Four astronauts, including Canadian Jeremy Hansen, are currently sitting in lunar orbit for the first time in more than 50 years. Soon, they’re scheduled to set sights on parts of the moon that have never been seen by human eyes.
Watching Artemis II’s launch on Wednesday stirred feelings rarely summoned by watching the news, at least lately: hope for the future, pride in humanity, and the excitement of collaboration between nations for scientific progress. The moment was only slightly marred by the realization that leaving Earth isn’t enough to save you from having to check your inbox.
Canada plays a key role in the mission beyond Hansen’s historic presence on the Orion spacecraft. As BetaKit wrote on Wednesday: Calgary astronaut Jenni Gibbons will serve as Hansen’s voice-link to Earth; crew trained for the mission in northern Labrador; and Canadian tech is maintaining communication lines between Orion and Earth.
However, those wins seem bittersweet alongside the knowledge that some of the Canadian Space Agency’s forthcoming lunar plans have been scrubbed before they’ll have a chance to launch.
The CSA’s departmental plan shows more than $30 million in spending cuts over the next few years, including cuts to 45 full-time-equivalent roles and the end to Canada’s planned lunar rover mission. NASA has also made changes to the upcoming Artemis III and IV programs that will see a delayed return to the moon’s surface, and a scrapped lunar space station that leaves the future of Canadarm3—a robotic arm for that station—uncertain.
That planned lunar space station wasn’t without criticism. Some, like Carleton University space robotics professor Alex Ellery, have suggested that Canada dream bigger and invest in broader ventures to maximize the scientific and commercial potential of lunar exploration. As Canada looks to cement its sovereignty and innovation in all sectors, including space, perhaps it now has room to consider taking more moonshots.
Sarah Rieger
Managing Editor
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Feds invest $79 million in Aspect Biosystems to develop 3D-printed tissue treatment
The feds are putting significant money behind a $280-million project the Vancouver-based biotech company is financing to improve its 3D-printed cell and tissue therapies.
The company says the project will “significantly enhance” its clinical development and biomanufacturing capacity.
Canada’s first full-stack, university-owned quantum computer comes to USask
Federal and provincial funding will help the University of Saskatchewan install a quantum computer on its Saskatoon campus, for both research and educational purposes. Development partners include Rigetti Computing, which was founded by Saskatchewan’s Chad Rigetti, and Edmonton’s Zero Point Cryogenics.
Hopper’s tech will power RBC’s travel reward program
The Montréal-based company has signed a long-term deal with RBC to help deliver the bank’s Avion Rewards Travel program, which had previously partnered with the US company Expedia.
Avion members will be able to book travel, accommodation, and experiences with their points, as well as insurance-like products like flight rebookings.
Relocalize to build fully autonomous “dark” microfactory in Montréal
The Montréal manufacturing startup is opening its second-ever autonomous microfactory to make cold-chain products like the refrigeration packs in delivery meal kits on demand. CEO Wayne McIntyre said the “dark factory” will be the first of its kind in Canada: no lights on and no humans working in-person shifts.
Venture studio AXL appoints fellows from Nvidia, NASA, Samsung
Toronto-based venture studio AXL is adding nine senior scientists to mentor its startups as they scale from pilots to real-world deployment. AXL CEO Daniel Wigdor said the program aims to select academics who have “real experience translating research into successful products.”
NACO wants feds to use $750 million in VC funding to back startups earlier
The angel investor group’s latest white paper suggests supporting the “early” side of funding gaps, contrasting with growth-side guidance coming out of the CVCA. “If the $750 million is directed only at later stages, we are watering the top of the tree while the roots are dying,” NACO CEO Claudio Rojas told BetaKit.
From the opinion page:
- April Hicke, founder and CEO of tech recruitment platform Toast, writes that Canada is building its AI economy on a foundation that excludes some of its workforce.
- Bryan Watson, managing director of CleanTech North, breaks down the SR&ED and clean economy tax credits in Canada’s budget, now that the bill has received royal assent.
FEATURED STORIES FROM OUR PARTNERS
Why SimplyCast bet early on student talent
SimplyCast CEO Saeed El-Darahali leverages student co-op placements as a strategic talent pipeline, a commitment rooted in his own early struggles to find work without experience. By partnering with programs like ICTC’s WIL Digital, the company integrates students into core product development and real-world projects to drive innovation and long-term recruitment.
Aretek is printing a new path for the construction industry
Markham-based startup Aretek is accelerating the adoption of 3D concrete printing by providing a business operating system that bridges the gap between innovative construction technology and regulatory compliance. By securing Ontario’s first permit for a 3D-printed wall system and partnering with York University for research, the company is establishing the standards necessary to make additive construction a viable solution for the housing crisis.
🇨🇦 Weekly Canadian Deals, Dollars & More
AB-SK – Feds invest over $16M in Prairies cleantech projects
CGY – Carbon Upcycling secures up to $10M USD in financing
ONT – US payment firm Repay to buy Kubra for $372M USD
TOR – ThinkLabs raises $28M USD Series A to manage power grids
TOR – ContactMonkey founder steps down after 16 years
TOR – NGen pledges $79.5M for AI manufacturing projects
OTT – Lockheed Martin Canada invests $3.6M into Lemay.ai for R&D
MTL – Novisto acquires UK-based carbon accounting startup Minimum
How Finance Teams Actually Use AI on April 21
AI adoption in finance is accelerating, but most teams are still figuring out where it actually drives value.
While some organizations are embedding AI into forecasting, reporting, and operational workflows, others remain stuck in experimentation.
So what are high-performing finance teams doing differently?
Join BetaKit and Sage on April 21 for a practical discussion exploring how finance teams are using AI today, and how to turn that insight into measurable results.
Feature image courtesy NASA by Bill Ingalls