Calgary-based Harvest Builders, as well as healthtech startups Headversity and PurposeMed are among the 15 recipients of a cumulative $25.5 million federal funding.
The investment was made through Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)’s Jobs and Growth Fund, and is expected to support and create over 800 jobs across Alberta’s innovation economy.
The investment is expected to support and create over 800 jobs across Alberta.
The recipients of the PrairiesCan funding range in sectors, including multiple companies from the clean energy, manufacturing, and healthtech industries, among others.
Harvest Builders secured $3 million from PrairiesCan as part of the recent investment to build an online talent platform meant to “close the talent skill gaps startups and scaling technology ventures are faced with,” said Harvest Builders president Graeme Harrison.
Harvest Builders helps startups from the Prairies find talent, resources, and early-stage funding. It was founded in late 2019 by SkipTheDishes co-founder Chris Simair, and has helped co-create companies like Neo Financial.
Since Harvest Builders was established in 2019, it has also received $4 million CAD over three years from The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, and in 2021 launched a venture fund with $14 million CAD to invest in six to eight companies over two years.
Headversity, which provides an employee upskilling platform for mental health, is receiving over $6 million from the pot. Headversity acquired Health Improvement Solutions (HIS) for an undisclosed amount in September 2022. At that time, the startup said it plans to integrate HIS’ health and wellness program, planning evaluation, and related services, into the former’s platform.
In early 2022, Headversity announced the closing of a $12.5 million CAD Series A round to fuel the growth of its software across the United States. The startup said this recent investment will go towards expanding market adoption of its product.
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PurposeMed builds and operates telehealth brands, including HIV prevention services provider Freddie, virtual ADHD clinic Frida, as well as Affirming Care Pharmacy. Of the total $25.5 million investment, PurposeMed received $3.5 million. The startup said this is earmarked for scaling up its operations and “extend the delivery of complex telehealth solutions to at-risk and underserved communities in Canada.”
Other healthcare-related organizations that received funding in this cohort are Kent Imaging ($1.8 million), which provides imaging technology for limb preservation and surgical care; health data platform Lumiio ($1.3 million); and research consultancy Medlior Health Outcomes Research ($584,500).
The group of recipients also includes ICwhatUC (operating as IrisCX), which secured $270,000 of PrairiesCan’s cumulative investment. Using artificial intelligence, IrisCX’s platform allows businesses to provide remote sales and after-sales support. The company previously raised a $680,000 CAD pre-seed round in 2020, and a $1.3 million CAD investment round in 2021.
Other organizations receiving financing from PrairiesCan are: Kathairos ($3.9 million), Excir ($2.5 million), Watts ($1.4 million), Black Owl Systems ($460,500), The Co+Kitchen ($223,500), Krux Analytics ($167,250), The Alberta Food Processors Association ($131,250), and Ammolite Technology ($123,468).
Feature image courtesy Headversity.