in B.C. and Quebec, nuclear in Ontario, renewables across the Prairies. But surging demand from electrification and AI threatens that advantage. Governments are responding with record-breaking calls for power, yet hydro and nuclear projects face rising costs. Renewables are cheaper but unreliable without storage.

Energy storage offers balance—capturing surplus power and releasing it when needed. Projects like Ontario’s 250-megawatt Oneida battery show progress, while Canadian innovators such as Moment Energy, Invinity, and Aqua-Cell are pioneering new solutions to secure Canada’s energy future.

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

Canadian AI Startup Alexi Partners with Global Platform iManage

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Toronto-based legal AI company Alexi has partnered with iManage, the global knowledge-work platform used by over a million professionals. The integration allows law firms to search and leverage documents within iManage, generate AI outputs in Alexi, and save results securely back into their existing system. It eliminates manual transfers, ensuring compliance and continuity.

Alexi CEO Mark Doble said the partnership helps firms “move seamlessly from information to insight.” iManage AI Director Paul Bower called it an example of “AI Confidence,” where trust and governance define adoption. Together, they’re linking Canadian AI innovation with global legal infrastructure.

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

Helcim Partners With Verizon to Expand in U.S.

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Calgary-based Helcim has signed a strategic agreement with U.S. telecom giant Verizon, becoming the first payments provider embedded in Verizon’s new business marketplace. The partnership gives Helcim a powerful channel to expand its customer base across the United States.

Unlike vertical fintechs that focus on single industries, Helcim built a horizontal platform serving diverse businesses—from dental clinics to distributors. CEO Nic Beique said the company’s universal design aligned with Verizon’s 2 million small-business customers. Helcim recently reported 743 percent three-year growth, employing 150 staff and surpassing $50 million in 2024 revenue.

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

Cyclic Materials Joins MIT’s Global Climate Tech Watch List

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Cyclic Materials is putting Canada on the global cleantech map. The Toronto-based startup just landed on MIT Technology Review’s 2025 list of top 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch—Canada’s sole representative.

Founded in 2021, Cyclic is tackling the rare earth recycling gap, where less than 1% of critical elements like Neodymium and Dysprosium are reused. The company is investing $34M to open a 140,000-square-foot recycling and R&D hub in Ontario by 2026. “We’re securing the most critical elements of the energy transition through circular innovation,” said CEO Ahmad Ghahreman.

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

Nextdoor’s Treat Map Helps Canadians Plan a Safer Halloween

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Halloween just got smarter — and safer. Nextdoor’s Treat Map is back, helping Canadians plan the ultimate trick-or-treat routes. Families can pin their homes, show off decorations, and even flag allergy-friendly treats. The 2024 survey with Angus Reid found 6 in 10 Canadians want more safety measures, especially around road safety (63%) and neighbourhood supervision (36%).

To help, Nextdoor’s new Alerts map delivers real-time updates on closures and incidents. “The Treat Map is about peace of mind and community connection,” said Nextdoor’s Kelsey Grady. Together, neighbours are turning Halloween into a safer, sweeter night.

Want to know more? Check out the source code here.

IBM Partners with Anthropic to Embed Claude in Enterprise AI

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IBM and Anthropic have announced a strategic partnership to integrate Anthropic’s Claude large language models into IBM’s enterprise software portfolio. The collaboration begins with IBM’s new AI-first integrated development environment (IDE), now in private preview with 6,000 internal users reporting 45% productivity gains.

The partnership aims to accelerate enterprise-grade AI adoption by combining Anthropic’s safe, reliable models with IBM’s strengths in hybrid cloud, security, and regulated-industry delivery. “We’re giving development teams AI that fits how enterprises work,” said IBM Software SVP Dinesh Nirmal. Anthropic CPO Mike Krieger called the collaboration “a step toward truly trustworthy business-ready AI.”

Want to know more? Check out the source code here.

Radical Ventures Closes $900M Fund for AI Startups

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Toronto-based Radical Ventures has closed a $900 million fund to back early-stage artificial intelligence startups globally. The new fund replaces the firm’s 2023 vehicle and marks Radical’s sixth overall. Backed by institutional investors, including a US$75-million contribution from the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board—which has now invested US$280 million across Radical funds since 2019—the fund will begin deploying capital imminently.

Founded in 2017 by Jordan Jacobs, Radical has invested in leading AI firms such as Cohere, Waabi, and Xanadu. The firm also operates an $800-million growth fund launched in 2024 targeting later-stage AI companies.

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

Calgary Ranks Among World’s Top Startup Universities

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The University of Calgary has jumped 38 places in PitchBook’s 2025 global rankings of venture-backed founders, underscoring its strength as an entrepreneurial hub. Since 2014, UCalgary alumni have founded 189 startups, raising $3.4 billion in capital across sectors including tech, energy, and finance. Companies such as Dapper Labs, Eavor, Neo Financial, Pairwise, and Expa highlight its reach.

UCalgary also leads Canada in research-based startup creation, launching 105 ventures over six years. “Our ranking reflects UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem,” said vice-president (research) Dr. William Ghali. The university joined Toronto among eight Canadian schools recognized.

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