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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

MDA Space Posts Strong Q3 Despite Lost EchoStar Contract

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MDA Space remains optimistic about fiscal 2025 despite losing a $1.8-billion EchoStar contract after SpaceX purchased the company’s spectrum assets. The Brampton firm posted strong third-quarter results, reporting $409.8 million in revenue—up 45% year-over-year—driven largely by satellite systems, which earned $283.5 million.

Gross profit rose 43% to $108.1 million, and shares climbed eight percent after earnings, though the stock remains down nearly 20% this year. CEO Mike Greenley said over half of MDA’s $20-billion opportunity pipeline involves satellite constellations. MDA also invested $10 million in Maritime Launch to strengthen Canada’s space ecosystem.

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

NorthX Invests $1M to Advance BC Industrial Decarbonization

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NorthX Climate Tech is expanding its support for industrial decarbonization in British Columbia, announcing $1 million in non-dilutive funding for Vertogen Technologies and Rockburst Technology. The investments target emissions-heavy sectors such as waste, mining, and heavy industry. Vertogen aims to cut biogas production timelines by up to 90%, reducing processing from more than 20 days to less than two.

Rockburst’s CoreBurst platform uses pressurized CO₂ to fracture rock, potentially halving mining energy use while storing carbon permanently. NorthX has invested $46 million across 74 projects, unlocking significant private capital. Officials say early investment accelerates BC’s clean-economy growth.

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

Budget 2025 Pushes Canada Toward AI Leadership

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Canada’s 2025 federal budget sets out an ambitious plan to position the country as a leader in artificial intelligence, underscoring AI’s growing economic and social influence. The measures include $925 million over five years for sovereign compute capacity and a new government-developed AI tool created with Canadian firms to strengthen digital sovereignty.

Yet concerns remain. EY’s Responsible AI Pulse Survey shows companies face significant AI-related financial risks, averaging $6.2 million in damages, despite governance progress. Workforce readiness also lags, with only 32 percent preparing for AI-human integration. Canada’s leadership now depends on bold governance and training efforts.

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

Calgary Reclaims Western Canada’s Top VC Position

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Calgary has solidified its status as a national innovation hub, ranking third in Canada for venture capital investment with $341 million across 43 deals, according to new CVCA data. While investment levels dipped from 2024, Calgary surpassed Vancouver to reclaim the top position in Western Canada.

Calgary Economic Development CEO Brad Parry said the city’s momentum reflects years of strategic planning. Alberta recorded 58 deals—its highest national share in recent years—with cleantech leading the surge. Eavor Technologies’ $89-million raise ranked among Canada’s largest. With most provincial VC dollars flowing through Calgary, the city remains Alberta’s innovation engine.

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Visualping Rolls Out AI Upgrade to Cut Digital Noise

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Vancouver-based Visualping has introduced a significant upgrade to its website monitoring platform, unveiling an AI suite intended to curb information overload and improve user focus. Long used by researchers, journalists, analysts, and e-commerce teams, the service now filters out irrelevant website updates and delivers alerts only when user-defined conditions are met.

CEO Serge Salager said the goal is to simplify digital monitoring rather than add noise. New capabilities include natural-language prompts, AI summaries, OCR for visual changes, structured data extraction, and access to premium AI models. The system aims to provide precise intelligence from an ever-changing web.

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

Desjardins Launches Cancer Care Initiative for Personalized Treatment

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With nearly 45% of Canadians expected to face cancer in their lifetime, Desjardins Insurance has launched Cancer Care Focus, a new initiative aimed at simplifying access to personalized support. The program partners with Calgary-born OncoHelix, Ottawa’s Constant Health, and New York–based Sword Health.

Desjardins will offer coverage for OncoHelix’s advanced biomarker testing, which helps identify tumour mutations and guide targeted therapies. Product Director Dr. Neda Nasseri says the goal is to meet members’ physical, emotional, and financial needs while improving early detection. Founded in 1900, Desjardins remains North America’s largest cooperative financial group.

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

Top Down Ventures Defines Managed AI as New Asset Class

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Vancouver-based venture capital firm Top Down Ventures has released The State of MSP Capital in the Age of AI, a 67-page report prepared for its Top Down Horizons MSP Investor Summit. The study analyzes how artificial intelligence, governance, and capital efficiency are transforming the global managed services market, forecast to reach US$950 billion by 2030.

“AI is transforming providers from maintenance partners into intelligence partners,” said Managing Partner Joel Abramson. The report identifies a new “Next-Gen MSP” era driven by automation, operational intelligence, and data transparency. It positions Managed AI as a new asset class for investors.

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

Canadian Private Equity Hits $56.5B Record on Megadeal Boom

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Private equity investment in Canada has surged to record levels, with $56.5 billion deployed so far in 2025—nearly double the previous full-year record set in 2014, according to the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association. The third quarter alone saw $25.4 billion invested across 151 deals, compared to $3.6 billion a year earlier.

A wave of billion-dollar buyouts and other megadeals accounted for 91 percent of all capital deployed. Analysts say the rebound reflects pent-up demand following two slow years amid rising interest rates. Venture capital also saw larger transactions, with nine VC megadeals recorded in the third quarter.

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

Study Finds Young Canadians Most Vulnerable to iGaming Harm

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A new report warns that online gambling is driving a sharp rise in addiction risk among young Canadians. The study, based on nearly 8,000 survey responses, found that 41 per cent of online gamblers met the criteria for problem gambling—compared with less than one per cent of lottery players.

Nearly one in five reported serious financial, emotional, or relationship harm. Among adults aged 18 to 29, one-third said they gamble online, and nearly 70 per cent of them met problem-gambling thresholds. Researchers link the trend to expanded access following legalized single-event sports betting and rising exposure to iGaming advertising.

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

Intel Study Shows Canadian Firms Racing Toward AI Computing

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Canada’s persistent productivity problem may have found a turning point as a new Intel-commissioned study shows businesses rapidly shifting toward AI-powered computing. Of 150 surveyed Canadian decision-makers, 85 percent are upgrading or planning to upgrade to AI PCs, while 3 percent already rely on them exclusively.

Respondents overwhelmingly expect output gains, citing performance, operational efficiency, and cost savings. But barriers remain, including upfront expenses, security concerns, and a significant AI skills gap. With Windows 10 support ending, analysts say modernization is unavoidable. Researchers believe AI PCs could help close Canada’s long-standing productivity gap and reshape digital-era workplace performance.

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