S|W: The SaaS Weekly – Investment in Canadian SaaS almost doubled from 2022 to 2023
Plus: Marc Benioff just can’t make up his mind on RTO.
F|T: The FinTech Times – Feds make new open banking promises to positive reception
Plus: Kraken in SEC’s sights as Binance founder Changpeng Zhao steps down, pleads guilty.
PASQAL, Investissement Québec launch $90-million Quantum Computing initiative
The initiative intends to promote Sherbrooke, Québec as an international quantum hub.
Geomega receives $2 million from NGen for rare earth element recycling plant
Geomega’s recycling plant will help turn magnet scrap into rare earth elements used in electric vehicles.
With $2 million raised to date, Omnicart aims to serve hyperlocal last-mile delivery
Omnicart wants to help local businesses in small towns become their own DoorDash.
A|I: The AI Times – As Sam Altman returns to OpenAI, Cohere CEO slams the “self righteousness” of effective altruism
Plus: Microsoft looks to scale Québec presence with $500-million USD investment.
Active Impact launches $120-million third cleantech fund, Feds release Fall Economic Statement
Plus: OV 3.0: What does the future hold for OMERS Ventures?
H|T: The Healthtech Times – CarePod wants healthcare without health workers
Plus: Medical knowledge platform Pathway raises $5M in seed funding.
R|T: The Retail Times – Shein’s revenue surpasses Zara, Alibaba is worth about half of Tencent
Plus: Is Shopify still an Ottawa darling?
Birdseye closes $4.1 million CAD in seed funding for AI-powered marketing platform
The round comes eight months after Birdseye’s $500,000 USD pre-seed funding round.
Rogers Communications and RBC commit additional $16 million to Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
Catalyst claims more than 7,000 people and 500 businesses participated in its programs over the past five years.
S|W: The SaaS Weekly – Q4 Inc. joins pandemic IPOs returning private, Ambyint returns to Calgary
Plus: Slack names longtime Salesforce executive Denise Dresser as new CEO.
RHA Ventures targets $30 million for second AgTech fund
The firm plans to invest up to $1 million into seed-stage startups.
F|T: The FinTech Times – FreshBooks boots CEO, FinTech leaders pressure Liberals on open banking
Plus: WonderFi has now purchased assets from nearly half of Canada’s regulated crypto trading platforms.
Federal government commits $4.8 million to Knowledge Hub, NACO through Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
The funding is aimed to create educational resources that support women entrepreneurs, investors.