How Startupfest pivoted from Canadian tech summer camp to a ‘hybrid’ event
Unlike other major tech events in Canada, which look to attract the world’s attention (RIP Elevate), Startupfest has a unique…
Black Swan #16: Minister Bains explains the feds’ COVID-19 response
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the federal government has had a direct hand in supplying support to sustain the Canadian…
Black Swan #15: The evolving business of preparing for death
This week, we continue to investigate the ways in which different Canadian tech sectors are responding to the challenges presented…
Black Swan #14: Disrupting startup culture and why Canadian FinTechs are pissed
Somehow we’re halfway through 2020. Anyone else need a break? “Wubba lubba dub dub!” We’re rapidly approaching…
Tom Keiser to replace Ryan Holmes as CEO of Hootsuite
Vancouver-based Hootsuite has appointed Tom Keiser, former chief operating officer at San Francisco-based Zendesk, as its new…
Black Swan #13: The Help List
When the pandemic hit in mid-March, within days, so too did the layoffs. “We were witnessing the rapid decline of job…
Oxford reportedly moving forward with OCE proposal for OneEleven
Oxford Properties has reportedly chosen a proposal from the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) to take over recently closed…
Black Swan #11: A Canadian in the Valley
If you weren’t aware, allow me to confirm: the Black Swan podcast is co-hosted by two white males living in Canada. Both…
Multiple organizations bidding to acquire OneEleven from Oxford
Multiple organizations in Toronto’s tech ecosystem are currently vying to take over recently shuttered incubator OneEleven…
BetaKit, Jobbio, and TalentMinded team up to help unemployed Canadian tech workers BounceBack
It’s BetaKit’s mission to be a useful resource for the Canadian tech ecosystem. That mission expresses itself in different…
Black Swan #10 – Please register for our virtual event
I’m not supposed to be here. I know. We’re all thinking that, and it’s true for everyone. But I was literally supposed…
Black Swan #9 – Calgary and Toronto look to stop the bleeding
It’s been two weeks since our last episode, and there’s a reason for that. Black Swan was launched shortly after the pandemic…
OneEleven asks startups for abated rent, then retracts, claiming “misunderstanding”
OneEleven startups are reeling over a notice sent to them today asking for the payment of rent they were previously told would…
Black Swan #8 – Building the Canadian Shield
I need PPE. You need PPE. We all need PPE. Here’s a story about the Canadian startup that pivoted to provide. “I get…
How Shopify turns ideas into insights
In these unprecedented times, entrepreneurs need all the help they can get. BetaKit has teamed up with Microsoft for Startups…