Canadian startup news of the week (1/8/23)

Plus: BetaKit is hiring.

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

ApplyBoard announces leadership switch-up, with founding CEO replaced by brother

The company announced the move this week, confirming that Meti Basiri took on the role of CEO in August. Martin Basiri continues to be a member of ApplyBoard’s board of directors.
   


Shopify launches commerce stack for enterprise retail

Toymaker Mattel, the company behind brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Fisher-Price, will be one of Commerce Components’ first users.


Bird Canada takes international counterpart Bird Global under its wing in merger

Bird Global initially announced its merger with Bird Canada in December 2022, describing its Canadian counterpart as its “most successful platform partner.”


Salesforce layoffs show Canadian employees caught in ongoing Big Tech cuts

The customer relationship management software firm shared plans to lay off 10 percent of its staff and reduce its real estate holdings on Wednesday in a regulatory filing.


Vector Institute taps seasoned executive Tony Gaffney to lead AI hub for next five years

Tony Gaffney will take over from Garth Gibson, who the institute said steps down from a five-year term as the institute’s inaugural president and CEO.


BetaKit is hiring across Canada

The publication of record for Canadian startups is growing and needs your talent.

Editor, British Columbia (Jobbio / Gaulin Media)
Editor, Alberta (Jobbio / Gaulin Media)
Editor, Québec (Jobbio / Gaulin Media)
Staff Writer 1-Year Contract (Jobbio / Gaulin Media)


Latest Funding, Acquisitions, and Layoffs

  • VAN – CocoNFT acquired by Metaverse Group (read more)

  • WAT – Darwin AI – $8.1M (read more)

  • HAM – Ackroo acquires Simpliconnect (read more)

  • TOR – Thomson Reuters acquires SurePrep (read more)

  • TOR – Ontario government commits $19M to seven regional tech hubs (read more)

  • TOR – Storytime Capital closes $15M for first fund (read more)

  • TOR – Briza lays off close to half of staff, CEO steps down (read more)

  • TOR – Vector Health Labs acquires Get A-Head (read more)

  • OTT – Federal government commits $90M to five Canadian tech hubs (read more)

  • MTL – NorthStar – $47M (read more)

  • DAR – Ocean Supercluster to contribute $230K for new initiative (read more)


    AI REGULATION IS COMING. WHAT’S CANADA’S APPROACH?

    “The very heart of the bill, and the heart of the law, you wouldn't know what exactly it's applying to.”

    Data governance and AI risk management expert Carole Piovesan joins to discuss the future of AI regulation, privacy, and Bill C-27 before it hits committee.


    WILL CHATGPT REPLACE BETAKIT?

    “We’re at a different place technologically than we were a week ago. Digesting that and figuring out the ramifications I think is a tall order.”

    RBCx's Anthony Mouchantaf (AKA, Tony Dagger) returns one last time in 2022 to help answer listener-submitted questions about: chatGPT, the impact of self-certified investor pilots, work-from-home, and more.


    Subscribe to B|K: The BetaKit Newsletter

    Subscribe to B|K using the form below to ensure the best from BetaKit hits your inbox every week.

    * indicates required




Michael Edgar

Michael Edgar

Michael is a multimedia journalist working out of the U.K. and a staff writer for BetaKit.

0 replies on “Canadian startup news of the week (1/8/23)”