BetaKit - Canadian Startup News & Tech Innovation

BDC launches two entrepreneur-led AI programs to make small businesses, and itself, more productive

Alex Riehl November 2, 2026

Connect&GO founder and former Frank & Oak CTO will help SMEs reimagine their relationship with AI and BDC.

Alberta’s plan to scrap DEI in hiring will cost innovation

April Hicke November 2, 2026

April Hicke on why merit-based hiring requires considering diversity and equity.

Transit started by tracking buses. Turning a profit came from understanding riders

Madison McLauchlan November 2, 2026

Fourteen years in, Montréal company now helps agencies measure everything from crowding to service quality.

Why Canada’s Cohere stake has struck a nerve

Josh Scott November 2, 2026

Plus: Wealthsimple and Solink raise big rounds.

Canada to join European supercomputer program, collaborate on tech priorities

Madison McLauchlan October 30, 2026

Announcements were part of feds’ broad partnership with EU.

Platform Calgary unveils 10 most promising startups ahead of Calgary Innovation Week

Jesse Cole October 30, 2026

Celebration of the city’s tech community runs from Nov. 2 to Nov. 5.

Vikash Sangwan holds his arms oustretched, displaying saffron plants in upturned palms.

Saffron Box dreams of one day turning Canada into the next saffron superpower

Jesse Cole October 30, 2026

Founder says vertical farming could make saffron cultivation a lucrative reality, even in Canada’s harsh winters.

Bloomsco's founders stand together on a bridge.

Bloomsco raises $1 million pre-seed from BDC, Telegraph for military training platform

Madison McLauchlan October 30, 2026

Montréal startup was co-founded by former Pressbooks and Dialogue leaders.

Why Trust Is Becoming Essential for Agentic Commerce

Darah Hansen October 30, 2026

As AI agents shop for you, security will depend on understanding identity, intent, authorization, and risk.

Coveo buys Y Combinator alum to bolster AI commerce search

Alex Riehl October 30, 2026

Anglera purchase gives company new tools for enriching product data as more consumers shop with AI assistants.

BetaKit Briefing: Float Controlling AI Spend

Float’s Rob Khazzam on how Canadian companies should rethink AI spending

Darah Hansen October 30, 2026

Five hot takes on controlling costs, questioning hiring plans, and knowing when to let employees experiment.

Cohere deal won’t be last time feds take stake in Canadian tech companies, AI minister says

Madison McLauchlan October 29, 2026

Evan Solomon says forthcoming $500-million tech fund will consider equity stakes.

Canada’s new national security strategy puts tech front and centre

Alex Riehl October 29, 2026

Prime minister promises Canadian tech will “contribute to a more secure and prosperous world.”

PrairiesCan minister says new regional funding shows Canada’s commitment to AI

Jesse Cole October 29, 2026

Feds adding $500 million to support AI adoption programming among small- and medium-sized businesses.

A rendering of a Telesat satellite above Earth.

Telesat posts Q3 losses as satellite company offers “no assurances” on ability to pay back debt

Alex Riehl October 29, 2026

Ottawa-based satellite operator reported $81 million in revenue, a 20-percent decrease from same quarter last year.

What’s in Budget 2026 for Canadian tech?

BDC launches two entrepreneur-led AI programs to make small businesses, and itself, more productive

Alberta’s plan to scrap DEI in hiring will cost innovation

Transit started by tracking buses. Turning a profit came from understanding riders

Feds to buy stake in Cohere via planned $7-billion Series E at $36-billion valuation

Wealthsimple announces $425-million Series F at $13.8-billion valuation

Latest

BDC launches two entrepreneur-led AI programs to make small businesses, and itself, more productive

Alberta’s plan to scrap DEI in hiring will cost innovation

Transit started by tracking buses. Turning a profit came from understanding riders

Why Canada’s Cohere stake has struck a nerve

Canada to join European supercomputer program, collaborate on tech priorities

Platform Calgary unveils 10 most promising startups ahead of Calgary Innovation Week

Saffron Box dreams of one day turning Canada into the next saffron superpower

Bloomsco raises $1 million pre-seed from BDC, Telegraph for military training platform

Why Trust Is Becoming Essential for Agentic Commerce

Coveo buys Y Combinator alum to bolster AI commerce search

Float’s Rob Khazzam on how Canadian companies should rethink AI spending

Cohere deal won’t be last time feds take stake in Canadian tech companies, AI minister says

Canada’s new national security strategy puts tech front and centre

PrairiesCan minister says new regional funding shows Canada’s commitment to AI

Telesat posts Q3 losses as satellite company offers “no assurances” on ability to pay back debt

The BetaKit Podcast

Budget 2026: everything, everywhere, all at once

Kyla Scanlon on why AI dominates the stock market

Why Koho won’t bet on prediction markets

Where quantum and AI intersect

How Canada can keep its AI talent