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Livescale raises $2.5 million as startup seeks to provide the video backbone for e-commerce (BETAKIT)
The startup classified this round as a “post-seed” round, with Livescale co-founder and CEO Virgile Ollivier telling BetaKit the startup sought to raise capital to extend its runway before raising a larger Series A round in the summer of this year.
NACO West 2021: A national summit with a regional focus
Without reliable access to informed early-stage capital, we risk losing a generation of entrepreneurs and their future economic and social contributions. Over the last decade, NACO members have invested over $1 billion into more than 1,500 ventures. However, we continue to see gaps in the funding ecosystem.
Join us at NACO West 2021 from March 30-31 for conversations at the intersection of entrepreneurship, capital and innovation that will shape the future of Canada’s economic recovery.
Speakers include Chris Simair, managing director at Harvest Builders and co-founder of SkipTheDishes; Laura Kilcrease, CEO of Alberta Innovates; Andrew D’Souza, co-founder & CEO at Clearbanc; Amber Mac, TV host and author and John Stackhouse, author of Planet Canada and senior vice-president, office of the CEO at RBC.
Register here (at no cost) to attend.
Sobeys parent Empire agrees to buy majority stake in Longo’s for $357M (TORONTO STAR)
The deal adds Longo’s 36 Ontario-based stores to Empire’s growing collection of brands, including Sobeys, Farm Boy, Foodland and FreshCo.
Vendasta files for public listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BETAKIT)
Vendasta has yet to price the offering. It is set to be listed on the TSX under the symbol ‘VND.’
Walmart Canada closing 6 stores across country, spending $500M to upgrade others (CBC)
The Mississauga, Ont., based retailer said workers at the closing stores will be offered positions at nearby stores as each of the impacted locations is in a market that is already served by other Walmart stores.
After bootstrapping its way to profitability, Maropost acquires Neto for $58 million CAD (BETAKIT)
Maropost, which aims to help companies with commerce, marketing, clienteling, and referrals, has acquired Australia-based Neto for $58 million CAD.
Why department stores are betting on livestreaming (MODERN RETAIL)
Nordstrom’s first few livestream shopping events seem to be centered around giving customers styling advice from top designers and makeup artists.
AppDirect lands $54.8 million loan from Quebec to expand presence in Montréal (BETAKIT)
The province expects the move to create 730 new jobs in the city over the next five years.
The hidden winners of the pandemic’s e-commerce boom (REST OF WORLD)
As the pandemic pushes e-commerce profits to new heights, logistics companies are seizing the opportunity.
3 tips for SaaS founders forecasting their next fundraise (BETAKIT)
In a recent webcast, Sage Intacct’s David Appel spoke with Dave Kellogg and Mihir Jobalia about their forecasting tips for founders ready to raise.
Amazon keeps getting sued for paying drivers less than minimum wage (VICE)
In February, Seattle-area Amazon drivers received settlement notices that they’d won $8.2 million in a class action settlement pending court approval.
BetaKit Live: Leading Through Change (BETAKIT)
Entrepreneurs, business leaders, and members of the Canadian tech community join for a panel conversation on leading through change Tuesday, March 30.
How Pinduoduo beat Alibaba to become China’s top shopping site (WALL STREET JOURNAL)
The five-year-old company is the first challenger to loosen Alibaba and JD.com’s stranglehold over online consumption in the country.