Welcome to BetaKit’s startup stories of the week! Here, you will find the week’s most important news, features, and editorials published on BetaKit. If you prefer this update hit your inbox every week, make sure to subscribe to the BetaKit Newsletter using the form at the bottom of this page.
Top Stories of the Week
What’s stopping Lyft and Uber from coming to BC?(BETAKIT)
BetaKit took a look at BC’s regulatory framework to understand what’s pumping the brakes on ridesharing in the province.
The State of Canadian SaaS(BETAKIT)
Mark MacLeod, founder of SurePath Capital Partners and advisor and to SaaS and commerce companies, shares his insights on how ‘SaaSy’ Canada is.
FinTech investment in Toronto region grows by 10 times over five years, report finds(BETAKIT)
Investments for FinTech startups in the Toronto region grew to a total of almost $221 million across 25 deals in 2018.
Shopify expands retail presence as company fights for “heart and soul” of commerce(BETAKIT)
“The data captured on behalf of our merchants belongs to those merchants, it’s as simple as that.”
OMERS Ventures expands to Europe with sole-sourced €300 million fund(BETAKIT)
While OMERS has made good on its European expansion promise, Head of Ventures Damien Steel says Asia may still be years away.
Startup Milestones
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Clear Blue Technologies receives $1 million loan, backed by EDC (Read here)
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Toronto vape startup Green Tank raises $14 million CAD Series A (Read here)
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Laurier University students raises $1 million for road-safety, impairment device startup (Read here)
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Innerspace closes $3.2 million seed round led by BDC’s Women in Tech Fund (Read here)
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Finaeo raises $5.35 million CAD to help create ‘the Amazon of the insurance industry’ (Read here)
Must Reads
What #Budget2019 got right for Canadian tech(BETAKIT)
PwC’s experts break down the good in Budget 2019, and also provide Canadian tech’s wish list for 2020.
Ask an Investor: How can I create optionality after I get an acquisition offer?(BETAKIT)
No matter what stage your business is in, optionality is something you can be proactively driving towards before an acquisition comes your way.
Why 2019 will reveal Canada’s new tech darling (CanCon ep. 139)
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